Reflection for Sunday, October 22; 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time; Matthew 22:15-21

Gospel: Matthew 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."

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Reflection:

Why do people protest against their government? People protest because they feel that they are not being given what is due them by their government.

For example, people expects the following from their government leaders: Honest governance, Effective delivery of basic services, Leadership, competence and so forth. The moment these expectations are not meet there would be discontent sooner or later.  However, if these expectations are meet there would be peace and progress and they would honestly pay tax to the government.   

In the gospel Jesus is asked: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Jesus asked for a coin and said: "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" they replied: “Caesar’s” then Jesus uttered this famous line: “So, repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:21)."

All along Jesus knew about their deceitful plan to entrap Him based on what He would say, that’s why He told them: "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites (Matthew 22:18)? So Jesus gave them a wisdom filled answer. “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:21)."

If the government is meeting our expectations let us do our duty by rightfully paying our taxes and by obeying its laws. But we also have to be vigilant so that we would not be abused and fooled by our government. Whose leaders mandate emanates from its people whom they swore to serve.

What is our obligation towards God? We have to always honor Him by following His two greatest commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37, 39).”

We show our love for God by our pious presence at Holy Mass, by reading the Bible and other reading materials that relate to God, by praying the Rosary and by our prayers that emanates from our hearts. We show our love for our fellowmen by helping them in whatever way possible.

We always have to honor our obligation for God for the simple reason that unlike government who often times does not satisfactorily fulfill its obligation towards us. God has always been fulfilling His obligations for us.

Are you able to fulfill your obligation for God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas