“Give back to Caesar …”

A few days ago, I met a local government politician who commented that relevancy is the mark of sound religious thinking and practice. I complimented him for his wise insight. His comment came to mind as I read today’s gospel reading from Mark 12:13-17 about the Pharisees and Herodians who were sent by the chief priests and elders to catch Jesus out in what he said. They decided to use the issue of taxation. This was a relevant subject not only in Jesus’ time but also in our own. So, the question they put to Jesus was, “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Even today many question the extent of taxation and the way it is spent. In response Jesus asks for a coin. Pointing to the coin, he went on to ask, “Whose head is this?” “Caesar’s” was the reply. Jesus then said, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.” This is a clever reply especially when Jesus was facing possible arrest by the Roman authorities if he said “no” and condemnation from his own people if he said “yes”. Those sent to test Jesus didn’t know what to say. After all, who could object to giving the emperor a penny and everything else to God! Let us never be afraid to address difficult political issues, like taxation. Being relevant means that we can also hold governments accountable according to the values of our own religious beliefs, especially when those beliefs are soundly based on the rights of all by law and the equality of all before God.
 
Tom Rouse
 
Photo: Canva

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