Year A : 16 October 2011

Today’s gospel reading reports on a discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees and the Herodians. Unlike the scribes, who were a profession, the Pharisees were a religious movement (like Opus Dei or the Focolari). They stressed the need to keep all the rules and commandments like the need for ritual purity before eating, paying tithes (religious tax), keeping Sabbath, observing marriage laws. Meals in common, prayer, influencing and converting others, respect for tradition as well as the Law were of great importance to them. The Herodians were supporters of the dynasty of Herod the Great, at this time led by Herod Antipas who ruled Galilee. Since the Herods held power because of the support of the Roman emperor, the Herodians would have supported paying the taxes Rome demanded. The Pharisees were not openly hostile to Rome, but no doubt there were nationalists among their members who were less than enthusiastic.

The tax at issue was a poll tax to be paid in Roman currency‘on the head of’ every man, woman and slave between the ages of twelve or fourteen and sixty-five. At the time of Jesus the tax amounted to one denarius, which was the equivalent of a full day’s wage for a labourer. The denarius most in circulation then bore the image of Roman emperor Tiberius, inscribed (in Latin): “Tiberius Caesar, august son of the divine Augustus, high priest.” Those who put the question to Jesus had no difficulty producing the coin requested. This particular group of Pharisees are ‘hypocrites’ because the coin shows they have already made their decision about the taxin actual fact, and because they wish to set a trap, and not to seek guidance or help.

If Jesus opposes paying the tax, the Herodians will ensure the Roman officials get to hear it. If he accepts that the tax be paid, the Pharisees will make sure nationalists learn that he is no Messiah but a collaborator. Either way he is in trouble.Jesus does not answer the question as to whether to accept or resist Roman rule. The argument turns on whose head is on the coin. Since it is Caesar’s head, then it is Caesar’s coinage to begin with, and Jesus deftly turns it into a challenge to seek what God seeks. Caesar is in fact the power in the land, but the essential lies elsewhere. As in the case of Cyrus in the first reading, all power is in the hands of God. Caesar’s coin claims he is a god, but that is the way to idolatry. Earthly power passes but the Kingdom of God remains and grows through the good news put into action.

• “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 position means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then.” How do I react to compliments paid to me by another? Do I think he/ she is looking for something from me? If I reject the compliment, am I saying that this other person is telling me lies?

• On the other hand, how do I feel about paying a compliment to another? On a job well done? To a young person who has managed to do something, maybe after a bit of a struggle? Do I take other people and their efforts for granted?

• How comfortable am I when speaking in an honest and truthful way at home? To my neighbours? To those who are considered to have a position in society?

• A coin is rarely in itself worth the amount that is stamped on its front or back as its value. It is valuable only because it shows the authority by which it was issued and which guarantees that it is an acceptable means of exchange. It is a symbol and a promise, even if we know that no one will go to the government and demand 50 pence worth of silver or a pound’s worth of gold—even if we could see what we would receive. It is all a bit like ourselves really, perhaps not worth much in ourselves but stamped with a guarantee at Baptism and in our lives the promise and evidence of what is on offer.

• “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. Am I better at taking from government what I can get than at giving what I should?

• Originally the word ‘hypocrite’ meant ‘an actor in the theatre’, ‘one who plays a part’, and from there it came to mean ‘a pretender’, ‘one who falsely professes to be virtuous’. Should I ask God to show me where in my life that might apply to me?

• We can choose between God and Caesar. The reading also asks us to think about our freedom of choice and how we use it.