Message from Fr. Henry Jair Cardenas Afanador

St. Gregory the Great Catholic Parish

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with a question about earthly duty: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”

Jesus asks for a Roman coin and poses a simple question: "Whose image and inscription is this?" When they answer, "Caesar's," Jesus reveals a profound truth: "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" (Matthew 22:21).

A Roman coin bore the image of Caesar, indicating that it belonged to his temporal realm. But what bears the image of God?

We do. From the very beginning, God declared that human beings are made in His own image and likeness. The divine imprint is stamped deep within every human soul. Therefore, while money and taxes may belong to earthly authorities, our total existence our hearts, minds, souls, and lives belong exclusively to God.

To give God what belongs to God means holding nothing back from Him. It means surrendering our hearts by placing our deepest trust, affections, and worship in Him above any temporary worldly success. It means offering Him our time and talents through daily prayer, faithful attendance at Mass, and joyful service to our neighbors. It also calls us to let His unchanging truth guide our decisions, daily routines instead of yielding to the pressures of today’s culture.

When we surrender what is rightfully His, we do not lose anything; rather, we discover our true purpose and lasting peace. This week, let us take time to remember whose image we bear, reflecting honestly on whether we are offering God our whole life or merely the leftover pieces.

Fr. Henry Jair Cardenas Afanador
Parochial Vicar