The moral dilemma that the Pharisees and Herodians present concerns the payment of the census tax to Caesar, however, the deeper question at play here is really: is there an objective truth that holds authority and guides us in our decision making, or is there only the subjective opinion of those who claim authority because of their status? In his answer, Jesus leads his adversaries on a journey of discovery of a deeper truth about human persons. “Knowing their malice,” Jesus asks for the coin that is used to pay the tax, an object, to reveal the truth about “the way of God.” The answer to this moral dilemma lies in an objective reality and not in some subjective opinion. The coin was made by Caesar and it is his image that is imprinted on it. Therefore, objectively, Caesar can determine its value, its meaning and purpose, its use and ultimately its final end. “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”
The journey of truth doesn’t end there, it has only just begun. Now the real revelation and teaching begins. Jesus continues with the heart of the matter: “…and to God what belongs to God.” Just as there is an objective truth that exists between the coin and Caesar, so is there an objective truth that exists between God and human persons. The human person is created in the image and likeness of God: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.” (Gen 1,27) The Psalmist sings of this great and wondrous mystery: “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be.” (Ps 139,13-16) The “way of God” begins in “my inmost being.” If we follow the interior path of the soul we come to the truth of our deepest identity and origins. It is like checking our ancestry through a DNA test. We discover that we are children of God. “But to those who did accept him (Jesus), he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.” (Jn 1,12)
If we have been so wonderfully created by God in his image and likeness then, like the claim of Caesar on the coin, God has a claim on us. It is he who can rightfully determine our value, our meaning and purpose, our use and ultimately our final end. Jesus has come among us to lead us into this truth of God’s sovereignty and the interior way that leads us to know and to act on this truth. There is true authority in the objective truth that is written within us. Jesus in all of his words and works is continuously calling us to a path of life, the path of the truth, that is not distant and unknowable but that is found within our own hearts. It is written on our hearts as surely as the image of Caesar is stamped on a Roman coin. Our journey always is directed within so that we can return to the source and origin of our being. It is here we learn who we are and whose we are and therefore what we must do to be what we are meant to be. The path of this interior truth follows the way of the law, but a law that is written on our hearts, not on stone tablets.
The truth that we must discover and that must have authority in our lives is near to us and written on our hearts: “For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” (Deut 30,11-14)
This law that dwells within us as the Spirit of truth and as an interior law that guides us is our conscience. Gaudium et spes teaches: “In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God; to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths. In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor.” (GS, 16)
God has made us in his image so that we might discover how to live in his love. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you…Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” (Jn 15,7.10) Repay to God what is God’s, keep his objective law and you will lay up for yourself a true treasure in heaven. Walk in the way of God, live in his truth and you will know eternal life.