Scriptures: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew
22:15-21
“When in the
course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the
powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature
and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation. We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.”
These are the
first two sentences to the Declaration of Independence (Preamble), which I felt
fitting to share for this political season. From my vantage point, it is a season of
positioning for public support through carefully crafted messages, competing
agendas, and promises to make this election “all
about you”. It is a season of party
alignments and distancing, as candidates reveal their vision for local and
national priorities. For me, and with those
of whom I have had political discussions, we find ourselves increasingly
frustrated in the available choices while trying to maintain alignment with our
Catholic Christian values. It is exactly
here, where, we enter the reality of scripture.
You’d think Jesus
was running for office as His opponents approach. An odd alliance representing opposite points
of view yet approaching with the same agenda, get Jesus to self-incriminate
himself in his response. The Pharisees,
whose power is in the synagogue opposed the paying of foreign taxes, first
butter him up and ask the question, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax…?” (Mt 22:17) In their concern for Torah practice, “Is it
lawful…” equals “Is it in line with Torah…”
Jesus “knowing their malice” calls them out “you hypocrites” and without
waiting for a response, asks to see the coin.
What can a simple coin reveal? Jesus’ opponents are embarrassed by their
possession of the unholy Roman coin, likely produced by the Herodian’s, which
would immediately put them at odds with their collaborators in challenging
Jesus. Followers of the Pharisees
avoided all contact with such an idolatrous object.[1] By asking them to describe the coin Jesus
highlights the embarrassing evidence.
This is the
beginning of a four week series acknowledging “The Lord is King and there is no
other”. This means “living with a conviction of heart” that leaves a clear message to
any onlooker where our true allegiance lies.
The story of Jesus
and the Roman coin is sometimes used to argue that Christians should not worry
about how our religious and political duties may conflict; how one can pay to
Caesar what is due Caesar without worrying how it might take away from that
which is due God. Yet the division
between the secular and sacred is often a blurry line.[2]
During the
political season I regularly get asked by faithful people, “Why doesn’t the
Church clearly tell us how or whom to vote?”
I believe she does. In a way, the
Church asks Jesus’ question of us, “show me the coin…” From the beginning God has commanded us, “I,
the Lord, am your God… You shall not have other gods besides me.” (Ex 20:2-3) Jesus, himself, taught us the cure to anxiety
telling us, “But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness …” (Mt 6:33). He clarified forever the difference between
kingdoms made on earth and the one created by God stating, “The Kingdom of
Heaven is within you” (Lk 17:21). In the gospel of the former tax collector,
Matthew, Jesus shows us more than 50 times the way to this Kingdom that is not
in a palace or above the sky or beneath the sea but “at hand” (Mt 4:17).
The Church calls
us to vote by a fully informed conscience and scripture calls us to be
discerning people concerning the possible conflicts between our political
loyalties and our ultimate loyalty, which is to God. In our discernment, we need to be aware of
the possibility that our political leaders may expect more from us than they
rightfully should; demanding an absolute loyalty that rightly belongs only to
God.[3] We have been formed and informed in the ways
of the sacred and the secular throughout all of history.
What can a simple
coin reveal? How todays gospel can
interestingly shed light on one of the raging debates of our own time.[4] As Michael Leach quips:
“Paying
taxes? Petty change.
Following
Jesus? Priceless!”
[1] Social-Science
Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels. Bruce J. Malina & Richard L Rohrbaugh ©
2003. Fortress Press, Minneapolis
[2] Living
the Word. Laurie Brink, O.P. and Deacon
Frederick Bauerschmidt © 2013. World
Library Publications
[3]
Ibid.
[4] Naked,
and You Clothed Me. Edited by Deacon Jim
Knipper © 2013. Clear Faith Publishing
LLC. “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar
or not?” by Michael Leach.
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