XXIX Sunday in Ordinary time (A)

Give to Caesar What Belongs to Caesar, and to God What Belongs to God

First reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6               Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10   

Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b                    Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees and the Herodians set a trap for Jesus by asking Him whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. In their cunning, they begin by addressing him with flattering words. What they say about Jesus is true, but their words do not come from sincere hearts. Their intentions are malicious, and Jesus knows it. First, He exposes their hypocrisy by asking, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?” (Mt 22:18). After they show him a denarius, Jesus asks, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” (Mt 22:20). When they answer, “Caesar’s,” He gives them a profound teaching: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Mt 22:21).

This teaching highlights the distinction between our civic responsibilities and our spiritual duties. We must fulfill our legitimate obligations to civil authorities, including paying taxes, but we must never give to earthly rulers the worship and adoration that belong to God alone. Caesar is not God, nor is he the Son of God. His image is engraved on the coin, but God's image is imprinted on us, as the Book of Genesis reminds us: “God created mankind in his image” (Gn 1:27). Therefore, while we respect civil authorities and fulfill our duties as citizens, we must reserve our worship and adoration for God alone. All earthly authority is ultimately subject to God's sovereignty, and every ruler is called to exercise authority in accordance with His justice and truth. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

In the first reading, we see another example of God's universal sovereignty. God chooses Cyrus, the king of Persia, as his instrument to free his people from exile in Babylon and allow them to return to their homeland. Even though Cyrus does not belong to the people of Israel, God uses him to accomplish his divine purpose. This reminds us that God's power extends over all nations and rulers. He is the one true God, worthy of our worship and adoration.

In the second reading, Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, expresses his gratitude for the Christians of Thessalonica. He praises their faith, love, and hope, as well as their reception of the Gospel, not merely as a human message but as the Word of God, made fruitful in them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul had founded this Christian community and had endured suffering because of the Gospel. He was eventually forced to leave Thessalonica earlier than he had wished. He longed to see the Thessalonians again, just as they longed to see him. Although they were separated physically, they remained united in faith and prayer.

When Timothy returned with news about the community, Paul was encouraged by their perseverance. He wrote to strengthen their faith and encourage them to remain steadfast in their communion with God. Their conversion was evident in the way they turned away from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath (1 Thes 1:9–10). Their lives became a witness to the Gospel among their neighbors.

The First Letter to the Thessalonians is the first inspired writing of the New Testament. Paul wrote it about twenty years after Christ’s ascension.

So, we must ask ourselves: Do we truly give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God?

Do we fulfill our responsibilities as citizens while remaining faithful to God? Do we recognize that our very lives bear the image of God and that we belong ultimately to him?

The coin bears Caesar's image, but we bear God's image. We are called to offer God not merely a portion of our time, our resources, or our attention, but our whole selves: our hearts, our minds, our love, and our lives.