October 22, 2023 Reflection

Give to God, what belongs to God.

In today’s Gospel taken from Matthew 22:15-21, we find a powerful teaching from Jesus about the relationship between faith and civic responsibility. This passage reads:

The Pharisees and Herodians seek to trap Him by asking whether it’s lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, knowing that any answer could incite opposition. Jesus responds with a profound principle that goes beyond the issue of taxation.

He points out that, while we have responsibilities to the state and should fulfill our civic duties, we also have higher obligations to God. By asking whose image is on the coin, Jesus draws attention to the fact that we are created in the image of God, and therefore, we must give ourselves wholly to Him.

This passage teaches us that our faith should not be compartmentalized; it should impact every aspect of our lives, including our civic responsibilities. We are citizens of both an earthly kingdom and the kingdom of God, and our actions should reflect this dual citizenship. So, as we engage with the world, let us strive to be good citizens, but never forget to give our hearts and souls to God, who deserves our ultimate allegiance.