Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:15–21

One thing I love about writing these gospel reflections is how the Mass readings seem to speak to each other. What makes it even more exciting for me is when Scripture passages line up like breadcrumbs on a trail, hinting at God’s guidance. A good friend of mine encouraged me to follow the breadcrumbs, trusting that God may be leading me somewhere through them. 

That is the case with this week's gospel, but first, let me share a bit of the backstory.

As a ministry coach for Walking with Purpose, I pray and discern a monthly key verse to reflect on with our parish program coordinators. While working on my Bible study lesson from Spiritual Motherhood, I was drawn to a passage from 1 Thessalonians that seemed perfect for October (breadcrumb #1):

For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; for the gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. (1 Thessalonians 1:4–5)

I was surprised to discover the same passage in the second reading for this Sunday as I prepared this post (breadcrumb #2). At first, I didn’t pay much attention to the coincidence, but eventually I decided to follow where the Holy Spirit was leading—unlike the Pharisees in this week's gospel, who ignored the clues before them.

In Matthew’s gospel, we read about the plotting, planning, and scheming of the Pharisees and Herodians. It’s interesting because, as scholars point out, these two groups were not friends. In fact, they were rivals and opposed each other in most things. The Herodians were a political faction that supported Herod, his dynasty, and his alignment with the Roman Empire, believing it was better to preserve some level of Jewish autonomy with Rome than none at all. This meant that they already had a king: Herod, and didn’t need another. By contrast, the Pharisees followed the Jewish law very strictly. They rejected and despised Rome and its authority; nevertheless, they cooperated with Rome’s leaders to preserve their own authority. The Pharisees opposed the Herodians because they still were expecting their king: the Messiah.

Despite their differences, both groups saw Jesus as a threat; the Herodians didn’t want to upset the status quo, and the Pharisees refused to accept Jesus as their Messiah. Both feared that Jesus’ followers might cause an uprising and jeopardize their power. So, in their limited worldly wisdom, they joined forces to entrap Him.

If only they knew Who they were really plotting against, and Who had given them the power they held, but it seems they missed the signs and didn’t notice the breadcrumbs.

Granted, the Israelites did not have the New Testament to consult when discerning God's will, but they did have the prophets—both of which are massive breadcrumbs we are blessed to have. Isaiah shares important information that we glean from this Sunday’s first reading:

I have called you by name, giving you a title, though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, there is no other, there is no God besides me.
It is I who arm you, though you do not know me, so that all may know,
from the rising of the sun to its setting, that there is none besides me.
I am the Lord, there is no other. (Isaiah 45:4–6)

Israel's leaders would have known this passage referring to Cyrus, king of Persia. Yet, they did not remember their place or the source of their power: God. They missed the breadcrumb left for them in Scripture. Instead, blinded by pride and a desire for worldly power, they failed to recognize Jesus and were compelled to intervene and create the outcome they wanted. 

Lest we think we are better off than the leaders of Jesus’ time, even as mature Christians, we can easily forget who He is and where our true power comes from. How often do we take matters into our own hands without first seeking the Lord’s wisdom? How often do we assume we know the answer or how to respond to someone, without pausing to discern God’s will? How often are we blinded by our own pride and selfish interests, missing what is right in front of us? More often than I’d like to admit, my friend. 

Yet Jesus, full of compassion and always the teacher, still desired to draw these learned men to the truth, even as they tried to flatter and trick Him! The Word Himself, the gospel, came and stood before them—just as He does with us—dropping breadcrumbs of knowledge and wisdom through Scripture (and our Mass readings): to teach us, to lead us, and sometimes even to convict us, opening the doors to reveal truth that cannot be challenged by even the wisest of men.

In His great mercy, Jesus goes on to expose their hypocrisy. Perhaps because they had forgotten their place, or because they didn’t recognize that the Lord was among them. Or perhaps, even like Cyrus, God uses unlikely figures to lead His people toward Himself. Whatever His reason, He beats the best minds of the day at their own intellectual game. 

“Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:18–21)

My hope is that I won’t be like the Pharisees and Herodians—missing the clues the Lord leaves along my life’s path. I pray the same for you. May we all know Jesus Christ, “[who is] the Lord, there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5). May we remember we are His “beloved,” and that “our gospel did not come to [us] in word alone” (1 Thessalonians 1:5), but also in the power of the Holy Spirit, who wants to guide us. As you go about your week, look for the breadcrumbs along your path. The Lord may be trying to teach you something new.

Searching with you,
Karen

Food for thought or journaling …

Where in my life do I think I know best, taking matters into my own hands instead of seeking the Lord and His wisdom? Am I looking for the breadcrumbs of faith that the Lord may be leaving for me?

Holy Spirit, align my mind, heart, and will with Yours. Teach me to always seek out Your will and follow where You lead. Amen.