THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Tob 2:9-14

Ps 112

Mark 12:13-17

To God what belongs to God

Jesus is asked many questions in the course of the gospels. Many of them are sincere questions expressing a longing for truth. Some question Jesus out of much less noble motives, such as in this morning’s gospel reading (Mk 12:13-17). 

Jesus is questioned by an unusual alliance of Pharisees and Herodians. The Pharisees were very committed to Jewish Law and were wary of foreign rulers and their representatives. The Herodians were supporters of Herod Antipas who was a client ruler of Rome. The question they ask is not sincere; it is an attempt to trap Jesus, ‘Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ If Jesus answered ‘no’, an answer pleasing to the Pharisees, the Herodians could report him to Herod as a subversive. If he answered ‘yes’, an answer pleasing to the Herodians, he would have lost popular support because the people experienced the various Roman taxes as an unjust burden. The answer Jesus gives to the question is somewhat elusive and thought-provoking, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and God what belongs to God’. The coin his questioners had in their pocket had Caesar’s image on it; it belongs to him; it can be given back to him. 

What is it that belongs to God? Jesus will go on to say that God is to be loved with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our whole being belongs to God in love. Whatever is owed to Caesar, to the political power of the day, is minuscule compared to what is owed to God. Jesus seems to be saying that our duty to the political powers must be lived in a way that is consistent with the much greater duty that we owe to God.

Let us pray: Father, may I leave to You what is Yours, that is vengeance. May I instead give only love and kindness to those who hurt me? Amen

+Remain blessed