INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
The succinctness of Jesus’ advice – ‘give back to Caesar what belong to Caesar’ – stands in bold relief against the mountain of modern tax legislation.
There’s stark contrast also between taxes imposed by tyrants to wage war or fund vanity projects and those required of citizens and businesses in peaceful democratic states to contribute fairly to valued services. Nonetheless taxes constantly get a bad press and have spawned a vast industry devoted to their avoidance and minimisation. Few voices are raised to promote the positive role taxes play in facilitating equitable access to the social goods of education, health care, infrastructure, the arts, and all that makes for a civilised society.
Woe betide the politician who champions higher taxes for the common good.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for the people of Israel and the Palestinian territories, that the terrible cycle of killing and retaliation will end and seeds of healing and peace be sown.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, heartened by the saving word of God, let us pray with faith and hope and love for our troubled world.
READER
We pray for world leaders as United Nations Day approaches (24 October), that they will use all the power at their disposal to work for peace and especially to end the brutal bloodshed in the Holy Land. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the church on this Mission Sunday, that ‘all hearts will be on fire and all feet on the move’ for the sake of the good news. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all participants in the Synod as the first session enters its final week, that they will become a leaven of synodality for the whole people of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of Australia, whether First Nations, settlers, migrants or refugees, that we be united in our commitment to mutual respect, fairness and solidarity. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for taxpayers and all tax-paying entities, that they will willingly make their proper contribution to the common good of the national community. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for children in this National Children’s Week (21-29 October), that their right to relax, play and take part in activities they enjoy will be amply fulfilled. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for tertiary and senior secondary students preparing for major exams, that they will do justice to their knowledge, gifts and skills and find a life-giving path ahead. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for our faith community, that like the Thessalonians we will receive the word of God together as power, as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased, . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will know the fulness of God’s grace and peace for ever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Great and glorious God, you reveal your power to us in the sign of the cross. Help us walk faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus. We ask this through Christ our Lord.