WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR
Wk 9 Ordinary Time Mark 12.13-17
Sometimes we interpret giving to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what belongs to Him to mean that Caesar and God are competing. Caesar was a mortal man, as of now, no one knows where he is, no one can give him anything now. Meanwhile, we still give God what belongs to Him. Job realized this truth when he said, ‘naked I came into the world, naked I go.’ Like Job and like any other human being, Caesar came into this world naked.
Nothing actually belonged to Caesar in comparison to God. Caesar himself belonged to God. The Psalmist said, ‘in his riches, man lacks wisdom’. The things we have and are often make us forget that we are naked people. This is one reality death teaches every man and woman. When Jesus asked the people to give to Caesar what belongs to him, He was actually telling them to recognize Caesar for whom he was and recognize God for Whom God is.
Jesus represents Heavenly authority, Caesar represented earthly authority. Money and other perishable stuffs are the concern of Caesar, but our souls, our spiritual worship, our faith and devotion are the major concern of God. Paying our taxes and other civil responsibility should not make us lose sight of the Ultimate reality and our eternal destiny. While we give the Caesars of this world what belong them, May we always remember to give God what belongs to Him; gratitude, worship, faith, trust, obedience and righteousness.
May He also give us the glory and honor that belong to us as the children of His kingdom through Christ our Lord. Amen
‘A CHRISTIAN IS NOT AN ORDINARY PERSON’
