The Tribute to Caesar

On October 22, 2017, during the Angelus, Pope Francis drew from this Sunday’s Gospel passage a question each person can ask quietly: where their deepest belonging lies- family, work, or state. Each has their claims, yet the first belonging lies in God, in whose image every life is made.

Please read Pope Francis’ reflection below. Fraternally, Fr. Lalo.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!

This Sunday’s Gospel (Mt 22:15-21) presents to us a new face-to-face encounter between Jesus and his adversaries. The theme is the tribute to Caesar: a “thorny” issue over whether it was lawful to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, to whom Palestine was subject in Jesus’ time.

There were various positions. Thus, the Pharisees’ question to him—“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v. 17)—was meant to ensnare the Teacher. Depending on how he responded, they could have accused him of being either for or against Rome. But in this case, too, Jesus responds calmly and uses the malicious question to teach an important lesson, rising above the polemics and the alliance of his adversaries. He tells the Pharisees, “Show me the money for the tax.” They present him a coin, and Jesus looks at it and asks, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The Pharisees can only answer, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus concludes: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (cf. vv. 19-21).

On the one hand, suggesting they return to the emperor what belongs to him, Jesus declares that paying tax is not an act of idolatry, but a legal obligation to the earthly authority; on the other — and it is here that Jesus presents the “thrust” of his response: recalling the primacy of God, he asks them to render to Him that which is His due as the Lord of the life and history of mankind.

The reference to Caesar’s image engraved on the coin suggests that they are right to feel fully citizens of the State — with rights and duties— but, symbolically, it also prompts them to think about the other image imprinted on every man and woman: the image of God. He is the Lord of all, and we, who were created “in his image,” belong to Him first and foremost.

From the Pharisees’ question, Jesus draws a more radical and vital question for each of us, one we can ask ourselves: to whom do I belong? To family, to the city, to friends, to work, to politics, to the State? Yes, of course. But first and foremost — Jesus reminds us — you belong to God. This is the fundamental belonging. He has given you all that you are and have. Therefore, day by day, we can and must live in recognition of this fundamental belonging and in heartfelt gratitude to our Father, who creates each of us individually, unrepeatable, yet always in the image of his beloved Son, Jesus.

It is a wondrous mystery. Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in the human and social spheres without comparing “God” and “Caesar”; comparing God and Caesar would be a fundamentalist approach. Christians are called to commit themselves concretely in earthly realities, but illuminating them with the light that comes from God. Entrusting the primary trust to God and hoping in him does not imply an escape from reality, but rather a diligent rendering to God of what belongs to him. This is why a believer looks to the future reality of God, so as to live earthly life to the fullest and meet its challenges with courage. May the Virgin Mary help us always live in conformity with the image of God we bear within us, and also offer our contribution to building the earthly city. — Pope Francis

May the Lord always give you his peace.

Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish