Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 45:1,4-6

The Lord chooses Cyrus to subdue the nations for the sake of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 96:1,3-10

Sing praise to the Lord.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Paul greets the Thessalonians, recalling the Gospel they received.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees send their disciples to test Jesus with a question about taxes.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today’s Gospel Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem continue their tense exchange of questions and challenges. At this point the disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, try to entrap Jesus by their question about the payment of taxes.

Matthew sets up an unusual partnership between the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Herodians were supporters of Herod Antipas, a Jewish political leader who collaborated with the Romans. Such collaboration would have required a compromised observance of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees, on the other hand, taught scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law and opposed Roman occupation. Herodians favored the payment of taxes; the Pharisees opposed it. The Herodians and the Pharisees approach Jesus, asking that he take sides in their dispute. If Jesus answers with the Pharisees, he shows himself to be an enemy of Rome. If he answers with the Herodians, he offends popular Jewish religious sensibilities.

Jesus’ response to this attempt to trap him exposes the guile of his questioners. From his first words to them, Jesus shows that he is very much aware of what they are trying to do. He asks to see a Roman coin, which is readily provided to him. It may have come from the hand of a Herodian, but the Pharisees show themselves to be quite willing to accept this compromise. Jesus has already exposed the Pharisees as hypocrites.

Jesus takes his response one step further. He asks that his questioners examine the coin. Agreeing that it is Caesar’s image on the coin, Jesus tells them that it must belong to Caesar. Avoiding the question of lawfulness altogether, Jesus answers their question with simple logic. Then, going further still, Jesus tells them that their obligation is to pay to God that which belongs to God.

Jesus’ response to the Herodians and Pharisees suggests the ethic that Christians ought to adopt. It reminds us of the importance of keeping things in their proper perspective. Do we attach ourselves to worldly things at the expense of the love and honor that we owe to God?

O God Beyond All Praising, We Worship You Today



This hymn has become very popular in recent years. The words were written by Michael A Perry in 1982. It uses the already existing melody/tune THAXTED.

Does the Bible Teach Separation of Church and State?

Jesus’ statement “Render unto Caesar… and unto God…” affirms that civil authority has legitimate claims, but God’s authority is ultimate and comprehensive. The passage does not endorse secularism or a strict division between religion and government.

The Pharisees and Herodians were debating loyalty to Rome, not designing constitutional frameworks. Jesus’ audience lived under an imperial system where religion and politics were intertwined. The idea of a secular state independent of religion is a modern invention, not a biblical category.

Commentators note that Jesus recognizes: 1.) Civil authority as a legitimate, God‑permitted structure, and 2.) Divine authority as absolute. Civil obedience is required only up to the point where it violates conscience or worship. That is not separation—it is subordination.

Matthew 22:21 is not a call to separate religion from public life. It is a call to: Respect civil authority; Reject putting politics above faith; and Place God’s claim above every earthly claim.

Jesus is not dividing the world into two sovereign realms; He is placing world governments under God’s rule. Catholics have a right and responsibility to let government leaders know when their policies violate God’s laws.

Advent Food Drive

The Knights of Columbus will be collecting items for the Annual Food Drive to benefit:

St Patrick Parish Food Bank, Showers of Blessings, and Catholic Charities

SAVE THE DATE—

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18



2nd Annual St. Patrick Catholic Church 

Trunk or Treat

To participate or to volunteer, please email 

Erin Daraskavich—erinangelo@gmail.com

Reflexión del Párroco

XXIX Domingo ordinario

En el Evangelio de este domingo, los fariseos intentan tender una trampa a Jesús preguntándole: «¿Es lícito pagar el impuesto al César o no?». No buscan aprender ni descubrir la verdad; buscan desacreditarlo. Sin embargo, Jesús responde con una sabiduría que supera toda expectativa: «Den al César lo que es del César, y a Dios lo que es de Dios».

A primera vista, este pasaje parece referirse únicamente a los impuestos y a las responsabilidades civiles. Sin embargo, Jesús nos invita a profundizar mucho más. Al mostrar la moneda, pregunta de quién es la imagen grabada en ella. La respuesta es clara: es la imagen del César. Por eso la moneda le pertenece. Pero cada uno de nosotros lleva grabada otra imagen mucho más importante: la imagen y semejanza de Dios. Por lo tanto, si la moneda pertenece al César, nuestra vida entera pertenece al Señor.

Vivimos en un mundo donde muchas cosas compiten por nuestro corazón: el trabajo, el dinero, la política, las preocupaciones diarias, la tecnología y los deseos personales. Sin darnos cuenta, podemos terminar dando más tiempo y energía a estas realidades que a nuestra relación con Dios. El Evangelio de hoy nos invita a preguntarnos: ¿qué lugar ocupa Dios en mi vida? ¿Le entrego solamente los momentos que me sobran o le ofrezco lo mejor de mí?

La primera lectura, tomada del profeta Isaías, nos recuerda que Dios es el Señor de la historia. Incluso utiliza al rey Ciro, un gobernante pagano, como instrumento de su plan de salvación. Esto nos enseña que Dios actúa incluso cuando no comprendemos completamente los acontecimientos que nos rodean. Su providencia guía la vida de los pueblos y de cada persona.

San Pablo, en la segunda lectura, felicita a los cristianos de Tesalónica por vivir con fe, esperanza y caridad. Estas virtudes siguen siendo esenciales para nosotros hoy. La fe nos ayuda a confiar en Dios, la esperanza nos sostiene en las dificultades y la caridad nos impulsa a amar y servir a nuestros hermanos.

Al participar en esta Eucaristía, contemplemos la imagen de Dios que llevamos dentro. Que nuestras palabras, decisiones y acciones reflejen a Cristo en medio del mundo. Demos cumplimiento a nuestras responsabilidades terrenas, pero sin olvidar que nuestra verdadera ciudadanía está en el Reino de los Cielos.

Que María Santísima nos ayude a entregar nuestra vida completamente al Señor, para que todo lo que hagamos sea para su gloria y para el bien de nuestros hermanos.



Señor, ayúdanos a darte lo que te pertenece: nuestro corazón, nuestra fe y nuestra vida entera. Amén.

Bendiciones siempre.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866