XXIX Sunday of the Year

DIFFERING LOYALTIES

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21

Readings for the XXIX Sunday of the Year

Two puppeteers were arguing over who should control the strings of the puppet on the stage. As they argue, one tries to wrest the strings from the other. The puppet is pulled this way and that as each puppeteer pulls the string to an arm or leg, hand, or foot.

Our varied commitments can do the same to us. Family, school/ workplace, church, government: to a varying extent, these determine the way we spend our time, energy, and resources. We feel pulled in different directions and helplessly out of control.

Who or what should take priority? The gospel encounter of Jesus with the Pharisees and the Herodians responds to this question.

The Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus a carefully-formulated and loaded question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?”

The Jews resented paying this tax because it was a painful reminder that they lived under foreign rule. Plus, God was their only king; paying tax to an earthly king admitted his kingship. If Jesus said it was unlawful to pay taxes, he would be guilty of sedition; if he said it was lawful, he would stand discredited in the eyes of the Jews. 

Jesus’ response is equally loaded: “Repay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” First, there is no dichotomy between God and the many Caesars in our lives; each has its rightful place. But: God first, everything else next. Second, “repay” what belongs to God. What belongs to God? In one word: everything! 

Jesus then asks for a coin and asks: “Whose image is this?” The emperor’s image, stamped on the coin, showed that the coin belonged to him. We, stamped with the image of God, belong to him!

Jesus challenges us repay to God what is his – ourselves.

How am I going to give myself to God in the week ahead? No deductions, no exemptions!

May I allow God to tug at the strings of my heart and mind. Then, my differing loyalties will not leave me out of control; I will discover balance and equanimity.