Penance Providence and Peace

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the role of Penance, to reflect on our shortcomings, and how we are called to rely on Providence in our mission to live as an example of Jesus' Way of peace.

Return and Reflection

The Reading from the Book of Ezra proclaims a Penitential Prayer.

* [9:6–15] The prayer attributed to Ezra is a communal confession of sin, of a kind characteristic of the Second Temple period (cf. Neh 9:6–37; Dn 9:4–19; 1QS 1:4–2:1), but adapted to the present situation. (Ezra, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

The response from the Book of Tobit is a hymn of praise.

* [13:1–18] Tobit’s hymn of praise is divided into two parts. The first part (vv. 1–8) is a song of praise that echoes themes from the psalms; (Tobit, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus declares The Mission of the Twelve

* [9:1–6] Armed with the power and authority that Jesus himself has been displaying in the previous episodes, the Twelve are now sent out to continue the work that Jesus has been performing throughout his Galilean ministry: (1) proclaiming the kingdom (Lk 4:43; 8:1); (2) exorcising demons (Lk 4:33–37, 41; 8:26–39) and (3) healing the sick (Lk 4:38–40; 5:12–16, 17–26; 6:6–10; 7:1–10, 17, 22; Lk 8:40–56).

* [9:3] Take nothing for the journey: the absolute detachment required of the disciple (Lk 14:33) leads to complete reliance on God (Lk 12:22–31).

* [9:5] Shake the dust from your feet: see note on Mt 10:14. (Luke, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)

Kimberly Grassmeyer comments that Jesus proclaimed His message as widely as one human could in only a few short years, with limited geographic mobility, and prior to the advent of the printing press, or social media.  One Holy man. 

 

That one man then blessed the twelve, giving them the ‘power and authority’ to proclaim and to heal.  (NB, He also instructed them to simply walk away from those whose hearts were not open.  NOT to hate or vilify them, not to “throw shade”, and certainly not to do harm.  Rather, quite simply: “when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them”.)  (Grassmeyer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus gave power and authority to his apostles,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"The grace bestowed upon the holy apostles is worthy of all admiration. But the bountifulness of the Giver surpasses all praise and admiration. He gives them, as I said, his own glory. They receive authority over the evil spirits. They reduce to nothing the pride of the devil that was so highly exalted and arrogant. They render ineffectual the demon's wickedness. By the might and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, burning them as if they were on fire, they make the devil come forth with groans and weeping from those whom he had possessed... He glorified his disciples, therefore, by giving them authority and power over the evil spirits and over sicknesses. Did he honor them without reason and make them famous without any logical cause? How can this be true? It was necessary, most necessary, that they should be able to work miracles, having been publicly appointed ministers of sacred proclamations. By means of their works, they then could convince men that they were the ministers of God and mediators of all beneath the heaven. The apostles then could invite them all to reconciliation and justification by faith and point out the way of salvation and of life that is this justification." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 47) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Ezra calls for penitential practice because the people have turned against God even though they have been returned from exile in Babylon for several generations. Ezra initiates a reform of the practice of religion. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus sends out missionaries and to cast out demons and cure disease. Friar Jude reminds us of their dependence on the Providence of God for hospitality and generosity but to leave the area if they are rejected.

Fr. Mike Schmitz introduces the books of Ezra and Haggai, explaining the Israelites' return to the promised land. He also warns us against apathy and indifference in our relationship with God, as we see Israel display towards the temple. The action of Darius (in Isaiah 45) has been compared to the action of the 45th US President (Donald Trump), by some who see a non-believer acting to free and support believers.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Minister Elle Dowd, an anti-racist white activist, who challenges the notion that being a peacemaker means being “nice”. Dowd reflects on the desire to reduce tension instead of learning what it might have to teach.

Direct action intentionally interrupts our daily flow and rhythm in an attempt to raise tension. This tension isn’t new. It isn’t being created out of thin air. It has always existed for our siblings of color.  

For people of color and other oppressed people, the tension caused by marginalization is ever present with very real consequences…. Racism is like being force-fed a poison. Direct action is what happens when people refuse to drink that poison and instead bring a bottle of it to the doorstep of those force-feeding them and demand that they gaze upon the reality of it.  

Direct action doesn’t create new tension. It redistributes the tension that is already there and puts it back where it belongs—at the source.  

Many people—white people, in particular—have little tolerance for tension. We have been taught to avoid tension. Our conditioning has trained us to recoil from discomfort, to think of it as an inherently bad thing, something to sidestep and evade at all costs. Instead of leaning into tension to see what we can learn from it, we often avoid it. But when we do this, when we turn away from tension, we fail to see the gift that this tension can be in revealing the truth. We miss out on the clarity it brings with it, the opportunity to move forward.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit to navigate the tension between responding to our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader and the social prejudice against action supported by Providence.

References

Ezra, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezra/9?5 

Grassmeyer, K. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-24-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Peacemaking Is Not Niceness. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/peacemaking-is-not-niceness/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Gave Them Authority over All Demons and Diseases. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep24 

Tobit, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/13?2 

Accepting Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today cite the virtues of faith, hope, and charity and challenge us, especially in Isaiah 45, to seek the guidance of the Spirit in our relationship with civil authority.

Discernment and Civil Authority 

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah identifies Cyrus of Babylon as God’s Instrument.

* [45:1] Anointed: in Hebrew, mashiah, from which the word “Messiah” is derived; from its Greek translation, Christos, we have the title “Christ.” Applied to kings, “anointed” originally referred only to those of Israel, but it is here given to Cyrus because he is the agent of the Lord.

* [45:2] Bronze doors: those defending the city gates of Babylon.

* [45:6] The nations will come to know that Israel’s God is the only God; cf. also vv. 20–25. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 45 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 praises God Who Comes in Judgement

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians describes Faith and Example in the community.

* [1:3] Faith…love…hope: this, along with 1 Thes 5:8, is the earliest mention in Christian literature of the three “theological virtues” (see 1 Cor 13:13). The order here stresses eschatological hope, in line with the letter’s emphasis on the Lord’s second, triumphal coming, or parousia (1 Thes 1:10; 2:12, 19; 3:13; 4:13–5:11; 5:23). (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus responds to the question about paying taxes.

* [22:15] The Pharisees: while Matthew retains the Marcan union of Pharisees and Herodians in this account, he clearly emphasizes the Pharisees’ part. They alone are mentioned here, and the Herodians are joined with them only in a prepositional phrase of Mt 22:16. Entrap him in speech: the question that they will pose is intended to force Jesus to take either a position contrary to that held by the majority of the people or one that will bring him into conflict with the Roman authorities.

* [22:16] Herodians: see note on Mk 3:6. They would favor payment of the tax; the Pharisees did not.

* [22:17] Is it lawful: the law to which they refer is the law of God.

* [22:19] They handed him the Roman coin: their readiness in producing the money implies their use of it and their acceptance of the financial advantages of the Roman administration in Palestine.

* [22:21] Caesar’s: the emperor Tiberius (A.D. 14–37). Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar: those who willingly use the coin that is Caesar’s should repay him in kind. The answer avoids taking sides in the question of the lawfulness of the tax. To God what belongs to God: Jesus raises the debate to a new level. Those who have hypocritically asked about tax in respect to its relation to the law of God should be concerned rather with repaying God with the good deeds that are his due; cf. Mt 21:41, 43. (Matthew, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cynthia Schmersal notes that we bear the image of God and so petitions that God deepen in us an embodied embrace of our identity as Your beloved, the work of Your hands. Keen our awareness to recognize that our lives are entirely of You, Our time, Our talents, Our treasure – All is of You.

May we, in union with one another, with St. Ignatius and with all of the saints, ever more sincerely pray in word and in lived witness:

Take, Lord,
and receive all my liberty,
my memory,
my understanding,
and my entire will.

All I own and all I have,
You gave to me,
to you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours,
dispose of it according to your will.

Give me your love and grace,
this is enough for me.
Amen. (Schmersal, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Put off the earthly image and put on the heavenly one,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Some people think that the Savior spoke on a single level when he said, 'Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar' - that is, 'pay the tax that you owe.' Who among us disagrees about paying taxes to Caesar? The passage therefore has a mystical and secret meaning. There are two images in humanity. One he received from God when he was made, in the beginning, as Scripture says in the book of Genesis, 'according to the image and likeness of God' (Genesis 1:27). The other image is of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:49). Man received this second image later. He was expelled from Paradise because of disobedience and sin after the 'prince of this world' (John 12:31) had tempted him with his enticements. Just as the coin, or denarius, has an image of the emperor of this world, so he who does the works of 'the ruler of the darkness' (Ephesians 6:12) bears the image of him whose works he does. Jesus commanded that that image should be handed over and thrown away from our face. He wills us to take on that image, according to which we were made from the beginning, according to God's likeness. It then happens that we give 'to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what is God's.' Jesus said, 'Show me a coin.' For 'coin,' Matthew wrote 'denarius' ( Matthew 22:19). When Jesus had taken it, he said, 'Whose inscription does it have?' They answered and said, 'Caesar's.' And he said to them in turn, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'" (excerpt from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 39.4-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 22:15-21 comments that Jesus’ reply makes an important point for both first-century Jews and for us today: we can, and should, meet both our civic and religious obligations. Regardless of nationality or citizenship, we are all made in the image of the living God (Genesis 1:26-27). So while we pay our taxes and cast our vote to fulfill our political obligations, we give to God what belongs to him—and that involves the surrender of our entire lives.

Participating wholeheartedly at Mass is a wonderful way to offer to God what belongs to him. Today, as you set aside other activities to listen to the word of God and receive Jesus in the Eucharist, reflect on what he has given you. Then invite him to show you how to surrender to him even more—of your time, treasure, dreams, and of all the people you hold dear.

“Lord, I entrust my whole life to you.” (Meditation on Matthew 22:15-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler reviews the history of the Exile in Babylon and the position of Cyrus as the “anointed one” releasing the captives to return home. This passage in Deutero Isaiah begins to express a radical monotheism. In the Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, the theological virtues including the “work of faith” are presented. Friar Jude advises that our relationship with civil authority should include prayer, respect, and discernment.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, writes about God’s desire for loving intimacy with us. The inner knowledge of God’s love is itself the Indwelling Presence, and it is also described as joy (John 15:11). Which comes first? Does feeling safe and held by God allow us to deal with others in the same way? Or does human tenderness allow us to imagine that God must be the same, but infinitely so? Fr. Richard supposes it does not really matter where we start; the important thing is that we get in on the big secret from one side or the other.

Yes, “secret,” or even “hidden secret,” is what writers like David (Psalm 25:14), Paul, Rumi, Hafiz, Bonaventure, Julian of Norwich, and many mystics called it. And for some sad reason, it seems to be a well-kept secret. Jesus praises God for “hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them only to the little ones” (Matthew 11:25). Well, what is it that the learned and the clever often cannot see?

The big and hidden secret is this: an infinite God seeks and desires intimacy with the human soul. Once we experience such intimacy, only the intimate language of lovers describes the experience for us: mystery, tenderness, singularity, specialness, changing the rules “for me,” nakedness, risk, ecstasy, incessant longing, and also, of course, necessary suffering. This is the mystical vocabulary of the saints. [3] (Rohr, 2023)

We seek the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit in our acceptance and response to civil authority even as we witness confusion over the role of “45” and the connection to Isaiah 45 in our current political environment.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 45 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/45?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 22 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/22?15 

Meditation on Matthew 22:15-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/22/809925/ 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/1?1 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, October 22). God's Passionate Love — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/gods-passionate-love/ 

Schmersal, C. (2023, October 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102223.html 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Give to God What Belongs to God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 22, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct22