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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Repay… to God what belongs to God

Repay… to God what belongs to God

Published Jun 3, 2024 10:34 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

While recognizing the legitimacy of civil authority, Jesus sets it in its proper place, that is, covering only a part of life, and insists on the basic and ultimate supremacy of God who governs the whole life. One’s duties toward God and civil authority, although distinct, are not completely separate but are united and governed by the principle of accomplishing in all things the will of God.

Instead of being overly concerned about the legitimacy of taxation due to civil authority, or the question of separation of Church and State, people should rather be concerned with repaying God what is his due: total human allegiance expressed in works of justice, defense of human dignity, honesty in public service, and allegiance to truth. 

This is possible in being engaged in “the things of Caesar” or politics. Pope Francis speaks of politics as the “field of charity as its most vast,” and appeals for a renewed appreciation of politics as “a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good” (Fratelli Tutti, 180).

 

Gospel • Mark 12:13-17 

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” 

Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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