October 18, 2020
Sunday Nọmba 29 for Ordinary Time, Year A
Readings for Today
Listen for English
Di Pharisees comot go plan how dem go take catch am for wetin e go talk. Dem send their disciples, together with di Herodians, go meet am, say, “Teacher, we know say you na person wey dey talk truth, and say you dey teach di way of God as di truth be. You no dey worry about wetin anybody think, because you no dey look person position. So tell us wetin you think: E dey lawful to pay census tax to Caesar abi e no dey lawful?” As Jesus know di wickedness for their mind, E talk say, “Why una dey test Me, una wey dey pretend?” Matthew 22:15-18
Di Pharisees na “people wey dey pretend,” and “wickedness” full their mind. Dem still be cowards, because dem no even gree carry out their own wicked plan by theirself. Instead, dem send some of their own disciples make dem try catch Jesus for trap. If na with worldly wisdom person take look am, di trap wey dem set make sense well-well. E fit well be say di Pharisees sit down discuss every small detail of this plan, and tell these messengers di exact thing wey dem go talk.
Dem start by praising Jesus, as dem tell Am say dem know say E na “person wey dey talk truth.” Dem come still talk say dem know say Jesus “no dey worry about wetin anybody think.” Dem talk these two true things about Jesus because di Pharisees believe say dem fit use dem as foundation for their trap. If Jesus dey talk truth and E no dey worry about wetin other people think, then dem surely expect make E talk say no need dey to pay di Temple tax. If Jesus talk that kind thing, di Romans go arrest Am.
Di sad truth be say di Pharisees use plenty strength and effort dey plot and plan this wicked trap. See how dem waste time! But di glorious truth be say Jesus hardly use any effort scatter their plan and expose dem as di wicked pretenders wey dem be. E talk say, “give Caesar back wetin belong to Caesar, and give God wetin belong to God” (Matthew 22:21).
For our own life, some times dey wey we fit come face to face with another person wicked intention and secret plans. Even though this kind thing fit no dey happen often to some people, e still dey happen. Many times, this kind plan fit trouble us well-well and make us lose our peace. But Jesus endure this kind wickedness so that E go show us how to handle di attacks and traps wey we fit meet for life. Di answer na to stand firm for di Truth and use God wisdom take respond. God wisdom dey see through and scatter every wicked act and trick wey human being fit plan. God wisdom fit overcome everything.
Today, reflect on how deep your trust for God wisdom be, to guide you through life. You no fit make am by yourself. Traps and snares dey wey must surely come your way. Trust for His wisdom and surrender yourself completely to His perfect will, and you go see say E go guide you for every step of di way.
Lord, I put my life for Your hand, make Your perfect wisdom guide me and make You care for me. Protect me from every trick, and guard me from di plans of di wicked one. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint of di Day – Saint Luke di Evangelist
We no dey celebrate am as liturgical memorial this year because e fall on Sunday
Image: Di Tax Money wey Pierre Paul Rubens paint
