29th week Sunday --- October 19th –2008
Theme – Dual citizenship gives us a dual obligation to god and to country.
If you walk into the Manchester museum in England, you can ask to be directed to the Roman coin section. There you will find a shiny silver coin that dates back to the time of Jesus. The coin is technically called a denarius. As you turn the coin over in your hand you see closely at the coin’s face side, which bears the image of Tiberius Caesar. He was the king who ruled in Rome during Jesus’ public ministry. On the other side of the coin is the image of Livia, the mother of Tiberius Caesar. She is sitting and holding an olive branch of peace. Jesus asked the herodians and Pharisees to show him a coin to answer the question raised by them. In today’s gospel, Jesus was confronted with one question by two groups, herodians and Pharisees. Herodians were members of Herod’s party and strong supporters of roman right of tax the Jewish population. Pharisees on the other hand opposed the tax but gave it anyway to avoid political confrontation. The question was “Is it against our law to pay taxes to the Roman Empire?” Jesus hints at the answer, you hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? He saw th coin and said to them “Give it to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to god what is his.”It is talking about dual citizenship.
In the Gospel we see the confrontation of Jesus with his audience. The situation is that Jesus is close to Jerusalem and it is the place of the cross. He was the teacher, preacher, miracle worker and a person publicly admired. Today’s reading gives the first of the four challenges he faces and the way the Jews want to discredit Jesus. The first challenge comes from the Pharisees. They do not come directly but in a devious way send a delegation which is a mixture of their disciples and some Herodians those faithful to the Roman Rule. It was a strange mixture because Pharisees and Herodians were bitterly opposed to each other. The Pharisees were nationalists and totally anti-Roman, seeking the liberation. The Herodians were loyal to Rome but for their own gain. We can notice their flattery in the conversation, cleverly disguised referring to the honesty and integrity of Jesus. They speak of his sincerity and impartiality which was true. After these they put the question: “Is it against our Law to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” In fact, this seemingly simple innocent question turned on a burning issue. Palestine was a colony of Rome, kept in control and had little freedom. There was hatred towards the Romans for their cruelty, corruption and brutality. They in fact were averse to pay taxes. Taxes were like robbery for them. On the contrary, the other group was content with the Roman Rule. Certainly it was a tricky question, for if Jesus said taxes should not be paid, he would have pleased the Pharisees and they would have him arrested. The payment of tax meant support to Rome and Jesus would lose all credibility with his own people. Any reply could place Jesus into trouble.

In the First Reading from the Book of Isaiah, the Lord God addresses His anointed one. It is talking about our citizenship in the heaven or kingdom of God. We belong to God. The Lord speaks of His almighty power. History shows that by His infinite power, nations had been subdued and kings stripped of their robes. Doors had been opened for His anointed one and the gates shall not be closed. The Lord God says further that for the sake of those He loved, His servant Jacob and Israel His chosen, He calls us all by our names. To call one by name means to take possession of him. Though we do not know Him fully, he chooses to know us well. It is just awesome to think that God remembers each and every one of our names, knowing us personally. Then, the Lord God goes further to say that He is the Lord and there is no other God beside Him. We belong to Him and we are his possessions. He wants us and showers his blessings on us. How numerous are His Divine blessings for each and every one of us!
In the Second Reading we learn from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, more about the greatness of God who continues to be the guide of life and destiny of life. Paul expresses gratitude to God in prayer for all the blessings that the Thessalonians had received. He mentioned their work of faith, their labor of love and their steadfastness of hope in Jesus Christ. The labor of love is a reflection of active charity. As such, the prayer of thanksgiving to God embraces the virtues of faith, hope and charity that had been bestowed upon them. He tells the community that what really has transformed them is the “power” of the Holy Spirit.
We, Christians have a dual citizenship. We are citizens of this world and heaven. As such we have obligation towards each which we must respect and honor. Peter tells Christians in I Peter 2: 17 “have reverence for God and respect the emperor”.
And Paul tells Christians in Rome 13:1-7; “obey civil authorities, pay then what you owe them, your personal and property taxes and show respect towards them”.
We can illustrate all this with one case that of Thomas More, the English martyr. Robert bolt dramatized More’s conflict. Regarding what is Caesar’s and what is God’s in the book a man for all seasons.
King Henry VIII of England is validly married. He appeals to Rome to annul his marriage. But there is no honest basis for annulment. Henry takes matters into his own hand and remarries.
He then orders his friends and officials to sign a document declaring that they agree he acted rightly in the matter. Many of More’s friends sign but More refuses. Henry demands that he sign or face arrest, trial of treason and execution by the state. More refuses. He had two obligations, one to God and another to his country. When they conflicted More had no choice but faithful to his obligation to God.
We hope that the obligation will never clash. But if they ever do, we must resolve them as More did, without compromise to our God and to our conscience.