Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 22, 15-21
The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion,
for you do not regard a person’s status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
“Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
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.”
Give what you must
1) The laity. This refers to all baptized people, except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state. As laity, we are responsible for forming honest, ethical people and good leaders. This is an experience that was lived intensely when Cardinal Karlic, of Argentina, asked for forgiveness in the Jubilee year 2000. He said: “In a country where the great majority of people are Catholic, we are the 2nd most corrupt country in Latin America.” This hurt enormously! Many of Argenina’s present day political figures have studied at Catholic schools and attended our churches. We must form our laypeople better!
2) Social Doctrine of the Church. We must clearly deepen our understanding of the Social Doctrine of the Church and put it into practice. This is something that the last popes have emphasized greatly: how as laypeople, we must commit ourselves fully. There is great apathy towards political matters, but we must become “citizens” rather than mere inhabitants in our country. The salvation brought about by Christ and, consequently, the mission of the Church, covers man in his totality, including the social sphere. Christianity cannot be restricted to mere devotions: it is first and foremost a way of living in society. We need to assume responsibility for our country by working conscientiously, studying hard, and being good leaders. What do you do for your country ?
3) Double life. We cannot behave one way in church, and another, completely different way in society. How many times are we witnesses to this?! There are pious people that attend church constantly, but they love to gossip and manipulate others. We must be coherent with what we believe. Everything must be in its place: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.” This does not mean that our political leaders are at the same level as God, but what it implies is that we must assume responsibility in all our actions in the church and in society. Let’s pray for our country. I am not asking that you become a politician, rather that you should work for your country in small meaningful ways; for example, start by not throwing trash on the street and helping those in need.
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Remember that something good is on the way!
