Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’

Matthew 22:15 - 21

Giving credit where credit’s due is a maxim worth remembering. Turning our words into positive comments can be a challenge when we see the good work being done by others. It may not have been done the way we would have done it, perhaps not even as well as we might do it, but credit must be given where it’s due.

Some people can live long lives and yet are still unable to fathom the gift that others have been to them. The people who walk with us in our lives are not stepping stones, they are companions. For better or worse our companions guide, support, nourish, encourage, cajole us. Their relationships with us are gifts. But acknowledging those gifts is often far from our minds. There are those moments when a genuine thank you is offered. But are they enough?

For those with elderly and unwell parents, we walk with them in that transitional period from independence to dependence, wellness to sickness, from life to death. It is a sacred journey we can and ought share As their lives comes to completion the many gifts that they placed before us over our whole lives come rushing past, not as a blur, but as a continuous stream of unconditional love, always appearing at the right moment, the right time.

The words of solace, of comfort, the words that push and growl, the words that soothe, that correct and praise, the gestures that heal and calm, the looks that assure and encourage. All of these gifts are not the sum of who we are as persons, but they certainly add to and build up and pull us together. As adults we need to be able to return these gifts generously and with equal lavishness, they must be acknowledged to the person who gave them. It is no easy task.

Our Gospel (Matthew 22:15 – 21) this week explored whether or not the Jews were required to pay taxes to Rome (Caesar). Jesus responded with those most famous of words,

“Let me see the money you pay the tax with?” They handed him a denarius, and he said, “Whose head is this? Whose name?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and God what belongs to God.”

Our children have a right and an obligation to thank those who contribute in their growth as a person. Credit must be given where it is due. We must give thanks to the God who created us, loves us – and this we pay with our whole selves, our whole being.

Peter

TCEO staff at Risdon Cove for Spirituality Day

On reading

Peter's whereabouts for the next 2 weeks

Meetings coming up

Please forward any agenda items for meetings (with some indication of time required and context) to Carole at carole.goodwin@catholic.tas.edu.au or Tracie at tracie.clyne@catholic.tas.edu.au

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