Preaching in a diverse or divided parish or faith community can feel a bit like stepping into the line of fire, with Pharisees off to the side waiting to entrap you. If you choose to speak on a controversial topic, you are sure to hear about it. In fact, no matter the topic, as a rule critics are a lot more vocal than supporters.

I PAY MY TAXES faithfully. It doesn’t matter which administration is in charge of the White House, or whether my candidates are in office. I don’t fork over money to the IRS because I’m content with where every dollar is going, and despite the fact that I’m mostly unclear what becomes of the money after I write the check. Fact is, I pay taxes not for love of empire or emperor, but because I have a duty to do so. And because I’ll get in trouble if I don’t.

That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

These days, “render unto Caesar” has got to be one of the most oft-quoted passages of the Bible, along with “an eye for an eye.” It is used by some to justify thoughtless agreement with government, even when government policies and actions are clearly contrary to faith, and mindless obedience to the law, even when the law prevents a Catholic from performing his or her Catholic duties.

In the gospel today Jesus challenges his hearers to choose to follow God above all else. Let us pray that we may make that choice.

Who’s the real enemy of your happiness? You are. You’re in charge of your life.

Saint Paul liked the Thessalonians. In the beginning of his first letter to them—the earliest writing in the New Testament—he praised them to the skies, unlike the Galatians, whom he called “foolish” for deserting the gospel he had preached to them.

He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help. —Abraham Lincoln