A GOOD CHRISTIAN MAKES A GOOD CITIZEN.
The Christian life is a life caught between two opposing forces. The force of light or divine and the force of darkness or humanism. However, it is worth noting that a good Christian makes a good citizen. This is what St. Augustine tried to prove in his book: The City of God “De civitate Dei contra paganos”. Where he proved that neither Christianity nor Christians are responsible for the fall of Rome. And that its fall was due to moral decadence.
For Saint Augustine, the two societies, that of the elect (“The City of God”) and that of the damned (“The City of Man”) are symbolic embodiments of the two spiritual powers—faith and unbelief.
OUR THEMES
The readings of this Sunday talk to us about being faithful to God. And at the same being a responsible citizen to civic authorities in guidelines with Christian values, duties, and obligations. The undeniable fact is that; it is only with God’s help, we can be ideal citizens of both earth and Heaven.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 45:1, 4-6
The prophet Isaiah articulates the greatest of God´s act in Israel’s history. Namely, using a pagan king: Cyrus as an instrument of Israel´s liberation and restoration from exile. Even though, the king was not aware. Divine providence appointed King Cyrus to liberate Israel from the exile in Babylon. Hence, the most fundamental question is: can the ungodly do godly things?
In a nutshell in the Frist reading of today is a testimony that, “The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.” Proverbs 21:1
The psalmist invites us to acknowledge, honour ,and praise God forever for his glory and majesty.
SECOND READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-5
St. Paul and his companions writing to the Christian Church of Thessalonica invite them to a profound love faith, and steadfastness. A Christian life of grace and peace in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In that way, their lives can be pleasing to God as well as worthy of emulation as Christians in the Church and citizens in the human world or society.
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 22:15-21
BACKGROUND TODAY´S GOSPEL
Jesus´ discourses in the temple with Jewish religious leaders seemingly look like a form of attack on them. He had spoken three parables in which he had indicted these orthodox Jewish leaders.
(a) In the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) the Jewish leaders appear under the guise of the unsatisfactory son who did not do his father’s will.
(b) In the parable of the wicked husband-men (Matthew 21:33-46) they are the wicked husband-men.
(c) And in the parable of the king’s feast (Matthew 22:1-14), they are the condemned guests.
This indictment before the people who hold them in high esteem provokes a counterattack on Jesus. The seriousness of this attack is shown by the fact that the Pharisees and the Herodians combined to make it, for normally these two parties were in bitter opposition.
WHAT IS GOD AND WHAT IS CAESAR
Today’s gospel, with its famous “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s” has a particular topicality in our world. While the principle is clear and unambiguous, its application in particular circumstances is quite another matter. It is a matter of religious beliefs and practices as a Christian against societal or civil demand as a citizen.
The question of whether to pay tax or not which the Pharisees asked set Jesus a very real dilemma. First, if he said that it was unlawful to pay the tax, he will be reported to the Roman authority as a seditious person and arrested for civil disobedience as well as the instigation of people against Rome and its authority.
Secondly, if he said that it was lawful to pay the tax, he would stand discredited in the eyes of many of the people. Not only did the people resent the tax as everyone resents taxation. They resented it even more for religious reasons. To a Jew God was the only king; their nation was a theocracy. Hence, to pay tax to an earthly king was to admit the validity of his kingship and thereby to insult God.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE GOSPEL
They ask him in public, sensitive religious/political questions while the crowd looks on and listens. Their aim or target was to make Jesus discredit himself by his own words in the presence of the people.
a. This religious mentality of antagonism to the truth exist among us today. What is our first reaction when confronted with obvious truth about us? Often, not only denial or negate it, but we aggressive look for ways to turn it against our perceived challenges.
b. Aggression to the truth makes us blind not just to the truth but transformational changes that admitting the truth brings with it.
c. One of the ugliest reality to our Christian life and witness today is our inability to face or speak the truth without fear or favour to anyone.
d. It is very hard to live with the margin of hatred and malice. This was Christ´s constant life pattern with the Jewish religious authorities. They know is character and personality. That, he is true, teach the way of God in truth, that he cannot be swayed by anyone or feared anyone. Yet, they spied on him, they set traps for him and they were out to find fault and label. Why? Just to discredit him before the people.
e. This is not only Jesus´ life. This is our lives too. When in the Church, in the religious life and Christian community or family we seek to destroy others because of some challenging truth we are not comfortable with.
CATHOLIC CATECHISM ON CIVIL DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS
The Catholic Church Catechism points out three circumstances where citizens are obliged in conscience to refuse obedience to the civil authorities. They are when the laws are:
1. Contrary to the moral order.
2. Against the fundamental rights of persons
3. And also contrary to the teachings of the gospel.
This is not a conflict in any sense at all. A true Christian or Catholic is a law-abiding citizen. He or she is not only obligated by law but also but her Christian belief that every civil authority is constituted by God. Therefore always a good Christian makes a good citizen.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, we live in an era that is very conflictual to live out the Christian faith, principles, and values by the Gospel. Without conformity or watering down of its standard either for fear or favor. Help us to be true, authentic, and honest to our dual citizenship of heaven and earthly society giving God´s due to God and Caesar’s due to Caesar. Amen.
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