TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, October 18, 2026
(Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21)
Just as the year is drawing to a close, our reading of the
Gospel according to St. Matthew is ending. Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem where
he will be executed in a few days. He has criticized the leadership of the
Jewish people for their failure to lead the people to holiness. In fact, he has
told three parables accusing the leadership of exploiting their offices for wealth
and power. We witnessed all of this in the Gospels of the last three Sundays.
In today's Gospel, the leaders want revenge. They not only seek
to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the people but also to have him crucified by
the Roman government. They send the Pharisees and the Herodians to catch him in
a treasonous slip of the tongue. His enemies disguise their intentions when
they encounter him with flattering words: “Teacher, we know that you are
sincere and teach truthfully… you don’t seek anyone’s favor.” In the Gospel of
Matthew, anyone who calls Jesus “teacher” is his enemy. Judas will do so twice;
the Pharisees and Herodians do it here.
His opponents pose to Jesus the now-famous question: “Is it
lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” Jesus is caught between a rock and a hard
place. If he answers that they shouldn’t pay the tax, the
Herodians—collaborators with the Romans—will report that he is inciting
sedition. After all, paying taxes is a Roman law. But if he says they should
pay it, the Pharisees will inform the people that Jesus supports the Romans.
This would cause the people to abandon him since Rome’s presence in Israel is
deeply resented. With keen insight, Jesus uncovers their plan. He doesn’t
answer the question directly. Rather, he frustrates his opponents by stating
the obvious: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” In
fact, he puts them on the defensive when he asks for a coin. They carry the coin
with Caesar’s image, indicating that they, not Jesus, willingly cooperate with
the emperor.
Nevertheless, we are left with the questions: What do we owe
to the state? And, what do we owe God? The state requires the virtue of
patriotism from us. This is to say, we owe obedience to the state’s laws, informed
participation in its elections, and military service in defense of peace. To
God, our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer, we owe everything. We owe Him even
patriotism because, according to St. Paul, God establishes governments to
maintain order among the people. We can express our debt to God in three
phrases. We owe Him truth in all that we say, service in all that we do, and
love in all that we desire.
Very well. We should pay taxes, fight in wars, and obey the
laws. But what if the taxes are exorbitant, the war is declared rashly, and the
laws are patently unjust? To what extent are we obligated to serve the state?
We pray every day, “… lead us not into
temptation,” to avoid such difficult situations. But if they befall us, we hope
that we can act with prudence and fortitude. We want to give glory to God as we
show ourselves opposed to injustice.
