The gospels show many confrontations with Jesus and the authorities. In the debates Jesus’ enemies are trying to discredit him completely. For the Jew, authority is based in the temple. Fr. David Garcia writes that the question for the early Christians and for us today is how do we live according to the gospel, to Jesus’ teaching which essentially is to live by the heart rather than the letter of the law. The Herodians, mentioned in today’s gospel from Mark, are supporters of King Herod who had been imposed by Rome. The Pharisees are not happy with Herod, but if they can use his supporters to get Jesus they will. We might call this the politics of convenience not conviction. It has existed for centuries. The trick question is about paying taxes to Caesar. If Jesus supports the tax, he is unpopular with the people and against the Pharisees. If he opposes it, he is a revolutionary, against Caesar and the Herodians. Someone will not be happy with the answer. Either way, Jesus will suffer. That was the point. They did not care about the answer. They just wanted to trap Jesus, who knows their malicious intentions. This is more than just a trick question. Jesus is being tempted by the evil one to get involved in political power struggles. The early Church, at times, supported the state, and at times resisted the state. Early Christians resisted bowing to gods or seeing Caesar as god. In some cases, it cost them their lives. Jesus begins to answer the Pharisees and Herodians. He asks them for a coin. The coin bears Caesar’s image which Jesus uses to catch them by saying to pay to Caeser that which is Caesars and to God that which is God’s. The challenge to the Pharisees is to return to God what they have not given. The response to God must be total. Our primary citizenship is with the Kingdom of God. Are we as careful of paying God what he is due as we are paying our taxes? Do we believe that a terrorist is created in God’s image, a refugee fleeing violence or poverty and trying to seek a better life or the homeless under a bridge? It is so easy to think of someone who is not like us as not as good as we are. However, our teaching says they and all other humans are also the face of God. Do you see yourself with all your baggage as the image of God? How can you give to God what belongs to God? Every morning, take a look in the mirror. What you see is the image of God. You know it is not perfect, so it can help you to see others in the image of God as well. God is love. Return to God today what is God’s in all that you see and do.