Dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings invite us to reflect on a profound question: How do we navigate the dual responsibilities we have as Christians living in this world? The Word of God provides us with valuable insights on our obligations to both Caesar and, more importantly, to God.
In the first reading, we encounter a passage from the Book of Isaiah that might initially seem unrelated to the theme of the Gospel. It speaks of Cyrus, a pagan king anointed by God to serve His purposes. What’s significant here is the idea that God can work through even the most unlikely individuals for the fulfillment of His divine plan. This suggests that while we may have obligations to earthly authorities, our primary loyalty must always be to God, who can use even secular rulers for His greater design.
In the second reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, we hear about the faith and love of the early Christians in Thessalonica. These Christians embodied the message of Jesus and proclaimed the Gospel not only in words but also through their actions. Their works of faith, labor of love, and endurance in hope serve as a model for us. It reminds us that our faith should always be active, translating into tangible expressions of love, charity, and service in our communities.
And then we turn to the Gospel, where Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and the Herodians, who are trying to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. They present a question that seems to have no correct answer. If Jesus says that it’s lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He may be seen as collaborating with the oppressive Roman regime. If He says it’s not lawful, He could be seen as a rebel against the Roman authorities. But, as always, Jesus doesn’t fall into their trap. He takes their cunning question and leads us to a profound truth: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
This statement calls for a deeper reflection on our Christian duty. As Christians, we must honor our civic responsibilities, including paying taxes and obeying just laws. We should respect the secular authorities as long as their commands do not conflict with our obligations to God. However, the profound message is that our primary allegiance is to God. Just as Caesar’s image is imprinted on the coin, we bear the image of God. Our entire existence belongs to Him.
So, how do we balance these dual responsibilities? How do we give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s? It’s important to understand that the sphere of our Christian responsibilities is not limited to one hour on Sunday or the confines of a church building. Our faith and commitment to God should permeate every aspect of our lives.
We are called to live out our faith through our work, our families, our communities, and our relationships. It’s not enough to offer lip service to God while our actions and behaviors contradict our beliefs. We must remember that our faith should manifest in the way we interact with others, the love and charity we show to the less fortunate, and the forgiveness we extend to those who have wronged us. In essence, to repay to God what belongs to God, we must love God above all else, keep His commandments, and seek His will in all that we do. We must remember that our ultimate citizenship is not of this world but in the Kingdom of God.
As we continue our journey of faith, let’s take these lessons from today’s readings to heart. In our roles as citizens of our countries and as disciples of Christ, may we navigate the challenges, responsibilities, and decisions of life with faith, love, and hope, always acknowledging God’s image imprinted upon our hearts. When we face difficult choices, we should seek guidance in prayer, making sure that our decisions align with God’s will and bring glory to His name.
Ultimately, living our faith authentically and making choices in line with our Christian values is the best way to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.
Vietnamese Mass Homily