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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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Isaiah 45:1-6
Psalm 95
Thessalonians 1:1-5
Matthew 22:15-21
The readings this week focus on the attitude of the Bible to leaders who did not belong to the people of Israel. In the verses from Isaiah we hear that Cyrus, king of Babylon, is anointed during the royal enthronement service. The title "anointed of the Lord" was earlier reserved for kings and priests of Israel. The conferring of this title means that the conquests made by Cyrus so that the people of Israel could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and the temple were to be attributed to the Lord.
In the gospel reading Jesus is asked the first in a series of controversial questions by some of the religious leaders, this time the Pharisees and the Herodians. The question they posed was about whether Jesus thought it was lawful to pay tax to Caesar, the Roman ruler. To pay this tax meant to acknowledge a foreign pagan sovereignty over Israel. Jesus' reply is not an encouragement to violent rebellion, nor a resigned acceptance of occupation, but an acceptance of the state as it is. Give to God what belongs to God means that God's claim is greater than the state's.
The psalm today is a hymn of praise to the God of all the earth and all peoples. Israel is asked to proclaim to the nations that "God is King", higher than any earthly ruler. You are invited to pray with the psalm and let the verse, "Give the Lord glory and power", resound in your heart.
It is God on whom we depend and give thanks for all the gifts we receive. Reflect on what you have received today and spend some time in thanksgiving to the God of all creation.