Whenever convenient, politicians and opinion makers, would cite the Gospel scene between Jesus and His enemies where He was asked if it is right to pay taxes to Caesar. The context of the question was to trap Jesus with His answer so they could arrest Him. If He answered that they should pay taxes, He will be accused of siding with the Romans who were then ruling the Jews and were exacting severe taxes to them. If He answered no, then He will be under fire from the Roman government for disobeying their law. The present idea of "separation of Church and State" was not in the mind of Jesus when He answered, "Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what is to God." It is interesting to note that Jesus, the Herodians, and the Pharisees were not concerned and conscious about "separation of Church and State". They were just after entrapping Jesus. But Jesus always take advantage of the situation by raising the issue to the next level. The Romans believed that their Caesar is divine. The response of Jesus differentiated the Roman Caesar to God. Repaying means something was owed. The Jews must render taxes because the Romans provide them with services expected of a government. The allegiance of the Jews to the Romans were limited. In the measure that the Roman government rightly serve the Jews, the Jews repay them. But if the Romans would be bad rulers, the Jews have a right to disobey or not pay any taxes. Jesus was a good citizen. He paid His taxes. He was not a source of problem to the Romans. Even Pilate saw nothing against Jesus. In the life of the early Christians, Peter even admonished the people to respect their leaders because God willed their leadership. Being a good citizen is part of the teaching of Jesus. To be a good Christian is to be a good citizen too.
But it does not end there. There are qualifications and nuances. Not everything can be done for Caesar. Caesar or any earthly leadership is limited. The Caesar is not absolute. They can not be in equal footing with God. No matter how powerful they are, they are still below and under God. As leaders, people owe them their allegiance. But if they are abusive and are asking their constituents to do things against what their God asks them to do, they have a right not to obey. Rendering what is to God takes priority over rendering what is to Caesar. In pointing out the difference, Jesus asked the people to give Him a coin. Because the image and inscription of Caesar was there in the coin, then the coin must be rendered to Caesar. God has no coin but He has something that has His image. Genesis tells us that we were created in the image and likeness of God. Also, all of creation was made by God and therefore possess God's image. Therefore, God owns everything and everything must pay allegiance to Him. Even Caesar belongs to God and therefore is under and dependent to God.
So, even if it was not intended by Jesus, His answer tells us that God has something to do with all His creation. Therefore, if there is any one who should invoke the response of Jesus, it should be the Church and the faithful and not those leaders who question the role of the Church in the affairs of government. The moral standard of the Church is needed by the State. Without the Church, the State can not sustain itself. Much more, it can not exist in a democracy.
In as much as the Church and State serve almost the same constituents, especially here in the Philippines, it would be for the benefit of the citizenry and the faithful if both institutions will cooperate. The resources of government and the moral ascendancy of the Church are perfect ingredients for a prosperous and morally dignified people. The un-cooperation between the two will only result to the disadvantage and difficulties of those under their care. Leaders must recognize the role the Church plays in a country. Church leaders, on the other hand, must assert their responsibility of constantly reminding government leaders to fulfill their responsibilities according to their faith and laws. if all of these happen, then, that country is really "For God and Country!"
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