Cycle A - Year I:  

22 October 2023: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Second Reading:   1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Gospel:  Please read  Matthew 22:15-21 

Dual Citizenship!

The term "dual citizenship" is usually used for those who reach the golden age of 60 years. They have "dual" because they are citizens of a country and now also called "senior citizens" by age.

The Gospel incident for this Sunday is a trap laid by our Lord's enemies, the Pharisees, to entrap our Jesus in a religious-state issue so they can file a case against Him. They asked Him a tricky question: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" (Mt 22:17)   

The Pharisees expected our Lord to answer with "no" so that they would have grounds to report Him to Roman authorities for "treason". And if Jesus answered with a "yes", then He would be supporting the Emperor and thus would lose credibility with the Jewish populace.  The question is like a "double-edged sword" and whatever answer our Lord Jesus gives the Pharisees will still find a case against Him.

Jesus outsmarted His enemies. Instead of just answering with a "yes" or "no" Jesus turned the table against them. And using the Roman coin used to pay the census tax, Jesus gives them a profound answer: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." (Mt 22:21)

Jesus' response is well known among Christians but also the most misunderstood. It is used, for example, to argue about a complete separation between the Church and the state. But a deeper reflection on the wisdom of our Lord's words will reveal that they are actually complementary to achieve an authentic Christian living.

But first let us be clear that Jesus did not come to our world to teach and discuss tax policy, or to play politics. He did not suffer death on the cross and the glory of the resurrection to reorder international boundaries. His mission was to save people from their sin.

Now, in reality every Christian holds dual citizenship, each with its own benefits and duties. Our birth makes us citizens of an earthly nation; our baptism makes us citizens of a heavenly kingdom. That is why Christ commands to live out both with justice and responsibility, unless, of course, "Caesar" tries to claim rights that belong only to God.

Our Lord reminds us that the state has a legitimate sphere of authority and so as citizens of the world we have an obligation to render to the state whatever material or personal services are required for the common good of society.

But also at the same time Jesus makes it clear that we are citizens not only of the state but also of the kingdom of God. In fact, we belong to God first and foremost. Because God is our first and ultimate authority. It is from God that everyone and everything derives their power. Civil authorities play an important role and are obligued to act with justice in the distribution of goods and services.  They have to legislate laws and govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people, like the protection of life, the defense of marriage and family, and ensure religious freedom. But also the state does not enjoy absolute power and dominion over us.

When it comes to the fundamental question of social morality, we should be fully aware that our faith serves as a powerful light illuminating the whole of life. In this sense, the teaching of God and His Church are our sure guide for authentic growth and development, and they are not obstacle to human welfare or scientific progress.

In today's Gospel incident, just as the Roman coin bears the image of the Emperor who made it, so the human soul bears the "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26) of God who calls each of us into existence so as to live in personal communion with Him.

Christians are called to be responsible citizens of the world, helping the state to achieve its mission of providing for the common good, spreading love and charity to all, taking care of the environment.  Doing so prepares them to be good citizens of God's kingdom even while still here on earth, by living authentic Christian life, so that as we complete our life's journey we are ready to assume full citizenship in heaven.

World Mission Sunday: Let us assist and support the mission of the Church in spreading the Gospel by praying for all missionaries (priests, religious and lay) who labor out of love to continue with evangelizing the world. May the Lord protect them from every harm, and reward their efforts in this world and in the next. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!