Paying God 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mt 22:15-21 The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions. 16 Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod’s party. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God’s will for people, without worrying about what others think, because you pay no attention to anyone’s status. 17 Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?” 18 Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plan, and so he said, “You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin for paying the tax!” They brought him the coin, 20 and he asked them, “Whose face and name are these?” 21 “The emperor’s,” they answered. So Jesus said to them, “Well, then, pay the Emperor what belongs to the emperor, and pay God what belongs to God.” Other readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 LECTIO The Pharisees have already been criticised by Jesus in the parables of the tenants and the wedding feast. Today’s reading marks the first of four disputes between Jesus and the religious leaders. The Pharisees have thought long and hard about how they might trap Jesus and they are confident that they have come up with the perfect question: “Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman emperor or not?’’ This was one of the hottest issues of the day. The Romans had invaded and occupied their country and now taxed the Jews for the privilege. Paying taxes to the Romans was a symbol of defeat, subjugation and a source of bitter resentment. The very coin they had to use in paying the tax was another insult. The Jews were not allowed to put images of people on their coins but Caesar had his image stamped on his. It also carried the inscription “Son of the divine Augustus”. This would have been an affront to any devout Jew as only God was divine. It appears to be a no-win situation for Jesus. Surely someone heralding God’s new kingdom can’t possibly endorse such an unjust tax. If he is their Messiah, delivering Israel from its oppressors must be top of his list. Jesus will be finished if he supports the tax and all his followers will desert him as a traitor, with their hopes dashed. If, on the other hand, he opposes the tax, he will be openly inciting people to defy the Romans and will soon end up like every other revolutionary – hanging on a cross. Jesus fully recognises the trap. He asks them whose face and name are on the coin although he is fully aware of the answer. Then comes the masterful reply which doesn’t give them enough to report him to the Romans but won’t cause his followers to desert him either: “Pay to the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and pay God what belongs to God.” We have to interpret this passage in the light of the whole story. Jesus’s answer isn’t intended as a comprehensive statement of the relationship between God and political authority. Jesus is not afraid of confrontation. He is fully cognisant that he is walking towards his death but it will be on his terms. He knows that ultimately the kingdom of God will defeat the emperor’s kingdom but it will do so on a far more fundamental level by defeating an even greater empire: death itself. MEDITATIO What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Consider the irony and insincerity of the Pharisees words, “we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God’s will for people” (verse 16). Do you worry about what others think of you? Do you treat people differently according to their social status? ORATIO Read through Psalm 96 several times and let its words inspire you. Bring your offering of worship and praise to God. CONTEMPLATIO Reflect on Jesus’s instruction, “pay God what belongs to God”. What does belong to God? Consider whether you are giving all you should to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Lectio Divina is an ancient tradition of reading and engaging with God’s Word