A GOOD CHRISTIAN IS GOOD CITIZEN.
A good Christian is a good citizen is the principle of Dual citizenship and dual obligations: This doctrine is sometimes called the “doctrine of the two powers,” or the “two realms,” meaning that the life of a Christian involves a twofold allegiance: to the ruling government in civil and secular issues, and to God and the Church as regards spiritual and religious issues.
By birth, we become the citizens of the country of our birth, and by Baptism, we become the citizens of Heaven. The Christian life is a life caught between two opposing forces. The force of light or divine and the force of darkness or humanism. Our dual citizenships are symbolic embodiments of the two spiritual powers—faith and unbelief.
OUR THEMES
The common theme of today’s readings is the nature of our obligations to God and our country. 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, that 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 acts 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, the first 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.
In the second reading, referring to Jesus as “our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul acknowledges Jesus as One who shares Divine power with God the Father. Paul reminds his Thessalonians that it was God Who chose them to live in Him and gave them the power to produce the “work of Faith … labour of Love and endurance of Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God our Father.” It is for this reason that Paul praises his converts in Thessalonica, assuring them, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers.”
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 husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46) they are the wicked husbandmen.
(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 phrase “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 demands 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 would 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 but 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 insult God.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE GOSPEL
They ask him in public, sensitive religious/political questions while the crowd look 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 exists among us today. What is our first reaction when confronted with obvious truth about us? Often, we not only deny or negate it, but we aggressively look for ways to turn it against our perceived challenges.
b. Aggression to the truth makes us blind not just to the truth but to transformational changes that admitting the truth brings with it.
c. One of the ugliest realities 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 tough to live with the margin of hatred and malice. This was Christ´s constant life pattern with the Jewish religious authorities. They know his character and personality. That, he is true, teaches the way of God in truth, that he cannot be swayed by anyone or feared anyone. Yet, they spied on him, set traps for him, and 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 to 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 favour. Help us to be genuine, 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.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Over one billion Catholics all over the world observe today as the 96th World Mission Sunday. Pope Pius XI instituted this annual observance in 1926 by Papal decree. Every year since then, the Universal Church has dedicated the month of October to reflection on, and prayer for, the missions.
On World Mission Sunday, Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist and to contribute to a collection of the work of evangelization around the world. Of the 3,000 dioceses in the world, about 1000 are missionary dioceses—they need assistance from more established dioceses to build catechetical programs, seminaries, Religious Communities, Chapels, Churches, orphanages, hospitals, and schools.
This annual celebration gives us a chance to reflect on the importance of mission work for the life of the Church. It reminds us that we are one with the Church around the world and that we are all committed to carrying on the mission of Christ, however different our situations may be. The greatest missionary challenge that we face at home is a secular and consumerist culture in which God is not important, moral values are relative, and institutional religions are deemed unnecessary.
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