“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belong to God.”
This verse shows that there is a separation that exists between these two realities. As Americans this is one reality that we enjoy, the separation of Church and state which guarantees us religious freedom. In other societies especially ancient societies this separation is not the case. In some cultures the authoritative figure is seen as being a god such as is the case with pharaoh and the Egyptians.
Judaism has a complex history when it pertains to the relationship that exists between religious and civil leaders. The Lord is drawing upon this reality when He gives His response to their question. This comment would be impossible in a culture such as Rome or Egypt for there was no division found between religious and civil leaders. Nevertheless, this comment expressed the division of these two realms.
As Saint Peter and the apostles answered in the Acts of the Apostles, “We must obey God rather than men.” So too we are called upon to follow the will of God in our life. Where just laws are found we must obey them and where unjust laws are found we must fight again them. Just because something is found to be culturally acceptable does not mean that it is acceptable in the eyes of God.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to think of the many ways in which we as a society follow practices though legal which are harmful for our spiritual wellbeing. There is a plague in our society against the unborn, there is a plague in our society against the true meaning of our human sexuality, there is a confusion of the sanctity of marriage, and we have become too busy to allow God to enter into our life.
Saint Thomas More was put to death for he was unwilling to reject the truth that he proclaimed in his heart. Despite the law of the land he was unwilling to reject the faith that he held as true. He could of accepted Anne Boleyn as queen, but he could not reject the authority of the pope as he was being required to do by law.
We must be willing to live good and moral lives which do not compromise the truths of the faith. Sure these things may be legal and culturally acceptable, but as Christians we are always called to something greater. If we know Christ and come to profess Him with our lips we must come to embrace the Gospel in its entirety and not just the part of it that we find to be most useful and fulfilling.
This day let us come to embrace the Lord. Wherever our life has wondered away from Him let us move back to Him and His mercy. Let continue to pray for society and thus that just laws may always come to be enacted. In all things let us realize that we are called upon to “obey God rather than men.” Let us obey Him with our whole heart, soul, and mind.
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.