DIFFERING LOYALTIES?
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: Our elders often advise us: “Put things where they belong: books on the bookshelf, clothes in the cupboard…” Jesus says something similar in today’s Gospel: “Give what belongs to whom it belongs.” To whom do we belong? We belong primarily to God.
We pray that we may accept this truth, give ourselves completely to God, and that other things and people – our differing loyalties and commitments – may not keep us away from God.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times when we have not given ourselves to God; for the times our other commitments have taken priority, we ask the Lord for his pardon.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, from your earliest days,
you went about your Father’s business: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, in the midst of reaching out to people,
you spent long hours in prayer: Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, on the Cross, in complete obedience,
you gave yourself completely to your Father: Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: O God,
whose image we bear
and whose name we carry,
yours is the world and all it contains.
Recall us to our true allegiance,
so that above the powers of this world
you alone may claim our fullest loyalty and love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Psalm Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
Response Give the Lord glory and honor.
Reading 2 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world
as you hold on to the word of life.
Gospel Matthew 22:15-21
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are present during the encounter of Jesus with the Pharisees and Herodians. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear their question and Jesus’ response?
Sunday Snippets
Two puppeteers were arguing over who should control the strings of the puppet on the stage. As they argue, one tries to wrest the strings from the other. The puppet is pulled this way and that as each puppeteer pulls the string to an arm or leg, hand, or foot.
Our varied commitments can do the same to us. Family, school/ workplace, church, government: to a varying extent, these determine the way we spend our time, energy, and resources. We feel pulled in different directions and helplessly out of control.
Who or what should take priority? The gospel encounter of Jesus with the Pharisees and the Herodians responds to this question.
The Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus a carefully-formulated and loaded question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?”
The Jews resented paying this tax because it was a painful reminder that they lived under foreign rule. Plus, God was their only king; paying tax to an earthly king admitted his kingship. If Jesus said it was unlawful to pay taxes, he would be guilty of sedition; if he said it was lawful, he would stand discredited in the eyes of the Jews.
Jesus’ response is equally loaded: “Repay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” First, there is no dichotomy between God and the many Caesars in our lives; each has its rightful place. But: God first, everything else next. Second, “repay” what belongs to God. What belongs to God? In one word: everything!
Jesus then asks for a coin and asks: “Whose image is this?” The emperor’s image, stamped on the coin, showed that the coin belonged to him. We, stamped with the image of God, belong to him!
Jesus challenges us repay to God what is his – ourselves.
How am I going to give myself to God in the week ahead? No deductions, no exemptions!
May I allow God to tug at the strings of my heart and mind. Then, my differing loyalties will not leave me out of control; I will discover balance and equanimity.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: “I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me.” Does my life attest to this truth? Why/ why not? What do I need to change to give priority to God?
Reading 2: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayer.” Let me spend a few moments thanking God and praying for those who enrich my faith and life.
Gospel: Do God’s and Caesar’s worlds have to be separated? Can we divorce spiritual obligation from political policies or social issues?
What role does my faith play in my life as a citizen? How can I be a better steward of all that God has given me?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Let us ask for the grace to commit to give ourselves to God and entrust the needs of the world to him, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that formed in the image and likeness of God, we may manifest God’s presence in our workplaces, our families, and our society, we pray…
R: For leaders of nations: that God may guide them to establish just policies and work for peace, we pray…
R: For the world: that we may grow in love and mercy, care for the vulnerable, appreciate our connection with nature, and deepen our awareness of the deeply spiritual nature of life and the presence of God, we pray…
R: For all who are recovering from sickness and disasters: that God may give them strength, a spirit of hope, and a supportive community, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that God may guide us in being committed citizens without compromising our discipleship and service of him, we pray…
L: God our Father, everything we are and have is yours. Renew us in your love so that we may serve you, and our brothers and sisters, with generous commitment. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
there are times
when we are caught between conflicting loyalties
and differing commitments.
But the world is not divided into one part for you
and one part for Caesar.
All creation is yours,
and is under your sovereignty,
especially us, human beings,
whom you have created in your image.
Lord,
what should I give back to you?
Whatever I am and have is yours!
May I give back to you
my heart and my mind,
my joys and my sorrows,
my whole being.
Take me, Lord, as I am.
May I do my part to ensure that the goods of the earth
are shared to meet the needs of all.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Lord, our God,
you send us to join forces with all people
to build up the city of God.
Make us sensitive to the needs of others
and help us to give equal chances to all,
to build communities of friendship and love
and to warm the earth
with a touch of your gentleness.
Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
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