Tell Of His Glory

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

October 19, 2026

in Spritual Growth

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Readings: Isaiah 45:1-7
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026 Homily – Abp. Hines

If there’s anyone who knows about life, it is Christ Himself. He teaches us each week about the life we should be living. Psalm 96:3-6 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Isaiah 45:1 This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, to subdue nations before him and to undo the weapons belt on the waist of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.

Why do we choose the weaker things rather than focusing on the power that God has given us? We are to declare His strength and glory. The enemy wants us to focus on things that would bring us down, but Christ came to give us life in abundance.

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and Herodians who do not see things eye to eye had one thing in common here. They all wanted to get rid of Jesus. So they tried to trick Jesus with a political Catch-22. They asked if it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor. The Romans were charging many different taxes to the people; there were the grand tax, income tax, poll tax. And the Jews were crying out and saying this was illegal. And so, the Pharisees and Herodians came to Jesus with the trick question. They were thinking that If Jesus said “yes,” He would anger Jewish crowds who hated Roman rule and tax. If He said “no,” He would be accused of treason against Rome. So, Jesus asked for a Roman coin (a denarius) and pointed out that Caesar’s face and name were stamped on it. Because the coin bears Caesar’s image and belongs to the civil system, you can fulfill your material and civic obligations (such as paying taxes) to earthly governments. Because human beings bear the image of God (created in His likeness), you owe your heart, soul, and ultimate allegiance to God. “Whose image is on the coin?” Jesus asks. “Whose inscription?” They reply, “Caesar.” Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.

Jesus is literally saying to us, “what’s mine is mine.” Whose image is on us? We were created by God in His likeness. So, we should be giving Him that which is due to Him and belongs to Him. We are His image bearers. We have the responsibility to show forth His image. We are to bring glory to His name. The message of today is that we are to render to God what belongs to Him. We are to tell of His glory, living a life that He has intended for us.