29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” as it says in today’s Gospel. This means to return things to their rightful owners. Returning things to their rightful owners is not just a matter of being honest; it is also a way to preserve our self-respect and trust. Honesty is an irreplaceable treasure, and returning what belongs to others is a way to keep that treasure shining. Please do not hold on to things that do not belong to you. For a pure heart safeguards only what is right. Returning what belongs to others is a small step toward making the world a fairer place.
Everything seeks its rightful owner. Therefore, even if you cling desperately to something that isn’t yours, it will eventually slip away. Everything has its own place to belong, and there it will surely flourish. Everything is useful in its proper place, when held by the right person.
True possessions are not what we hold in our hands, but what dwells within our hearts. Everything we possess is temporary; let us use it wisely before returning it. Isn’t peace of mind the most valuable thing we should possess, above all else?
I believe that we here are undoubtedly returning the emperor’s possessions to him properly. Now, what about what belongs to God? If we must pay taxes to God, exactly how much should we pay? We do not need to pay taxes to God. Is there anything in this world that does not belong to God?
“God created us in His own image.” Therefore, our lives bear God’s image, God’s inscription, or God’s mark. We do not belong solely to this world. We are God’s greatest creation. Our lives begin with God and are directed toward Him. God desires our entire lives. Let us embark on this week’s journey, mindful that everything—our thoughts, our hearts, our work, our families, our talents, how we treat others, how we relate to one another, how we use our wealth, our worries, our hopes, our love, and even the way we love our homeland—can all become an offering to God.