Give the Lord glory and honor

This Sunday, when presented with a choice intended to trip him up, Jesus finds a way to answer that confounds those trying to trick him. When asked by the Pharisees "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?", Jesus is being placed in a hard position. If he says yes, then it will look like he is abandoning his own nation and is willing to submit to the hated foreign power. If he says no, then he is making himself an enemy to the Romans and putting himself in danger of being arrested.

In the midst of this apparent trap, Jesus gives an answer that surprises: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." In so doing, Jesus seems to us to be giving a wishy-washy answer. But the implication to those who were present is clear: if we give to God what belongs to God... well, that is everything!

In the first reading, despite the king Cyrus not being a Jew nor believing in the God of Israel, God says through the Prophet Isaiah: "I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me." Even though he doesn't know God, God is still using Cyrus to bring about good things for his people... he belongs to God. And in the second reading St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they "were chosen"... they belonged to God, even before they knew Him.

So, while in our time it may seem that chaos reigns and that fewer and fewer people speak the truth or follow God, our readings today remind us: God still reigns. All still belongs to Him. He makes all things work unto good for those who know and love Him. So, let us pray that we may continue to have trust in God, even when it is hard to see Him at work. And let us not forget: all things belong to Him, even our very selves.

Written by: Fr. Craig

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