29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026

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In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is asked a question designed to trap him: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” After asking whose image appears on the coin, Jesus gives his famous response: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

With Election Day only a few weeks away, those words are worth taking to heart.

As Catholics, we are called to be good and responsible citizens. We should take our civic responsibilities seriously, learn about the issues, form our consciences carefully, pray for wisdom, and vote.

But Jesus also reminds us that Caesar does not get everything.

No political party is the Gospel. No candidate perfectly represents the Kingdom of God. No ideology should ever become more important to us than our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The coin bore Caesar’s image. We bear God’s image.

That means that before we are Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, we belong to God. And when we enter the voting booth, we should bring with us a conscience shaped by the Gospel: a concern for human life and dignity, the poor and vulnerable, justice and peace, the dignity of work, care for creation, and the common good.

Perhaps the best preparation for Election Day is not another political advertisement or argument. Perhaps it is prayer.

“Lord, help me to see our world as you see it. Form my conscience. Give me wisdom. And whatever happens in an election, never let me forget that my first allegiance belongs to you.”

Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.

But give to God what belongs to God.

And that includes our hearts, our consciences, and ultimately our lives.

I especially like the coin/image connection here. Jesus asks whose image is stamped on the coin; Genesis tells us whose image is stamped on us. That gives the column a theological center so it doesn't feel like an obligatory “Father says something about voting” column.

Location: Morrisonville, NY, USA

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