INTRODUCTION
The common theme that cuts across the readings of today is the call to our obligations towards God and towards our society. Each one of us is an instrument in the hand of God to bring about good in a human society especially the promotion of the wellbeing of others.
On this mission Sunday, the Holy Father Pope Francis writes: “The mission, the ‘Church on the move’, is not a programme, an enterprise to be carried out by sheer force of will. It is Christ who makes the Church go out of herself. In the mission of evangelization, you move because the Holy Spirit pushes you, and carries you” (31 May 2020). The Church renews her call for all to rise up for mission especially on these dark days of our time. Every christian should be able to say: “I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world…to bring light, blessing, enliven, raise up, heal and free.” (Evangelii Gaudium).
This sums up the message of the Gospel which proposes to us how we can be ideal citizens here on earth while in pursuit of the Heavenly citizenship.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
The Cyrus the Great, was reckoned as the founder of the Persian Empire.
In the year 539 B.C., he waged war against the kingdom of Babylon and conquered it. It was a defeat that saw to the liberation of the Jews who had been under the babylonian rule for over 50 years. Cyrus instead of taking the Jews into slavery decided to allow them to go back to their home country (Judea). The prophesy of Isaiah in today’s reading underlines how God’s action often contradicts human mind; His choice of Cyrus, a pagan became a providential instrument for the liberation of his chosen people. Isaiah simply communicates how God in his generosity is able to look beyond the confines of the ‘godly’ so as to use the ‘ungodly’ to achieve his aims. This certainly certifies every curiosity about the omnipotent nature of God. He allowed his Spirit to guide Cyrus in carrying out his plan of losing the Jews from the bondage of oppression and leading them to regain their homeland and to rebuild their ruined Temple and city. Cyrus equally made sure that the gold and silver vessels carted away by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple of Jerusalem were restored back. Isn’t it wonderful that God is capable of anything? Yes our God does whatever He wills. He made a pagan king an instrument of salvation for his people.
The message of Isaiah is clear. Every human being is important in the eyes of God. We are all instruments in the hand of God irrespective of our origin and our status. Therefore, we should be careful when we feel that we are no more worthy to be chosen by God. Yes, our personal limitations may draw us away from God, but God’s love is meant to draw us back to our real self. God can never be through with us until He is through with us. There is something in each one of us that attracts God’s attention. We can be chosen by Him at anytime and any day as long as we listen to his voice that speaks in the silence of our consciences.
SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
Bible scholars believe that this letter, addressed to the new Jewish and the Gentile Christians of northern Greece (Thessalonica), is the earliest document of the whole New Testament, written in Corinth in A.D. 50. There was more Faith, Hope and Charity among the Thessalonians than Paul could credit to his own preaching; the Holy Spirit was clearly at work. Along with 1 Thes 5:8, this is the earliest mention in Christian literature of the three “theological virtues” (see 1 Cor 13:13). From today’s text it is clear that these people worked hard at being Christians, and that Saint Paul thought that praiseworthy. Hence, he praised his converts for their fidelity to God and to Christ, assuring them of his prayers. He hoped that they would continue to be faithful to the call God had given them, a call proved by the many gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed on them. (Fr. Anthony kadavil)
GOSPEL: Matthew 22:15-21
1. CONTEXT:
In the time of Jesus, Palestine was occupied by the Romans. In fact, at the moment of his birth, Palestine was under the governance of emperor Augustus. During this time, the Jews were forced to pay three types of tax to the Roman Emperor: the ground tax, the income tax and the census tax or poll tax. As ground tax, a man must pay to the government one tenth of the grain and one fifth of the oil and wine which he produced. This tax was paid partly in kind and partly in money equivalent. There was income tax which was 1% of a man’s income. There was a census, or poll tax. This tax, which amounted to one denarius, must be paid yearly for every male person from the age of fourteen to the age of sixty-five and for every female person from the age of twelve to sixty-five. This question concerned the census/poll tax. A census tax implied that, if one were a citizen, one owed the money to the Emperor (William Barkley).
2. PHARISEES, SADDUCEES, HERODIANS
The Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians were the three prominent Jewish sects in the days of Jesus.
THE PHARISEES were characterized by a strict observance of the Torah (the Law), be it written or oral (with extra 613 precepts) and especially the three precepts: The observance of the sabbath, the law of purity (food, person and things) and the tithe offering (given to the poor corresponding to ten percent of ones income). They were well respected by the people and at the same time considered as masters and examples of religiosity. They and the greater number of the people were against the roman rule as well as against Herod and the Herodians who collaborated with the Romans. In fact, the Pharisees taught that it is not lawful to be under the Roman emperor nor to pay tribute to his officials.
THE SADDUCEES
The Sadducees made up the political high ranking officials among the Jews. They were also the priestly class. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees accepted only the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and rejected the Oral Torah as held by the Pharisees. Hence, they saw the written Torah as the sole source of divine authority. Some of their principal religious convictions is the fact that there is nothing like fate, man has the free choice of good or evil, The rejection of the immortality of the soul (there is no afterlife) and there are no rewards or penalties after death etc.
THE HERODIANS
The Herodians with the name derived from Herod the great were close collaborators with the Romans over the affairs of the Jewish population, and were helping the Romans to collect the taxes imposed on the Jews. As a reward, the emperors were meant to guarantee them political powers and protection against the possible violence from the people. However, the Pharisees were open enemies of the Herodians.
3. MOTIVE OF TODAY’S QUESTION TO JESUS
In the account of the preceding chapter of the same Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had launched several attacks on the religious authorities and the leading men of the people. He made use of three parables in which he had plainly indicted the orthodox Jewish leaders. In the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) the Jewish leaders appear under the guise of the unsatisfactory son who did not do his father’s will. In the parable of the wicked husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46) they are the wicked husbandmen. In the parable of the king’s feast (Matthew 22:1-14) they are the condemned guests.
Now we see the Jewish leaders launching their counterattack; and they do so by directing at Jesus carefully formulated questions. They ask these questions in public, while the crowd look on and listen, and their aim is to make Jesus discredit himself by his own words in the presence of the people.
The Pharisees and the Herodians who were enemies united themselves against Jesus and asked: “IS IT LAWFUL TO PAY TAXES TO CAESAR, OR NOT?” Such was a subtle question full of malice. If Jesus says YES, they will accuse him of being friend with the Romans, their oppressors. Thus, they will find reasons to put to question his claim of being the Messiah. On the other hand, if He says NO, they will certainly accuse him before the Roman authorities of being subversive. Thus, both sides appeared like a road without exit. But Jesus knowing fully well their intention asked them to show him the money for the tax.
The money in question was designed in such a way that one side had the effigy of emperor Tiberius Caesar with a crown of gold on his head which stood as a sign of divine dignity with the latin inscription, “Tiberius Caesar Augustus”, son of the divine Augustus. The other side of the money had the latin inscription, “Pontifex Maximus” (highest pontiff) which stood as an exaltation of the cult of the emperor and of his divination.
Having examined the money, Jesus asked his adversaries; “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said, “Caesar’s.”In those days, all secular money was assumed to belong to the Emperor. Therefore, the Temple had its own coinage that was not meant to be used for secular purposes. Thus, the Emperor’s image was on each secular coin. Because of the political power exercized over the Jews, Roman coins, which bore the Emperor’s image were in common circulation in Palestine where neither gold nor silver coins were permitted to be struck. Hence, the Jewish people were forced to make use of it, whether they liked it or not. Such imposition gave rise to certain revolutionaries around the year A.D. 6. who protested the use of such coins. Such rebellious act incurred a terrible Roman retaliation.
In today’s Gospel, it is terrible to see how the adversaries of Jesus manifested their wickedness just for the purpose of trapping him down. If they were actually concerned about paying Roman taxes, they obviously ought not to be carrying this coin! So, by having a Roman coin in their possession, complete with Caesar’s image and Caesar’s inscription, they already showed where their loyalties lay. But Jesus said, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s.”
The keyword to understand the meaning of the response of Jesus is ‘image.’ The term image was used by the author of the Book of Genesis to describe the relationship between God and man: “God created man in his own image and likeness” (Gen. 1:27). Such implies that Caesar who had his image imprinted on the money as a way of self divination is first of all an image of God. Thus, such a claim was a blasphemy because no man must make himself to be adored as God. However, Jesus in his response, “Give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s was much more concerned with the fact ‘image’ and not the money. Thus by implication He told his adversaries to give back the money to Caesar but as for them like all men, “Give to God that which is God’s.” In other words, the image of Caesar is imprinted on the money but you are all made in the image of God and God’s image is imprinted in you, and by consequence, you are all God’s properties, God’s debtors, and you must give to God that which is God’s that is, the tribute of adoration, of obedience, of dedication and above all your lives. With such answer, Jesus succeeded in putting his adversaries into confusion.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PASSAGE
Dual citizenship and dual obligations: This doctrine is sometimes called the “doctrine of the two powers,” or the “two realms,” meaning that the life of a Christian involves a twofold allegiance: to the ruling government in civil and secular issues, and to God and the Church as regards spiritual and religious issues. We only become the citizens of the country of our birth at the moment we are born. But before we are born, we existed in God and our Baptism confirms our heavenly citizenship. In every age, Christians are faced with balancing the demands of Caesar with the commands of God. Jesus’ answer forms the guiding principle in solving the problems that often arise from our dual citizenship, belonging to God and to our country. As Christians, we are to obey the government, even when it is pagan and non-Christian. A loyal Christian is always a loyal citizen. Failure in good citizenship is also failure in Christian duty. We fulfill our duties to our country by loyally obeying the just laws of the State, by paying all lawful taxes, and by contributing our share, whenever called on, toward the common good. Both St. Peter (1 Pt 2:13-14), and St. Paul (Rom 13:1-7), stressed the obligation of the early Christians to be an example to all in their loyalty as citizens of the state. Similarly, we fulfill our duties to God by being faithful, loyal, active members of the spiritual Kingdom of God, the Church, which Christ established on earth. Thus, a real Christian is, at one and the same time, a good citizen of his country and a good citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, but his priority is his allegiance to God. As the famous martyr St. Thomas More said of himself: “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” Cooperation with secular authority may not interfere with our primary duty of “giving back to God” our whole selves, in whose image – like the stamp on the coin – we are made. Consequently, we give taxes to the government, but we give ourselves to God. (Fr. Anthony kadavil)
MESSAGE
1. TO CAESAR AND TO GOD
The response of Jesus to his adversaries as we saw in the Gospel today had been misinterpreted to suit the ideology of some contra-religious groups over the centuries. We may be familiar with the slogan: ‘PRIESTS, STICK TO THE SACRISTY.’ It is a slogan that is often used among those who tend to see in Jesus’ answer an argument for the separation of Church and state, and those who do not want to hear the voice of the Church in political issues. Meanwhile we learn that Jesus did enjoin his adversaries to pay their tax not because it is done in the name of Caesar but as a socio-political responsibility. In other words, ones faithfulness to God is not incompatible to his citizenship or civic responsibilities. Put differently, being a Christian does not mean a substitution of or a suppression of ones civic identity. What is incongruous is rather an indifferent Christian who is strange to the community where he belongs, a Christian who does not pay tax, a Christian who does not vote, and anarchic Christian who does not contribute to the common good. Through Jesus we learn that one who truly gives first to God what belongs to God will certainly be disposed to give to the state what belongs to the state. The Christian who gives to God all that belongs to God will never in his obedience to the state recognize the state as the ultimate, and will never allow his conscience and his faith to be dominated by the state because he is sure that both the state and its authority belong to God. It is also the responsibility of the religious leaders to guide the vision and choices of the faithful against certain secular oriented visions that do not aim at the fulfilment of the goal of human existence. PRIESTS STICK TO THE SACRISTY shows a misunderstanding of the responsibility of the religious leaders. Those who push the priests to the sacristy fail to understand that the majority of the citizens cling to one faith or the other, and ipso facto the religious leaders have a say to whatever concerns the wellbeing of the citizenry. In any case this happens only in a sane society that is, a society that has not yet relegated God behind its principles and policies.
2. THE CAESARS OF OUR TIME
We have Caesars in our different societies. These may be represented by rulers who are, in effect Dictators, and who are known to implement policies that often go against our faith and morals; policies that kill our hopes and dreams, our consciences, our wellbeing and jeopardize the future of our children. Any government that is out to legalize any form of practice that does not respect the sacrosanct nature of human life is Caesaric in nature. When the freedom for abortion, euthanasia, same sex marriage and the rest becomes a culture of the people, then Caesar has taken the place of God. When the quest for ones freedom endangers the freedom of the other, then we cannot talk about freedom. Freedom is freedom only when it produces good and not evil. Christians must wake up to stand for what is right in a society whereby ‘Caesars’ dominate their subjects. In a democratic society, the citizens do not serve the state — the state serves the people not how it wants but in a way that fulfill the goal of human life. The elected government officials are public servants and not dictators and gladiators. The government cannot impliment policies that are against the Christian moral principles and yet expect the Christians not to be free to criticize them, to seek for change of the policies, to push for the removal of officeholders whose representation is invalid, and to seek for their benefits and protections in the society where they are also citizens. Our political liberty should be able to secure our freedom from religious tyranny and unwanted political interference in religious matters. Christians must learn to act in accordance with God’s law and not man’s because, while the state only exists in this world, God’s law exists in this world and the next. This means that sometimes we have to refuse to obey our government. It is not a rebellion but a just course and a price to pay for a fundamental option for God who supersedes every other authority.
3. CALLED TO INVEST OUR HEARTS
When Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” He simply awakens our consciences to the obligation to invest our hearts in the right place, in something worthy of our life’s blood, something that will yield a return that is worthy of a whole human life. It is a configuration of ones life in God, the only Being that merits all we have and are. There are three sets of persons with different relationships with God. There are those who do not know God and are not interested in knowing him let alone giving their lives to him. We equally have those who though believe in God but do not know whether they belong to God or not because their style of life do not always show that they truly know God. And then we have those who truly struggle everyday to live out their Christian calling despite all odds. They represent their faith wherever they find themselves through their dealings with others.In all, there is only one way to find out where one has invested his or her heart. This is known through our daily choices, both in the little and in the big. The coin handed over to Jesus in the Gospel had an imprint of the image of Caesar. It is meant to call our attention to ask ourselves about whose image others see in us when they look at our lives. Do they truly see Jesus engraved upon us? What do we truly represent? Is God’s image still visible in us, or have we erased it for the image the world offers us?
PRAYER
Almighty and Ever Living God, You created us out of love and for a purpose; grant that we may always conform our wills to yours and to serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PAX VOBIS!
