BALANCING OUR CIVIC AND HEAVENLY DUTIES

 

Homily for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Matthew 22:15-21

 

Around 63BCE, the Romans invaded Jerusalem, especially the region of Judea and occupied it. They immediately declared Herod the king of the Jews and made the Jews to pay taxes and tribute to the Roman government, including the payment of the “census tax” and other levies. This financial burden was a source of resentment and contributed to social and political unrest.

It was within the context of this tension between the Jews and Romans that the encounter between Jesus and Pharisees in the gospel reading of today took place. The Pharisees were aware that the Jewish people resented Roman occupation, including the payment of taxes to the Roman authorities. So, they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:17). In posing this question, the Pharisees were trying to put Jesus in a difficult position. If he advocated for paying taxes to Caesar, he might lose credibility among the Jewish population, who despised Roman taxation. On the other hand, if he rejected the idea of paying taxes to Caesar, he could be accused of promoting rebellion against Roman rule, which could lead to his arrest by Roman authorities.

To the amazement of the Pharisees, Jesus in response to their question, Jesus wisely asked to see a denarius, the Roman coin used for paying taxes. He then posed the famous question, “Whose likeness and inscription are these?” The people responded, “Caesar’s.” Jesus then delivered the memorable line, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:18-21).

By this response, Jesus skillfully navigated the trap set by the Pharisees. He acknowledged the necessity of paying taxes to the Roman authorities as a civic duty, as the coin bears Caesar’s image. What this means is that our faith does not exempt us from these obligations but calls us to engage responsibly in society. However, by saying, “and to God the things that are God’s,” Jesus reminded the people of their higher duty to God, emphasizing that while they must meet their obligations to the state, they must never forget their allegiance to God’s kingdom and his divine authority.

This passage reminds us that as Christians, we live in two worlds - the temporal and the eternal. We must engage responsibly in our earthly roles, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God’s heavenly kingdom. The biblical passage underscores the idea that our earthly duties and spiritual obligations can coexist, as long as our ultimate loyalty remains with God. Just as we are to render taxes to the state, we must also give to God what is his. Our lives, talents, and resources are divine gifts. We are called to be faithful stewards, using them for his glory.

When Jesus said, “Render to God the things that are God’s,” he alluded to the fact that we bear the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We are called to offer our entire selves to him in loving devotion. Just as we render taxes to the state, we must present our lives as living sacrifices to God, a holy and pleasing offering (Romans 12:1). Ultimately, the Gospel calls us to lead lives that reflect the holiness and love of God. As we engage with the world, our actions should bear witness to our faith and our dedication to God’s commandments.

Lastly, let us pray for the wisdom to navigate the complexities of life, always remembering to render to Caesar and to God what rightfully belongs to each. In doing so, we fulfill our call as faithful servants of the Lord.