Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

By: Sister Joan Cawley

Opening Prayer

To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me. Psalm 17: 6,8

Scripture

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 temple 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.” Matthew 23:15-21

Reflection

One can imagine that when the Herodians and the Pharisees approach Jesus with their question, the people were listening eagerly for his response. How they would have loved to hear Jesus say, “Read my lips! Pay no taxes to Caesar!”

But Jesus doesn’t say that. He sees through their insincerity. The Pharisees have conspired with their own enemies, the Herodians, to set Jesus up. To them the situation is foolproof. Their cover-up is the tax imposed by Rome; their introduction to the ruse, a couple of flattering remarks. They think they have caught Jesus in the horns of a dilemma: the Herodians, who were pro-Roman descendants of King Herod, favor taxation in principle, while the Pharisees want an answer from Jesus rejecting the tax. Conversations on politics and religion have long drawn such dilemmas. No one wins.

With brilliant wit, Jesus offers a reply that answers, yet does not answer the question. Asking for a coin, Jesus puts them on the defensive because their possession of this coin is proof that they, not he, recognize Caesar’s government and benefit from Roman commerce. So much for their clever trap!

Then Jesus raises the real issue that concerns the all-important question of loyalty. After noting the image of Caesar on the borrowed coin, Jesus said, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Jesus is not supporting the modern concept of separation of church and state. Rather, he is emphasizing that priorities must be respected and that, in every case, God’s claims must be acknowledged. Jesus does not spell out the exact nature of the divine claims, but they are clearly revealed in his life and in his teachings.

In our society, there are many areas where loyalties, morals, and values have changed.

Have we given in to other powers that determine our lives rather than giving to God what belongs to God? Part of the responsibility of Christian adulthood is knowing that Jesus left no textbook providing solutions to every dilemma.

Jesus left us his word and his example, and in these we find the blueprint for living. Christian maturity demands personal choices. Adult Christians need to be people of prayer, people who reflect on their choices in the light of the Gospel and then make their decisions – and take responsibility for those decisions. Only then can we give to God what belongs to God.

Reflection Question

How am I exercising faithful, responsible citizenship? Am I informed and prepared to vote in the upcoming midterm elections?

Closing Prayer

God, make us firm in faith. Amen.

Welcoming the Holy