29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Oct. 19, 2008 (Mt 22:15-21)
The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"
Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?"
They replied, "Caesar's"
At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
In our gospel today, we see the Pharisees and the Herodians again trying to ensnare Jesus through His words. They try to trap Him this time regarding the census tax. If Jesus says it was lawful to pay the census tax, He would be rebuked as a supporter of the Romans. If He said it was not, then they would consider Him a rebel.
Jesus was wise in answering that we should give to Caesar what is due him and to God what is due Him. This answer tells us that our life here on earth does not necessarily hinder us in living as sons of God. Jesus tells us that we have obligations to meet as citizens of this world in the same way that we have obligations to meet as "citizens" of heaven. We live in this world, but we must beware of becoming worldly. We do not belong to this world for we belong in heaven, we belong to God.
Seek first the kingdom of heaven, it is said. We should offer our all to God. This doesn't mean that we should spend all our time in the church. Our daily life can be an offering to God. Everything we do, even if it seems to have nothing to do with the Church or religion, can be an offering to God. Jesus said we should give God whatever belongs to Him. But everything belongs to God! Therefore, everything we do is an offering to God. We give glory to God by the things we do. As Jesus said, "You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Mt 5:14, 16).
Nevertheless, we still shouldn't forget our obligations that are purely spiritual in nature. As Christians, we are bound to pray and to worship God. Furthermore, as Catholics who recognize the value of both individual and community prayer, we are bound to attend Mass at least every Sunday. Religion is our response to God's goodness. We are not asked to attend Mass everyday, but only once a week. We are not asked to pray every novena known to Christendom, but we are asked to pray with our whole hearts. This is giving to God the praise due Him as our Creator, Savior and Guide.
God said, "You are dust and to dust you shall return." (Gen 3:19). Similarly, we are God's and to God we shall return... for to God we all belong.
The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"
Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?"
They replied, "Caesar's"
At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
In our gospel today, we see the Pharisees and the Herodians again trying to ensnare Jesus through His words. They try to trap Him this time regarding the census tax. If Jesus says it was lawful to pay the census tax, He would be rebuked as a supporter of the Romans. If He said it was not, then they would consider Him a rebel.
Jesus was wise in answering that we should give to Caesar what is due him and to God what is due Him. This answer tells us that our life here on earth does not necessarily hinder us in living as sons of God. Jesus tells us that we have obligations to meet as citizens of this world in the same way that we have obligations to meet as "citizens" of heaven. We live in this world, but we must beware of becoming worldly. We do not belong to this world for we belong in heaven, we belong to God.
Seek first the kingdom of heaven, it is said. We should offer our all to God. This doesn't mean that we should spend all our time in the church. Our daily life can be an offering to God. Everything we do, even if it seems to have nothing to do with the Church or religion, can be an offering to God. Jesus said we should give God whatever belongs to Him. But everything belongs to God! Therefore, everything we do is an offering to God. We give glory to God by the things we do. As Jesus said, "You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Mt 5:14, 16).
Nevertheless, we still shouldn't forget our obligations that are purely spiritual in nature. As Christians, we are bound to pray and to worship God. Furthermore, as Catholics who recognize the value of both individual and community prayer, we are bound to attend Mass at least every Sunday. Religion is our response to God's goodness. We are not asked to attend Mass everyday, but only once a week. We are not asked to pray every novena known to Christendom, but we are asked to pray with our whole hearts. This is giving to God the praise due Him as our Creator, Savior and Guide.
God said, "You are dust and to dust you shall return." (Gen 3:19). Similarly, we are God's and to God we shall return... for to God we all belong.
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