Let me begin this week’s Gospel reflection with a simple question: would you rather be known for telling the truth, or for telling lies?

I’m pretty certain of each person’s answer: you want to be known as truthful. You see, when we lie, we must keep that a secret; we can’t let the truth about our lie ever get out in public … because even if you are lying, you want people to believe that you are telling the truth. Even liars need to be believed as truthful.

Consider what unfolds with the conversation in the Gospel. Agents of the Pharisees approached Jesus and praised Him for being truthful, with little or no concern for the opinion of people or their status. They then pose a question about the census tax for Caesar. You’ve probably heard this passage before, but have you ever wondered, what does the first part of the conversation have to do with the second? Was their first part trying to induce Jesus to lie about the tax? Or, was it simply to say something that could be evidence before the Roman authorities? Did they assume that Jesus would “agree” that the tax was unfair, thus getting Himself on a watch list for the Roman rulers?

Of course, Jesus’ answer is truthful, without weighing in on the merits of the tax being demanded: “… give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God’s.” Simple. Direct. Easy!

So why don’t we always follow that rule? Is it because the list of what belongs to God is, well, everything but our sin?

Considered and interpreted another way: everything of the world belongs to the world, and God sees no particular value in these “things” of the world. What really belongs to God is our life. So how we live our life is really all that Jesus cares about. He doesn’t care who wins, but cares if you play fairly. He doesn’t care if you get promoted, but cares if you harmed others along the way.

He doesn’t care if you are wealthy, but cares about what you do to help the poor. Jesus doesn’t care if you have 5,000 followers or likes, but He does care that they follow you due to your good intentions and values.  This is clear from His teaching in other Gospel passages. “Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.” “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Or one of my favorites, “Remove the log from your eye before you help another with a splinter.”

Perhaps the Pharisees had more correct than we initially thought: Jesus spoke the truth, and is The Truth … and The Way … and our Life. Return that life to Him each day with honor and love, never needing to hide what we say or do.