Back in 1726 Daniel DeFoe published The Political History of the Devil. In this book he made a statement that is still heard today, "Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed." Benjamin Franklin made some adjustments to the phrase in 1789 saying, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." I have used this expression myself. Death is inevitable for all of us. Taxes can be a nuisance. For some of us, taxes are the bane of our existence. However, in most societies they are a necessity if we want to maintain a functional, civil society.
In today’s gospel, Matthew 22:15-21, the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus by asking “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" We all know how Jesus responded, “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." We pay our various governments federal income taxes, state income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes and social security taxes. We pay taxes for our license tags, special taxes on gasoline for our cars and estate taxes when we die. We pay a lot of taxes.
We know what we are supposed to repay to our governments, but what belongs to God? As Christians we believe that everything belongs to God because everything comes from God. How can we possibly repay God for everything? There are many ways we can show our gratitude to God for all that we are given. We can tithe, sharing the treasure God gives us. We can give our talents sharing the unique gifts God gives us. And, we can give our time by reading scripture, praying, attending mass and participating in parish activities.
One of the clearest statements about what God expects of us is found in Micah 6:6-8. “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high? Shall I come before him with holocausts, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriad streams of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my crime, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God."
God our Father,
Open our eyes to see your hand at work
In the splendor of creation,
In the beauty of human life.
Touched by your hand our world is holy.
Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us,
To share your blessings with our brothers and sisters,
And to experience the joy of life in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
