Today’s Gospel:  Matthew 22:15-21

REFLECTION
Historical records indicate there were three regular taxes which the Roman government exacted. There was a GROUND TAX which a man was required to pay to the government one tenth of the grain, and one fifth of the oil and wine which he produced. There was an INCOME TAX, which was one per cent of a man’s income. There was a POLL TAX which had to be paid by every male person from the age of 14 to the age of 65, and by every female person from the age of 12 to 65. This amounted to one denarius - that is what Jesus called the tribute coin, and was the equivalent of the average amount paid for a day’s labor in the vineyard. The tax in question in today’s Gospel is the poll tax.

The apparently simple question was dangerous. If the Lord had replied that it was correct to pay the tax, the common people would have been incensed, for everyone hated paying taxes to the heathen Romans. Caesar was acclaimed as one of the gods, and demanded worship from his subjects. Every Hebrew considered it sacrilege to worship any God except Jehovah. If Christ had endorsed the paying of taxes, He would have become embroiled in one of the fiercest debates within Israel. Yet, if He had opposed taxation, the Herodians present would have informed Herod and the Romans, and this would have led to the Lord’s arrest. Whatever He said, so they thought, there would be sufficient evidence to cause trouble, and the discrediting of Jesus would lead to the termination of His ministry.

In Jesus’ time, the first order given by a new Caesar authorized the issue of new coinage bearing the image of the ruler. This caused one of the chief complaints made by Jews against foreign currency. It was unlawful to bring the “blasphemous” money into the temple, for each coin announced the deity of the person whose image and superscription it carried. The Lord easily read the motives of His questioners, and avoided the pitfall into which they hoped He would fall. Jesus said, “If this coin belongs to Caesar, then give it to Him. There are other things which should be given to God.” Thus did He teach that every man has a duty to perform to the country in which he lives. Even the Romans brought blessings to Palestine; they erected houses and made roads. They built aqueducts to supply water, and if the Jews enjoyed these amenities, they should have been willing to pay a share of the cost. The Roman legions preserved Israel from invasions made by warlike neighbors, and the rule of law and order offered protection against thieves and other criminals. These services were expensive to provide, and all Jews should have been willing to help carry the financial burden.

Many people stress the fact they are citizens of heaven, and therefore have no responsibility for anything in this world. They abstain from taking part in elections; they never exercise their right to vote, and yet they are the first to criticize the decadence of their political leaders. No onlooker has the right to be critical unless he is willing to do what is possible to correct the situation. If men desire good government, they should work to place good people in office. If they wish for safe communities, they should help to elect officials who share their views. The man who has no interest in this world should not be in it! Any citizen who is not willing to pay his share of taxation should not use the public highways; he should be deprived of heat, light, and water, and should be alone on a distant island where he could be king over himself! Even now, we must render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, and to God the things which belong to God. Paying taxes to Caesar does not mean worship at his feet.

Today’s Reading:  Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

PRAYER
Lord, help us to live as good Christians IN this world, but not necessarily OF this world.  Help us to be good citizens of out country, while at the same time being good citizens of heaven.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.