One week after announcing his surgery, the Pope made his first public appearance after leaving the hospital, leading the faithful in the midday Sunday Angelus. As is the custom, he offered his reflection on the Gospel read at today’s Mass. Here is what he said: ~ The Gospel proclaimed in today’s liturgy (Mt 22:15-21) presents us with one of Jesus’ best-known sayings: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (cf. v. 21).  For this reason, it is important to consider these words in the context in which they were originally spoken. The evangelist Matthew describes a situation of hostility towards Jesus: the Pharisees gather together to see how they might catch him in his words (cf. v. 15).  They decide to send some people to question him on a controversial matter: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (v. 17). Read More…

God isn’t afraid of history: Pope’s thoughts