Homily For The 29th Sunday In The Ordinary Time, Year A, October 18, 2026

“A Christian is called to commit concretely to human and social realities without opposing “God” and “Caesar”; to oppose God and Caesar would be a fundamentalist attitude. A Christian is called to commit concretely to earthly realities, but illuminating them with the Light that comes from God.” -Pope Francis

Give to Caesar What Is Caesar’s and to God What Belongs to God: Faith, Citizenship, and Christian Responsibility

My Dearest Friends in Christ

Welcome once again to this privileged moment of spiritual encounter with God in this sacred space. The life-changing Word of God teaches us to become good citizens of both our earthly and heavenly homes. Today’s readings remind us that our allegiance and obligation to God are non-negotiable, even as we are called to be responsible citizens of the State.

God Truly Exists, and He Is Alive

Preaching on the first reading may seem to some like an overemphasis on the obvious. Yet, repeating the words of the Lord, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides me,” reinforces the first commandment and reminds us of the central place God must occupy in our lives.

I do not consider this reminder unnecessary for three reasons. First, many people are still undergoing a process of conversion. Second, some find it difficult to believe in God, forgetting His words: “It is I who arm you, though you know me not.” Finally, there are Christians who profess their faith but remain uncertain about it. We must constantly be reminded of the Source of our life, the One who sustains us and calls us to surrender our lives to Him, lest the challenges of modern life cloud our minds and lead us away from faith. The allegiance we owe to God becomes even clearer in today’s Gospel.

When Political Rivals Unite Against Jesus

Today’s Gospel begins with a plot involving two groups with different political and religious interests: the Pharisees and the Herodians. Although they differed in their outlook and priorities, they united in an attempt to trap Jesus. The Herodians were associated with support for the Herodian dynasty, while the Pharisees were known for their commitment to Jewish religious law and were often critical of Roman influence.

They approached Jesus with flattery, calling Him a truthful teacher who taught the way of God. They hoped their words would make Him less cautious and entangle Him in His own response. Instead of approaching Christ, the Source of divine wisdom, with sincere hearts ready to learn, they were preoccupied with finding a way to discredit Him. This resembles those who come to church while secretly plotting evil against their neighbors.

Confident in their strategy, they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Their question was a trap. If Jesus said that taxes should be paid, He risked alienating people who resented Roman rule. If He said they should not be paid, He could be accused of opposing Roman authority. Yet Jesus, in His divine wisdom, exposed their hypocrisy and defeated their plan.

Give to Caesar What Is Caesar’s and to God What Belongs to God

Pay close attention to how divine wisdom unfolds in this encounter. Jesus rebukes the questioners for their hypocrisy and exposes their intentions. He then asks them to show Him the coin used to pay the census tax and to identify the image and inscription on it.

When they answer that the coin bears Caesar’s image, Jesus declares: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

His response teaches us that we have civic responsibilities, but our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. The coin bears Caesar’s image, but every human person bears the image of God. We may therefore fulfill our legitimate civic obligations, but we must never surrender our conscience or our obedience to God to any earthly authority.

As Christians, we are called to obey civil authorities in matters that are just and morally legitimate. However, when laws or commands contradict God’s law and the moral order, we must follow a properly formed conscience and resist injustice in a prudent and responsible manner. This is where religious liberty and freedom of conscience become especially important.

Do Not Use God’s Word to Justify Immorality

Unfortunately, Jesus’ instruction to give Caesar what belongs to him and God what belongs to Him is sometimes misinterpreted to justify an immoral lifestyle. Some people behave as though they can serve sin during the week and serve God on Sunday, separating their religious commitments from their daily conduct.

This is a serious misunderstanding. We cannot claim to belong to God while deliberately embracing evil, exploiting our neighbors, or living in ways that contradict the Gospel. Our faith must shape every aspect of our lives—our relationships, business dealings, political choices, and treatment of others. We cannot give God His due on Sunday while denying Him through our actions throughout the week.

Our Responsibility to God Comes Before the State

Jesus’ words mean that citizens should fulfill their legitimate responsibilities to the State without neglecting their religious obligations to God. A responsible Christian should also be a responsible citizen. Paying taxes honestly helps the government provide services and support for the common good, just as supporting the Church helps sustain her worship and missionary work.

Neglecting these responsibilities damages our relationship with both God and our community. Nevertheless, when the demands of the State conflict with God’s law, God must come first. This is why Christians can be described as citizens of two worlds: the earthly or temporal world and the spiritual or heavenly kingdom. We should contribute to the well-being of society while keeping our final hope fixed on God.

Let Faith and Love Unite Us Beyond Political Differences

Like the Pharisees and Herodians, many people today are divided along political lines, whether they identify as Republicans, Democrats, or supporters of other political movements. We may hold different political opinions, but our common faith and love in Christ should unite us as people made in the image of God.

We can respectfully disagree without hatred, contempt, or division. The Church does not belong to any political party. While Catholics should exercise their civic rights and responsibilities, including voting and paying taxes, our consciences—formed by the Gospel and the teachings of the Church—must guide our decisions rather than party loyalty or political sentiment.

Our political choices should reflect our commitment to human dignity, justice, peace, truth, and the common good.

Support the Material Needs and Mission of the Church

We must not forget our responsibility to provide for the material needs of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the faithful’s responsibility to support the Church’s needs (CCC 2043), while the Church’s Code of Canon Law recognizes her right to obtain what is necessary for her proper purposes (1983 CIC, Canon 1260; see also Canons 222 and 1261–1262).

Although the Church has this right, the faithful are encouraged to contribute generously and freely to support her worship, charitable activities, and missionary work. Let us be generous in our donations and offerings, and let us also pray for the Church.

Every gift we possess ultimately comes from God. When we freely offer part of what He has entrusted to us for the Church’s mission, we are giving back to God from His own gifts. Scripture reminds us:

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6–7)

Let our giving be an expression of gratitude, love, and faith rather than an act motivated by pressure or a desire for personal recognition.

Surrender Your Life to God, in Whose Image You Were Created

In conclusion, we all belong to God because we are created in His image. Caesar, earthly authorities, material possessions, and every human life remain under God’s ultimate sovereignty. To give God what belongs to Him is to surrender our lives totally and unreservedly to Him, acknowledging that He is our God and there is no other.

When we worship other gods, pursue wealth at the expense of righteousness, or obey earthly authorities against God’s law, we deny the One to whom our lives belong. Let us therefore fulfill our civic responsibilities conscientiously without allowing political power or material concerns to take God’s place in our hearts.

May the Virgin Mary help us live in conformity with the image of God we bear, serving our neighbors, fulfilling our responsibilities as citizens, and contributing to the building of a more just and peaceful earthly society. May we always give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and, above all, give to God what belongs to God. Amen

May the Virgin Mary help us to live always in conformity with the image of God that we bear within us, while also making our contribution to the building of the earthly city. Amen.