YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CHURCH AND TO GOD.

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mk. 12:13-17) Tuesday of the Eight Week in Ordinary Time

In the day’s Gospel Jesus was being confronted with paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus would not be tempted to go against policies of government which are not immoral. Taxation is a good system to include citizens in running the government. By their contribution, government will be of service to them. On the other hand, citizens also owe God their faithfulness. In this sense, Jesus encouraged His disciples to fulfill both responsibilities.

Again, this passage had been used by politicians and Church critics to cite separation of Church and State. We should be reminded that during the time of the Lord, the idea of the separation of Church and State was not yet an issue. Jesus’ statement was meant to clarify to the Jews their different responsibilities to the Romans and to God. While the question was asked in order to trap Jesus, He took it as an opportunity to teach everyone about responsibilities to Church and to God.

The response of Jesus was classic. After showing them the image of the Caesar in the coin, which means that it belongs to Caesar, He told them “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” God has not given us a coin. But He gave us His image. Every Jew knew that. God’s image is in each and everyone of us. Thus, all of us, including the Caesar, belongs to God. With God, we not only give a part of ourselves but our whole self.

There is no part in our person which God has no concern. His image is in every part of our bodies and soul. It is really impossible to separate our being Filipino from our being Catholic. Our life is our faith. Our faith is our life.