Homily: Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Isaiah 45:1, 4–6 | 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5b | Matthew 22:15–21
18 October 2026
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
Have you ever met someone who preaches about honesty, but can never tell the truth? Someone who always claims to want to help, but only if they get something out of it? Or someone who says, “Para naman ito sa ikabubuti ng lahat.” (This is for the common good.), when they really just want to get their own way? Does this sound like someone you know, perhaps even a leader? The problem is not what they say; it is that their actions never match their words.
This is what makes today’s Gospel so interesting. The Pharisees and Herodians approach Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. They begin by praising Him: “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man” (Matthew 22:16), yet Matthew reveals their real intention: they want to entrap Jesus (Matthew 22:15). They speak about truth, but they are not seeking it. They simply want to put Jesus in a difficult position. Jesus sees through their deception and asks whose image appears on the coin. When they answer, “Caesar’s,” He replies, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:20–21). Jesus answers their question, but He also reveals a deeper truth: people can use beautiful and persuasive words to conceal dishonest intentions.
We do not have to look very far to see this happening. Sometimes, people say, “I am only doing this for the family,” yet their decisions hurt the very people they claim to love. Someone says, “I am just defending what is right,” but refuses to acknowledge even the smallest mistake. Someone says, “I am doing this for the Church,” yet becomes angry when another person receives the credit. Sometimes, we can be very vocal in defending noble causes, yet undermine the very values we defend by refusing to accept correction when our own conduct falls short. We can demand accountability from others while making excuses for our own actions. We can speak passionately about what the Church should do while forgetting that we, too, are called to humility and obedience.
It is easy to speak about obedience when we agree with the person giving the instruction. The real test comes when we disagree. Can we express our concerns honestly and respectfully without reacting with anger? Can we remain faithful to the Church without insisting that everything must be done our way? Obedience does not mean that we cannot ask questions or respectfully express disagreement. However, there is a difference between raising a concern in good faith and making ourselves the final judge of everything. Humility is not measured by how often we correct others, but by our willingness to accept correction ourselves.
This is not just a problem among politicians, Church leaders, or other people. It is a challenge we must also confront within ourselves. When I say I am helping someone, am I genuinely seeking to improve that person’s situation, or am I waiting for praise or, worse, expecting a favour in return? When I say I am a defender of truth, am I willing to admit when I am mistaken? When I say I am serving God, can I continue serving even when nobody notices, thanks me, or praises me? These are difficult questions, but they are necessary. After all, it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reasons. It is possible to speak about God while refusing to let God change us.
Saint Paul gives us a beautiful reminder in the Second Reading. He praises the Thessalonians for their “work of faith and labour of love and endurance in hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Notice that their faith is not just something they talk about. Their faith leads them to act. Their love requires effort. Their hope helps them persevere. That is the mark of genuine faith. It is not measured solely by how often we pray, how many religious activities we attend, or how well we know the Bible. These things matter, but they must also transform the way we live.
Brothers and sisters, we can fool people with beautiful words. We can even fool ourselves. Yet, we cannot hide our hearts from God. Let us therefore examine ourselves whenever we say, “This is for God.” Let us first ask whether our actions reflect His love, whether our decisions uphold the truth, and whether our intentions are sincere. True integrity is revealed in the everyday moments when no one is watching: by choosing honesty at all times, showing patience at home even when we are tired, and treating others fairly even when it is difficult. When we accept correction with humility, our daily actions become a reflection of God’s love and goodness to those around us. May our lives help others recognise god’s goodness and experience it through our words and actions.
Today, we are reminded to keep our words truthful, our motives sincere, and our daily lives truly aligned with Christ. Let us live out our faith, for it is not enough to simply talk about God. Let us pray for a heart that is humble enough to accept correction when we are wrong, generous enough to help others, and courageous enough to follow Christ faithfully.
