My dear friends in Christ, this weekend we celebrate the 29th Sunday in ordinary time year A. In the last Sunday’s gospel, we heard about God’s invitation to all of us for the wedding banquet, which requires of us attending with our wedding garment-the life of holiness. As God’s children, we are expected to wear this garment everyday of our life.
In today’s gospel narrative, we hear Jesus say: “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God”. This statement was made by Jesus in response to a question addressed to him. Caesar was a Roman emperor who ruled the Roman empire. Since the Jews were under the rule of Roman governance, they had to pay taxes to Ceasar, which they held in high contempt. In order to trap Jesus on the issue, the Pharisees ask him the question: “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” By this question both the pharisees and Herodians had in mind to put Jesus into an impossible situation. If he says either yes or no, he will be in trouble with either of the party.
However, Jesus knew that they wanted to trap him, and he was aware they knew the right thing to do, because they had in their pockets the special coins to pay their taxes. So, Jesus told them to give to the Caesar what is rightfully belongs to him. Sometimes, we hear some people using or interpreting this statement out of context. First of all, Caesar represents and stands for the state. Neither Caesar nor the state is evil, and we have to understand that our society is sacred. However, the response Jesus gave was simple, if they are benefitting from the services that Rome provides, such as international peace and security, expanded commerce, up-to-date communications, and so on, then they should also pay their fair share of taxes.
As ordinary citizens, we have the obligation of rendering to the state whatever material and personal services that are required for the common good. For instance, we pay tax so that government can provide us good road and health facilities. We pay tax to help government on her foreign policies and defence.
The second point Jesus added, which is very salient, is to give to God what belongs to Him. We may ask ourselves: what actually belongs to God?
First of all, God is the creator of the universe, and we have been made by Him. As our creator, he deserves our praises. To Him belongs honour and glory. God is also the giver of all the good things we enjoy. He pours out his abundant blessing on us day after day. As our heavenly father, he watches over us, protects us, cares for all our needs. He loves us and forgives us our failings. Therefore, He deserves our trust and our love in return.
Again, let us look for a moment at all that we are and have. We are alive and our very life comes from God. Our health of mind and body, is also from him. He gave us intellect to know and understand things. He gave us memory to remember people and events. He has given to each one of us different qualities and abilities to do things. The educations we have received, and our possessions, are only some of His blessings to us.
In all of these numerous gifts and blessings God has endowed on us, how many of us can be honest enough to acknowledged God as the sole giver? How many have ever testified that God has made it possible for them? This is indeed giving to God what belongs to God: to agree that what I am and all I have is God’s gift to me. And to use His gifts in a way pleasing to Him. To use His gifts for the good of others, and not only for my own advantage.
And so, as Christians we are citizens of two states: the state of heaven and the civil society. In either of these states, we are under obligation to show faith in action, to work for love and persevere through hope. According to Vatican 2 document it says, ‘as citizens of two cities, we should strive to discharge our earthly duties conscientiously and in response to the gospel Spirit.” (Church in the modern world Art 43) What is demanded of us is to discern of how-to live-in history and society and above all, to be aware of our commitment to the reign of God.
As Christians, our first and deepest loyalty belongs to God. To God alone we render worship. At the same time, we gladly acknowledge and respect the civil authorities, praying that they will rule wisely and justly. Again, we are obliged to fulfil our civil duties to the state. As Christians, we are admonished to accept state authorities as coming from God (cf. Rm. 13:1). Every good Christian is a good citizen. As children of heaven, we should pay our taxes, renew our license plate at due time, obey traffic rules, stop when police ask you to stop, and to participate during the election time to vote in the rightful person into political office.