Homilies and Other Writings

  (On Matthew 22:15-21) Insofar as possible, we need to live in peace with those around us: in this way, we create better conditions for the preaching of the Gospel. It’s difficult to know when we have to risk conflict and when conflict should be avoided. Let us reflect on Jesus’ example and teaching. 1. The Pharisees hated Jesus and wanted to have Him arrested, so they set a trap. In their mind, it was the perfect trap. The idea was to catch Jesus saying something against the civil government in the presence of the civil authority or those of their party; in this way, the authorities would arrest Him and maybe even execute Him. In order to “hide” the trap, the Pharisees did not go themselves but sent instead some of their disciples. Now, together with their disciples, they sent some Herodians as well. There are two possible interpretations of who the Herodians were. For some, they were the ministers in charge of collecting the emperor’s tax. Other say, instead, that they wer...

 1. Salvation is universal but it is also particular. It is offered to all peoples but in a certain “place”: Jerusalem, the Church, the Christ, that is, “this” Christ. “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food… It will be said on that day, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain’” ( Isaiah 25). Salvation is for all peoples, but it is connected to this mountain, to Jerusalem. Salvation is for all peoples but they must come to Jerusalem, the Holy City. “He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come… Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’” ( Matthew 22). It is the wedding of his so...