"Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar - and to God what belongs to God". This sentence, which we hear at the end of today’s gospel, was for many people a justification for separating religion and public life. We see this happening for the first time in the French Revolution in the 18th century, and then again in the Soviet Union in the 20th century. In our times this experiment can still be seen in China, North Korea and Cuba. The separation of religion and society always brings enormous suffering to people, who are persecuted and killed in the name of the new order.

So, we have to ask this question: should the Church be married to any state or government? I don’t think so. The history of the Church gives us many examples of this direct connection. It was always dangerous for people and fatal for the church’s mission.

When we look carefully at today’s gospel, we can see that the question put by the Pharisees is a trap. The political situation at that time was very complicated. Judea was a part of the Roman Empire, ruled by a governor. The Jews despised and hated the Romans, they dreamed of recovering their independence and were ready to rise against the Romans, who had occupied their country. The Romans knew what they were thinking and suppressed every uprising with great bloodshed. Jewish radicals used religion to justify resistance against the Empire. Taxes were one of the most unbearable signs of Roman power. Listen again to the question put to Jesus: "Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?". This is a trap. It is very cunning. No matter how Jesus replies, this is the end of his career. If he says "don’t pay the taxes", he might be jailed for stirring up trouble against the Empire; if he says "pay the taxes" he might be accused of collaboration. So, do you see, how the Pharisees used religion in an attempt to destroy Jesus.

Today’s gospel is a warning for us. Religion is a way of perfection. If it is real it brings forth greater love. If, on the other hand, religion justifies destroying or killing people, it has become false. We shouldn’t separate religious motivation from our decisions and actions. Collapsing financial systems show us clearly, what happens when people lose basic religious values. We very much need religion in our public life, but this can never be a matter of law, it is something for hearts and minds.