Fr. Nnamdi Moneme: The Only Way We Can Truly Give Back to God

The disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians in St. Matthew’s Gospel remind us of how dishonesty can easily enter into our hearts and control our actions and attitudes towards God and others. The Evangelist tells us that they were sent to Jesus after they had “plotted how they might entrap Him in speech.” They clearly were on a deceptive mission. Before asking Jesus if it was right to pay the census tax to Caesar or not, they began by treacherously flattering Him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man…and you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.” Their praise did not come from sincere hearts at all.

Jesus, seeing through their malice and deception, did not give them a “Yes” or “No” answer in response to their question about paying taxes to Caesar. But He brings in the more important question i.e. the question about first giving God His due, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” His answer is to teach them that their dishonesty in relating with Him was rooted in their dishonesty in their relationship with God.  …

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