29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 22:15-21
”Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar'

Reflection
Matthew 22:15-21

POINTS TO PONDER

World Mission Sunday

From the question posed to him by the Pharisees, Jesus draws a more radical and vital question for each of us, a question we can ask ourselves: to whom do I belong? To family, to the city, to friends, to work, to politics, to the State? Yes, of course. But first and foremost – Jesus reminds us – you belong to God.

This is the fundamental belonging. It is He who has given you all that you are and have. And therefore, day by day, we can and must live our life in recognition of this fundamental belonging and in heartfelt gratitude toward our Father, who creates each one of us individually, unrepeatable, but always according to the image of his beloved Son, Jesus. It is a wondrous mystery.

Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in the human and social spheres without comparing ‘God’ and ‘Caesar;’ comparing God and Caesar would be a fundamentalist approach. Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in earthly realities but illuminating them with the light that comes from God.

The primary entrustment to God and hope in him do not imply an escape from reality, but rather the diligent rendering to God that which belongs to him. This is why a believer looks to the future reality, that of God, so as to live earthly life to the fullest, and to meet its challenges with courage.

May the Virgin Mary help us to always live in conformity with the image of God that we bear within us, inside, also offering our contribution to the building of the earthly city.

Pope Francis Angelus St Peter’s Square, 22 July 2017 Intercom Oct 2026