Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

POWER STRUGGLE

Power struggles occur on every level of society, from the world stage to relationships at work, to our own homes. We struggle for position in the hierarchy of power: Who has power over whom? How do they wield it? What is the source of that power? What is the healthy response?

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading the Pharisees engage Jesus in a power struggle over whether Jews should show tribute to Caesar by paying taxes. Jesus’ response puts this and every struggle for power into perspective. In harmony with the words of Isaiah and Paul, Jesus teaches us that God is the ultimate source of all power—the power of earthly rulers, the Pharisees, Jesus, the Church, and the power within ourselves.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Masses for the Week

• Sun. Oct. 18 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish
• Mon. Oct. 19 8:30 AM
• Weds. Oct. 21 8:30 AM & 6:30 PM
• Thurs. Oct. 22 8:30 AM
• Fri. Oct. 23 8:30 AM
• Sat. Oct. 24 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
• Sun. Oct. 25 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish

On Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1:00 PM there will be a Funeral Mass for a parishioner. There will be visitation from 12:00–1:00.

Announcements

World Mission Sunday — Second Collection Today

There will be a second collection today for World Mission Sunday.

Important Notice — Social Hall Stabilization Project Starts Monday

On Monday the Social Hall Stabilization Project is planned to start. This project will see the Social Hall crawl space being cleared of debris, existing supports cleaned to remove traces of mold, sealing of the crawl space, additional supports to strengthen the Social Hall floor, and placement of dehumidifiers. This project is expected to lengthen the life of the Social Hall by many years. A projected completion date is expected for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, but could be earlier if things work out smoothly.

Fr. Regi Away — Fr. Praveen Kumar Covering

Fr. Praveen Kumar will be staying at the rectory and covering for Fr. Regi while he is away.

Religious Education & OCIA — Classes Meet Today

Religious Education and OCIA classes will meet today at 10:15–11:30.

Knights of Columbus — What Are We Doing?

At the Knights of Columbus meeting it was decided to conduct a non-perishable food drive for those less fortunate in our community. From Sunday October 25 to Sunday, November 15, one cardboard box will be placed at the main entrance to the church and one box will be placed at the social hall entrance. The knights greatly appreciate the church’s support for our community. Let’s fill those boxes!

The Knights recognized supporting the church’s remodeling and improvement efforts by providing $1,000 towards refurbishing the garage. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the garage’s completion!

Queen of Families Mass — Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Cathedral

Please join Bishop Spalding on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation for the third annual Queen of Families Mass for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or other child loss. All families who have ever experienced the loss of a child at any stage of life, before or after birth, as well as all the faithful who want to pray with us in support of these families are welcome to attend. For more information and resources, please visit: nashvillefaithformation.com/queen-families-mass

Kroger Cards for Those in Need

We continue to get several calls a week for food and gas so if you are able, please pick up a Kroger card and drop it in the collection basket to help those in need. Thank you.

Please Help Keep Our Church Clean

There has been gum found in the pew book holders, and now that we have two water dispensers, cups are being left in the church and hall. Parents, please make sure your children pick up after themselves. Thank you.

Online Giving

Here is the established QR code for the parish if you would like to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: The LORD said to Cyrus, his anointed, “I am the LORD, there is no other” (Isaiah 45:1, 4-6).

Psalm: Give the Lord glory and honor (Psalm 96).

Second Reading: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians: We thank God always for all of you (1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b).

Gospel: Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s (Matthew 22:15-21).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Rom 4:20-25; Lk 1:69-75; Lk 12:13-21

Tuesday: Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Ps 40:7-10, 17; Lk 12:35-38

Wednesday: Rom 6:12-18; Ps 124:1b-8; Lk 12:39-48

Thursday: Rom 6:19-23; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 12:49-53

Friday: Rom 7:18-25a; Ps 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94; Lk 12:54-59

Saturday: Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 6:12-16

Sunday: Ex 22:20-26; Ps 18:2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thes 1:5c-10; Mt 22:34-40

Reflecting on the Word

I was leading an OCIA (formerly known as the RCIA) class, and as we talked through Catholic moral teaching and the role of the pope and the magisterium in said teaching, the one catechumen declared that he disagreed with (at the time) Pope Francis’s position on immigration and voted accordingly. His justification was the verse that closes today’s Gospel passage: give to the emperor what belongs to the emperor and give to God what belongs to God.

To all those who use this verse to justify themselves in making certain choices resulting in the inhumane treatment of others, my question focuses on the second part of that verse. What is it that belongs to God that Jesus tells us to give to God? The passage from Isaiah says that God calls us by name, and Paul tells us that we are chosen. We belong to God. So how do we give ourselves to God? The catechumen across the table from me could not quite see that the way we offer ourselves to God and the choices we make on this journey of faith are immensely important to God. We are not allowed to evade our covenantal responsibility with a slick interpretation of Jesus’ words that serve our fears and worldly agenda. As someone who desired baptism, he intended to enter into a covenantal relationship that I knew would ask a lot from him. My job was to help him embark on the journey with curiosity and compassion, rather than political expedience. I am not sure where he stands now, but I do hope that he sees the second half of that verse from Matthew’s Gospel as being more significant to his faith than the first half.

Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.

Adoration

8:00 AM — 1st Saturday of the month

7:00 PM — 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)