• Religion and politics… two topics that are sure to generate discussion among most people! Such was the case in today’s Gospel, when the Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus in speech. They asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus tells them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” And in our first reading, God reminds King Cyrus that the king was given authority due to God’s generosity. God tells Cyrus, “I am the Lord, there is no other.” We’re reminded both in our Gospel and first reading that any leadership positions on this earth do not compare to our great leader, who is the Lord of all!

• In my other role… as Director of the Office for Music Ministry for the Pittsburgh Diocese, I was in Cincinnati October 10-13 for the annual meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC). Approximately 200 diocesan liturgical staff members from nearly every diocese in the United States attended. The FDLC supports and  advises our country’s bishops on liturgical matters. During our meeting, we also reflected on the Church’s document, “Directory for Masses with Children,” which, on a practical level, guides the weekly school Masses we celebrate here at Ave Maria Academy. Next year, the FDLC meeting is here in Pittsburgh, so I won’t need to travel very far!