“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21).  

The major theme for this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on our obligations to God and to our country by promoting the common good. While we need to be faithful and loyal to our country, being a good citizen for the peace, stability, and benefits of the common good, we need to be much more so to our God, who ultimately oversees all creation.

The common good is "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily." The common good concerns the life of all, and calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise authority (CCC #1906). It consists of three essential elements:

First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such (CCC #1907). Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself (CCC #1908). Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order (CCC #1909). Therefore, it is our obligations to God and to our country to promote the common good.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to fulfill our obligations to God and to our country by promoting the common good, to follow Jesus Christ more closely, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure, and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we promote the common good, participate actively in the running of our government, elect the most suitable candidates, respect and maintain the laws and welfare of our country, submit to the civil authorities, engage in various ministries of the parish without violating the teachings of God?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.