“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” These words from last week’s Gospel (Matthew 22:15–21) present an important question: What is the proper relationship between faith and politics?
In the Gospel, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus by asking whether it is lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar. If Jesus says yes, He risks alienating the Jewish people suffering under Roman occupation. If He says no, He risks being accused of encouraging rebellion.
But Jesus sees through their trap and responds with divine wisdom: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
At first, these words might suggest a simple division: politics belongs to the government, while religion belongs to God. However, Jesus is not teaching that God’s authority ends where public life begins.
God is the Creator and source of everything that exists. He continually sustains all things in being. Therefore, everything ultimately belongs to Him.
Consider the things we pursue in daily life. The purpose of law, at its best, is to serve justice. A doctor or nurse seeks to heal and alleviate suffering. An artist pursues beauty. Justice, love, mercy, truth, and beauty all find their ultimate source in God. He is the foundation of everything truly good.
This applies to politics. Questions of justice, human dignity, and the common good are not merely political questions. They are moral questions.
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that human law should reflect a deeper moral truth rooted in God’s eternal law. Simply because something is legal does not automatically make it morally right. The purpose of law should be to serve justice and promote the common good, not merely maintain order or exercise power.
When laws violate human dignity or contradict what is truly good, we have a responsibility as Catholics to speak up. We cannot dismiss these concerns by saying religion has no place in politics.
However, we must be careful not to go too far in the opposite direction.
Jesus tells us to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Earthly institutions have legitimate responsibilities and a proper degree of independence. God has given us free will, allowing individuals to exercise their own judgment and expertise.
For example, a priest would not presume to tell a football coach which plays to run or a doctor how to make every medical decision. Those individuals have their own knowledge and responsibilities, which deserve respect.
Similarly, recognizing that everything belongs to God does not mean the Church should control every aspect of government or public life. Rather, our faith should guide how we approach these responsibilities, especially when moral questions arise.
There must be a proper distinction between Church and state, but not an absolute separation between faith and public life. Government possesses legitimate authority, yet that authority must always be measured against what is good, just, and moral.
This brings us back to the coin in last week’s Gospel. Jesus asks whose image appears on it. The answer is Caesar’s. But whose image does Caesar himself bear?
Like every human person, Caesar is made in the image and likeness of God.
And so we must ask: What belongs to Caesar that does not ultimately belong to God?
Our work, our families, our laws, our governments, and our very lives all come from God and find their ultimate purpose in Him.
We are called to live responsibly in this world, respect legitimate authority, and fulfill our earthly duties. But we must remember that earthly authority is not the highest authority.
Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but remember that, in the end, everything belongs to God.
Father James Schibi, Pastor