Homily For Monday Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 11th August, 2025. The Memorial of St. Clare

 

Readings: Deut. 10:12-22; Ps. 147; Matt. 17:22-27

Rev. Fr.  Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

PAYING OUR CIVIL DUES AND TAXES ARE PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Oftentimes, people feel that is not necessary to pay taxes to civil authority especially when they are not utilizing the proceeds of the taxes they collected from the people. But in our Gospel passage today, Jesus made us to know that we are expected to contribute to the growth of our civil society. 

For when the tax collectors of the Temple came to the disciples and asked them on the matter of paying the Temple taxes, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.

Here, Jesus respects those in authority both civil and religious, even when he did not agree with them. He paid his dues calling his disciples to do the same while providing for them. Today, we all are called to do the same, let us have deep respect for authorities both civil and religious and pay our dues and ensure that they are well utilized, so that, like Jesus we may contribute to the growth of our society. 

For this is what Moses is reminding us in our first reading today. For he made us to know  that the only thing the Lord our God ask of us is to fear the Lord our God, to follow all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord our God with all our heart and all our souls, to keep the commandments and laws of the Lord which he laid down for our good and the good of our neighbours.

LET us also learn from St. Clare of Assisi, whose memorial we celebrate today.  For she was a woman of great faith and humility, who was known for her selflessness, great piety, love for God and humble service to the poor, and together with other women dedicated themselves to God’s service. And through prayer and holiness they founded the religious order of the Poor Clares, as a group inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi. 

Dear friends, we must learn to love one another and keep the commandments of God as well as our civil responsibilities. For Jesus paid his civil dues and taxes, we also should learn to fulfil our civil responsibility. I know that it is difficult to accept this especially when it is not well utilized, but we must learn to fulfil them. 

So, let us start our day by first taking our time to figure out our priority and get to work on them. Let us make our daily task more interesting and attractive and ensure that we contribute to the growth of our civil society. When our tasks seem difficult, just start with the minor once and from there we will be motivated to continue and by so doing we will remain faithful in keeping the commandments of our Lord. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of your word. As we begin our task this week, may your glory through the intercession of St. Clare inspire and elevate us to greater height. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful week.