29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mt 22:15-21
October 22, 2023

Pope Francis raised more than eyebrows last summer with his comment that elements within the U.S. Catholic Church have become politicalized, often placing ideology above faith. Rather than insulting or upsetting us, his observation should be taken to heart and included in our examination of conscience…as Church and as individuals.

This week’s Gospel is a sad commentary on the lengths to which some people will go in order to protect their own status, authority, or ideas and views. Of course, The Lord saw through the hypocrisy at work and sidestepped the controversy. The efforts to trick Jesus by drawing Him into a political fire storm were a failure, although this encounter was undoubtedly “spun” into evidence against Him later on.

However, there was an immediate loser here. THEM!

They lost the opportunity to hear The Word of God taken Flesh speaking directly to them. They were blinded to The Real Presence of God in their midst. They closed their minds to what God was asking of them in order to promote The Kingdom here and now. They hardened their hearts against GOOD NEWS and continued to promote FAKE NEWS!

Politicizing our faith can result in heavy losses. Pope Francis, I would argue, based on this Gospel, was right to caution against it. Moreover, the Holy Father has gone to great lengths to ensure that ideology is left at the door of the Synod so that our Christian Faith might grow and flourish in this 21st century.

The October meetings of the Synod on Synodality involve five modules. The first was entitled: “Synodality.” The Synod began its work by exploring the process itself. The first session was intended to lay a solid foundation upon which to support its further work.

The next three modules are where the delegates get down to business. There are 35 round tables, each seating 12 delegates, organized according to languages to minimize the chance of misunderstanding and to promote communication. English is the “lingua franca” spoken at 14 tables. (The Holy Father Himself is seated at one of these tables, like every other participant.)

The second module was entitled: “Communion.” Basically, we are asking the Holy Spirit to inspire us to find ways to relate to one another in more meaningful ways. The Synod has now moved on to “Mission.” Simply put: “What are we in this world for?” Finally, and of great importance, is the subject of “Participation.” Each of the Baptized has an important role in building the Kingdom and sharing the Good News.

The Synod will conclude…somewhat like we are sent forth after Mass…delegates going back into the world to further ponder COMMUNION, MISSION, and PARTICIPATION…while the documents generated during the Synod are integrated into a single and meaningful statement of what the Holy Spirit is saying to the universal Church.

Francis has encouraged that, at every phase of this “coming together of the Body of Christ,” the faithful SPEAK BOLDLY. But, he has also encouraged PRAYER and REFLECTION, so that even as we LISTEN to one another, we HEAR the Holy Spirit speaking to us.

Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.

What is it that we owe to God?

Could it be that we turn a deaf ear to any ideology that attempts to drown out The Good News that God speaks to us through The Gospel?

Do we “owe God” the effort to see The Real Presence of Christ in our midst…through all God has created…so that a sense of true COMMUNION prevails?

Do we “owe God” a genuine sense of open-mindedness to what our MISSION in the world is…devoid of limits our own self-interest threaten to impose?

Do we “owe God” open hearts, receptive only to truth and committed to PARTICIPATION in sharing that truth by being faithful to the Gospel?

These are questions that The Synod is working to answer. However, they are also questions that we should be exploring in our Diocese, our parishes, and in our homes.

What do we owe God?