MARY, OUR MOTHER

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #432

Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech. And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: "Master, we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: "Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the coin of the tribute." And they offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: "Whose image and inscription is this?" They say to him: "Caesar's." Then he saith to them: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's." (Matt. 22:15-21)

OBEDIENCE TO TEMPORAL AUTHORITY: We are not only allowed, but commanded to obey the authority of the state, and to pay such taxes etc., as are due; for the authority of the state is ordained by God to protect the lives and property of subjects. If there were no temporal authority, disorder, robbery, murder etc., would be rampant; and, therefore, as the authority of the state exists for the good of subjects, it is the duty of these last to pay those taxes etc. without which it cannot be kept up.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)