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.
Thank you Fr. Ugochukwu. Have a blessed week
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