[1]“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 as we live in the current political tension. From my vantage point, it is a time of
positioning for public support through twitter & facebook messages,
competing agendas, and promises of its “all
about you” baby. This tension
springs from party alignments and distancing, as officials 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 mixed messages, 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, when they first approach Jesus
they try to butter Jesus up and then asked 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 the 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.[2] By asking them to describe the coin Jesus
highlights the embarrassing evidence.
The story of Jesus and paying
taxes to the Emperor is sometimes used to argue that Christians should not
worry about how our religious and political duties and loyalties 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.[3]
When Jesus says we should give Caesar
what is coming to him, he tells us what everyone knows. Citizens owe loyalty and obedience to their
country. The government provides the
safety and services that make life livable, and has the right to demand that
everyone contribute to the common welfare.
In the realm of law, the nation is the highest authority. But in the realm of morality, it is not. In matter of conscience, the power of the
state is not absolute. When we salute
the flag, we pledge allegiance to one nation under God, not the other way
around.[4] The Church too must be wary. During his morning Mass on October 19th, Pope
Francis told a story about a priest who demanded a father not be present at his
child's baptism ceremony because he had been divorced. The pope said such a priest
takes away "the key of knowledge" and "closes the door" on
people. Francis said God wants his disciples to live so that they can also help
"open the door" to God for themselves and for others.
Often during the election
seasons I’m regularly asked by faithful people, “Why doesn’t the Church just 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 to God alone.[5] We have been formed and informed in the ways
of the sacred and the secular throughout all of history. Jesus did not make rules, but his principle
stands. Our current homeland may be the
United States of America, to whom we owe our pledge of allegiance. Yet our true homeland, the homeland we hope to
gain when this life is done, is with God, to whom we owe everything.
What can a simple coin reveal? “Paying taxes? Petty change.
Following Jesus? Priceless!”[6]
[1] New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition ©
1986. Scriptures: Is 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thes 1:1-5b;
Mt 22:15-21
[2] Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels.
Bruce J. Malina & Richard L Rohrbaugh © 2003. Fortress Press, MN
[3] Living the Word. Laurie Brink, O.P. and Deacon Frederick
Bauerschmidt © 2013. World Library
Publications
[4] Sundays with Jesus, Reflections for the Year of
Matthew. © 2007 by James DiGiacomo. Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.
[5] Living the Word. Laurie Brink, O.P. and Deacon Frederick
Bauerschmidt © 2013. World Library
Publications
[6] 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment