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."- Matt 22:19-21
Friends,
God is good, all the time.
A priest friend shared a story of two elderly couple he visited to bring them Holy Communion. They expressed their appreciation for making time despite his busy schedule to bring them communion. One day, they extended the appreciation conversation to the neighbors and cited a neighbor who helped them get their garbage to the truck. And they said amusingly, "they are not even Catholics."
In today's gospel, Jesus addresses a fundamental question that was intended to land in political hot water with the political authorities: Herod and Caesar. The Pharisees and the Herodians having teamed up to push him to answer a question that was so political, asked his view on the census tax do Caesar. Jesus conclusively told them to repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God. To his disciples, this meant that they have both religious and civic responsibilities to honor.
But what does Jesus mean by giving to God what belongs to him? He Goes back to Genesis, where we learn that God created the man and woman in his image and gave them the breath of life. Consequently, any offspring of the man and woman are also made in the image of God for his purpose. So, you see what Jesus is saying. The baby in the womb is given to God when allowed to live for God's glory. It is God's decision then, not any person's that a baby in the womb should live or not live. And we give God his image when we allow the baby from the moment of conception to live. This was the insight Joseph gained when the angel announced to him about Mary's conception of Jesus right from the start, even before people would notice that Mary was carrying a baby. Jesus' response has an additional significance. It also means that every life on earth has the image of God embossed on their soul and must be respected, valued, supported, and allowed to keep living until God ends it. Therefore, God's real image shines in every life from conception until death and must be treated accordingly.
Let me illustrate this reflection with the story of Saint Emma of Gurk, Austria. Born about AD 1000, she was married to William, who became wealthy from an inheritance. About the year 1015, the two sons of William and Emma were murdered. William wanted to avenge the murder; however, a strong urge to make a pilgrimage to Rome before his plan led to a different outcome.
On his way from the Rome, he died. Left alone with great wealth, Emma decided to spend her riches on the poor and the church by giving to the poor and establishing churches and monasteries. She also ensured that the church became a place of refuge for all people.
Like Saint Mother Theresa, Emma was acclaimed by the people before the church even proclaimed her as a saint. These women recognized the image of God in all the people they dedicated their lives and resources to serve. Is not what Jesus meant by giving to God what belongs to God? That we treat life with respect and value because it is sacred and support it all the way to the end of life?
Let's conclude with the first reading in which God speaks of Cyrus of Persia as someone he has chosen and armed to for his purpose, though he didn't know God? God was willing to work with a pagan king who didn’t know him because God knew him from birth as made in his image for to carry out his purpose. Like the "guys cross the streets, who "were not even Catholic and yet did so much good to the elderly couple, we are called to show kindness, love, compassion, care, justice, and support people because they have the imprint of God in their souls.
Prayer blessings: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.