OMELIE / Omelie EN

18 ott 2026

18 October 2026 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

18 October 2026 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

1st reading: Is 45:1, 4–6; Psalm 95; 2nd reading: 1 Thess 1:1–5; Gospel: Mt 22:15–21

Those who live in the Kingdom of Heaven, remaining attentive to and obedient to the King sent by God, what sort of relationship can or must they have with the members and authorities of the kingdoms of this world? Must they regard themselves as entirely separate from them, or can they have responsibilities, duties, and the opportunity to maintain relationships with everyone? It seems that this is the theme addressed by today’s readings.

The prophet Isaiah pauses to consider the actions of King Cyrus of Persia. Having seized power from the dynasty of Nebuchadnezzar in the sixth century BC, unlike previous rulers, he respected the religions of the peoples who fell under his rule. And so he also allowed the Jews, who had been exiled to Mesopotamia for seventy years, to return to their homeland if they so wished. He permitted them to rebuild the city and even the temple in Jerusalem. He also provided the necessary financial support for these projects.

Many Jews took advantage of this policy, so much so that it seemed to them that this new king was a great gift from God, guided by Him, even though he did not know Him: ‘I have called you by name; I have appointed you, though you do not know Me.’ The prophet Isaiah bears beautiful witness to this. This king’s decisions are truly willed by God, who blesses him and grants him prosperity. Thanks to his decisions, the God of Israel can be known by many peoples as the true God, who loves everyone and is present to all: ‘So that they may know from the east and the west that there is none besides me. I am the Lord; there is no other.’

When the Pharisees and Herodians approached Jesus in an attempt to catch him in a slip of the tongue, so that they might accuse and condemn him, they drew on the mindset—still widespread amongst the Jewish people—that the rulers of the nations are, in any case, enemies with whom one must never agree. They had forgotten the words Isaiah spoke on God’s behalf to Cyrus. The question they put to the Lord is a trap. If he were to reply that one may pay taxes to Caesar, he would fall out of favour with the Pharisees, who were bound by the rule not to collaborate with enemies. If he were to reply that one must not pay them, he would be an enemy of Herod, who is forced to get on terms with the Romans.

To entice Jesus into answering, they begin with flattering words: ‘We know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.’ Jesus recognises the insincere tone of their statement: indeed, they have never sought to listen to him as a Teacher, nor have they ever shown any intention of obeying him.

Once again, Jesus does not respond out of impulse, but—though the evangelist does not say so—he keeps his eyes, ears and heart turned towards his Father. It is that God who blessed Cyrus and used him for the sake of his people, even though he was a pagan and an idolater. God can also use Tiberius Caesar to benefit his children. However, they must not and cannot forget that their lives have always been in the hands of that Father, to whom they owe their very existence and the Ten Commandments, the prophets and their promises, and above all the Messiah who is coming to take away the sin of the world, as already announced by John the Baptist.

Jesus therefore replies with confidence and freedom: to Caesar? Give him what is his. He benefits you through his initiatives. You may give him the money he asks for. Indeed, for you Pharisees, who care so much for the Law, his money ought not even to be in your pockets: for it bears an image that contradicts the commandment and the blasphemous inscription ‘Tiberius Caesar, divi filius’. Go ahead and give it to him. But do not forget that everything else comes to you from on high; do not forget that you have a pressing duty to make known to everyone, even to Caesar, the mercy and faithfulness of your God. Your heart belongs to him. Always give it to him, in its entirety, without keeping any part of it for your own interests.

This is what the Thessalonians are doing, so much so that Saint Paul gives thanks to God for it with all his heart. And he reminds us that ‘you have been chosen by him’, and for this reason your faith and your hope bear the fruit of exemplary charity.

Let us too give our hearts, our lives and our desires to Jesus, so that everything about us may belong to God! We shall be a witness to all peoples of the goodness and mercy of that God who is not only the God of the Jews, but of all people. It is our mission to make him known as the Father of all!