Scripture Reflection, October 19: Jesus and Joe the Plumber

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6
Psalm 96
1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5b
Matthew 22: 15-21

“Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” This question sounds like something from the presidential debates on TV. How would Barack Obama and John McCain have answered a similar question? Maybe they would have asked “Joe the plumber”…

Jesus finds himself in a very tricky situation. The Pharisees and some of Herod’s men meant to trap Jesus with the question whether or not they are obligated to pay taxes to the occupying Roman powers. If Jesus said “Yes”, his answer would prove that he was on the side of the Romans and they would regard him as a coward and a friend of Caesar. If he said ‘No’, it would prove that Jesus was in opposition to Rome and they could finally report him to the Romans as political trouble maker and arrest him. But Jesus is not as stupid as they think he was. He reads their intentions and replies in a very diplomatic way. The coin in the ancient world was also a sign for political power. A coin was stamped with the image and inscription of the ruler and was regarded as his personal property. So if it is the Emperor’s, Jesus says, then give to the Emperor what is his. In saying that, Jesus recognizes civil authority and social structures. But Jesus answer goes way beyond the dimension of civil authority and institutions, as he continues: “…and to God what belongs to God”.

We too have been stamped with God’s image since we are created “in his image and likeness” (Gn 1:26). Just as the image of the Emperor is on the Roman coin, so has the image of God been imprinted on the heart of every person. The gospel is not about paying taxes; neither does it give any practical advice about which of the political parties to join or to vote for. It is about repaying to God what we have received from God. We do not belong to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed us through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus. Our life and everything we possess belongs to God and not to ourselves.

This certainly has a very profound meaning for our social life and the relationship with the world around us. The question is: What do we owe God and our neighbor? The Scripture tells us to give to everyone whatever is their due and to "owe no one anything, except to love one another" (Romans 13:6-8).The gospel encourages us to renew our respect, our sense of responsibility for and our commitment to civic affairs, by honoring the law, protecting life, maintaining the safety and order of society’s structure. By fulfilling our responsibilities with competence and love we can truly serve Jesus in our brothers and sisters and help the government and society to respond to God’s plan for humanity and to be at the service of each human person. The state must be what it is and Jesus recognizes it, but it cannot put itself in the place of God. Christians must fulfill their duties as faithful citizens, especially in an election year. But Christians are called to obey God rather than human beings and believe that true power can only be given to a human being by God.

The first reading makes it very clear. Isaiah writes about a historical hero: Cyrus, as a Persian king, was given the title of “The anointed of Yahweh” as he freed forty thousand Israelites from their captivity in Babylon in 539 B.C. Cyrus was called by God to be his servant and to free His people. It wasn’t through his own power that he succeeded against the Babylonians, but because God made him His instrument. The Israelites were convinced that Cyrus was given power by God, so that Israel and all nations would know His power and kindness, even though he didn’t believe in the God of Jacob. “I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not.” Cyrus was given power to show the world that Yahweh alone is the LORD and “no other”.

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” In the final analysis – doesn’t everything belong to God then? This God, who made heaven and earth, guides his people out of Babylon and pours out his love by sending His son Jesus to be our savior – even when we were sinners and didn’t know Him… Don’t we owe all our love to the One who has always loved us first?
Many times we think our relationship with God is reserved to Sunday mass and prayer time. More and more I realize instead, that God can be with me in every moment of my day and give meaning to everything I do. Returning God’s love means for me to do His will in the little things throughout the day: working, cleaning, studying, meeting people, writing Emails, exercising, eating, relaxing, reading a good book or watching a nice movie. Not because “I have to”, but because my love for God inspires me to do so. It’s true – many times I forget Him and I just live my day without remembering God very often. But when I do, every little thing I do gains new meaning and fills my heart with joy. When I go to the Eucharist then, I can bring my day, my life, my thoughts, my struggles, my successes and failures – my whole life with the gifts to the altar and truly give to God what belongs to God and receive from Him everything He has, in his body and blood.

Birgit Oberhofer