The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friend,

Today's Gospel presents us with the cunning hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Their minds have already been made up _ they reject Christ. Now all that is left for them is to find a cause or reason to justify their preconceived decision.

The times have changed but the lying cunning hypocrisy of God's enemies is still with us as strong as ever. We meet people almost every day who have already made up their minds but now want to try and force the truth and facts to fit their faulty preconceived conclusion.

The Pharisees in today's Gospel believe they have found the ultimate trap for Christ. Many of the chosen people believed that they should be exempt from the tax of the Roman Caesar because they were dedicated to God. There was also a sect that came into power through Herod's appointment by Caesar and they were in favor of everyone paying the tribute (tax) to Caesar. Thus, the Pharisees believed that if they presented Christ with this question about the tribute to Caesar it would not matter which way He answered; He would be opposed by one side or the other.

But, this was not the extent of their diabolical planning. They went further and actually determined the best means of presenting this question. They sent their representatives with the instruction to present themselves as people sincere and honestly looking for an answer and they were to show respect to Christ in order to "get on His good side". So we see that they first flatter Christ: calling Him good Master, and one who does not answer questions based on respect for men but only upon respect for God. This ploy works all too well upon so many mere mortals as we are because of our pride and fallen nature, but it is useless against Christ who is God. Christ immediately saw through their deceit, He knows this is a trap but, He answers in such a way that will foil their trap and perhaps awaken them to the truth which they have already rejected.

Now for the answer to the "difficult" question. Whose image is on the coin in question? Caesar's. Then render to Caesar that which is Caesar's and render to God that which is God's.

By using the very coins and goods that the taxes of the Roman Empire provided the people subjected themselves to Caesar. They acknowledged themselves therefore as subjects to Caesar and subjects are liable to the taxes imposed upon them by the state. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. If you use and carry Caesar's coins, then give him back that which is his.

But, on the other hand we must likewise render to God the things that are God's. What belongs to God? We would answer everything belongs to God even Caesar. But, more specifically we acknowledge that our souls belong to God for we are created in the image and likeness of God. Our hearts minds and souls belong to God and we must give them back to Him. Our souls are not our own. The tribute that God demands of us is not so much the money issued by the state but the love and gratitude for the graces issued from His Church — the Kingdom of Heaven.

The tribute that God demands is that we love Him with a love that is preferential and complete _ with our whole being. This is what we must render to God.

This trap prepared by the Pharisees has been destroyed by the very one it was set to capture, and it has been recorded for our instruction. As we pointed out earlier the spirit of the Pharisees is still with us after all these years. Let us be wary of the hypocrites who seek to entrap us with their cleaver questions and arguments. Their logic appears incontrovertible but they use the logic of the world or the logic of Satan and not the logic of God and truth. Whenever their science, logic, or proofs contradict the truths revealed by God, Christ, and His Church we can be certain that it is faulty logic and/or false science.

Likewise, let us beware of the flattering and deceptive language that is often used to put us off our guard. Our biggest enemy when it comes to this attack is ourselves. Our own pride and vanity makes us easily susceptible to this attack because we want to believe the lies that are said about us. It is necessary that we first fight the enemies in our own self. We must constantly fight against our own self-love and pride. We must constantly seek and practice humility which is truth. We must seek first to truly know ourselves _ to see ourselves as God sees us. The truly wise man knows himself. That is why this approach failed in its attempt to entrap Christ. We can likewise foil these traps by imitating Christ. If we truly know ourselves then we cannot be deceived by others especially when it concerns our own worth or abilities.

Franciscan Benefactor Seraph Subscription Vocations Have you remembered God?