In the Gospel of today Jesus reaffirms the duty of all of us to obey civil authority. The Pharisees and the Herodians had attempted to lay a trap with their question: "Was it licit to pay tribute to Caesar?" There were those among the Jews who asserted that such payment simply reinforced the tyranny of foreign domination over the people. Now, if Jesus were to agree to this payment, the Pharisees would be able to accuse Him of collaborating with the Romans. He would thus be discredited before the good people. But if He were to oppose the tax, the Herodians, in league with the occupying civil power, would then denounce Him to the Romans.

But Jesus gives his enemies a profound response: "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." We, Christians are obliged to render to the State whatever material and personal services are required for the common good. But for their part, civil authority is obligated to act with equity and justice in the distribution of their goods and services. They have to serve the common good without looking for any personal gain. They have to legislate and govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of the people.

We Christians are obliged to pray for those who exercise civil authority.