Are We Caeser’s or are We God’s?

The Pharisee’s were sent to trap Jesus. They were watching Jesus’ every word looking for something to hold against him. It must have been exhausting and frustrating to always be watched and questioned. Today’s question, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay, or should we not pay?”

The Gospel says Jesus knew their hypocrisy. He asked them to bring him a coin, and then He gives them back their question. Whose image is on the coin? Of course, they gave the apparent answer, “Caesar’s.” With that established, Jesus answers their original question, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Today as I was reflecting on the reading, I was drawn to the coin, the denarius. I wonder if it was a new coin, shiny ad bright or had it changed hands many times and was worn and grimy. Immediately, the Pharisees knew when they looked at the coin that it was Caesar’s image. It must have been quite clear.

I wonder when the face of the “coin” that my life is looked at by others, is it easy to tell who it belongs to?

Perhaps, our lives are all like that coin, and the question is to whom do we belong? If someone were to pick up the denarius that represents my life today, would they immediately know whose face is on the coin? Would they know to whom I belong?

There are lots of things in life we can belong to. Some of those might be our wealth, health, security, self-image, reputation, power, the “things” we own, the people in our lives, our attitudes, and prejudices. No doubt that list could go on and on. For each of us, it might be different because we each have our own soft spots and our own temptations.

The other question this reading brought me to was, “What condition will the coin I present be in at the end of my life.” Will it be shiny and new or dull and worn? At first, I thought I would want to be a shiny coin filled with the luster. Then I realized that just because it is shiny doesn’t mean it will reflect God’s face. It could indicate any of the vices or attitudes that have controlled my life. It will reflect anything that I have allowed to be first in my heart and my life.

Jesus recognizes hypocrisy, he will see the image that reflects the life I have led, even if the coin could fool others.

Today there were far more questions than answers in my reflection. One of the things I know for sure is that the face of the coin that is my life will be battered and worn. The coin will be nicked on the edges and not very attractive to the eye. Each time I fought my way back to making God the most important thing in my life, the coin of my life took a beating. But it is the coin I have. It is the coin I present to the world.

I am encouraged because I know, without question or doubt, that God will not look at the coin of my life with His eye but with his heart. He will not see dull, dented, and worn out. I hope when God looks at the coin of my life, He sees me a reflection of Himself. I hope God finds the worn coin of my life beautiful, beautiful enough to reside in His heart.

Every day we create the face of the coin of our life. Every day the image becomes more evident. We must look often and carefully at it, and figure out whose image is being created. And then we do as Jesus commanded, “Give to God what is God’s.”

In God’s Unending Love,

Gwen