GIVE TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD

XXIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 22:15-21

This Sunday, we read the famous passage about the taxes to Caesar, with much wider implications about the relationship between the State and the Church. Surprisingly, the Pharisees came together with the  Herodians to catch Jesus and have a case against him. They began by speaking flattering words of praise to deceive Jesus. However, Jesus read their intentions and prepared himself for their deceit. 

In 63 BC, the Roman general Pompey captured Jerusalem and the Jews lost their freedom. During a time, the Romans allowed Herod the Great as a king, serving the Roman Emperor. Herod was considered a foreigner and hated because of his harsh rule. Being Roman vassals, the Jews had to pay taxes to them, doing it with hard feelings. While the Sadducees tried to maintain good relations with the Romans, other groups grumbly paid their taxes. It is not surprising that all wanted to know which side Jesus would take. Indeed, the question was formulated in such a way that had to take sides. If he affirmed the obligation of paying taxes, he would be considered a collaborator who accepted the Roman oppression. If he sided with those who refused to pay taxes, he would be considered a rebel, who defied the Roman rule and incurred their anger. That would be enough to be sentenced to death on the cross. Before the question about paying taxes or not, it seemed that there was no way out for Jesus.

Well aware of the trap that they had set for him, Jesus gave an answer that left them puzzled. First, he asked to be shown a coin and they “handed him a denarius”. Then, he asked: “Whose head is this? Whose name?” The answer was clear: “Caesar’s”. They were using Roman money everywhere in their daily lives, despite having the emperor’s image engraved on it, something that was forbidden by the Law. Then, Jesus’ answer and solution were straightforward: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar “and to God what belongs to God.” The State must care for the welfare of the citizens and, in doing that, may put demands that the citizens must comply with. However, the State can never take God’s place. We cannot give to the State what belongs to God. Before God, everything else is relative. Accepting God’s supremacy is the guarantee of our freedom and our dignity since the Glory of God is best revealed in a human being fully alive. They presented Jesus with a Roman coin with the Caesar’s image on it. However, we should never forget that we carry the image of God in us and that is the source of our dignity. We cannot allow God’s image in us to be erased. Give to God what belongs to God is the way to faithfulness and salvation.