Father Michael's Thoughts This Week
WEEKLY THOUGHTS - 29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME &
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY - OCTOBER 18, 2026
Dear Friends,
Greetings and best wishes to you all. This weekend, we celebrate the Centenary of the World Mission Sunday since its institution by Pope Pius XI on October 18th, 1926, with the Theme; “One in Christ, United in Mission.” We will take a special prayer sent to us by Pope Leo XIV. Let us also keep the Holy in our prayers as he recuperates from the surgery.
We just concluded our Convocation for this year last Thursday at Omni Hotel in Charlottesville. It was a great time to pray together and socialize. I came out energized and thank you for your facilitation.
We have been hearing on several occasions Jesus directing criticism to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, chief priests and elders of the people of Israel. We are equally called to be people of integrity, transparency and character. Jesus echoed a similar call to authenticity in the parable of the two sons, the tenants and the parable of the Invitation to the Wedding Feast.
In the Gospel Reading of this Sunday; Mt 22: 15-21 we hear Jesus responding to the two groups; the Pharisees and Herodians. They were sent purposely to question Jesus; “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Ceasar?” The question was designed in such a way to discredit Jesus. If He said yes, would be regarded as a traitor. Saying no would land Him as enemy to the Romans.
The Herodians favored the payment of taxes to the Romans. In principle every Jew was compelled to reject payment of taxes to the Romans for the coin used bore the image of Ceasar, supreme god. The same coin was used at the temple in Jerusalem to transact business. It is at this contradiction Jesus used to expose the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Herodians.
The answer of Jesus; “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” left both groups amazed. If the coin for the tax was made in the image of God, they had to give themselves entirely to God.
The Social Teaching of the Church renders us to be patriotic, work and promote justice, peace and human rights as the Church calls upon us to respect and protect the life of the unborn. The Church teaching continues to be the conscience of the people.
Let us support and give generously to the Global World Mission Sunday.
Have a great week and God bless.
Father Michael Mugomba, Pastor