Matthew 22:15-21
Dear Friends Today’s Gospel has Jesus undergoing four conflicts with different groups. Each separate group tries to entrap Jesus in way that endangers his life. He turns each disagreement into a teaching opportunity.
Today’s message is not about the separation of church and state. It is a clear mandate to put God at the center in all things. By saying, “then repay to Caesar what belong to Ceasar and to God what belongs to God.” (Mt 22:21) Jesus sets a clear standard for all to follow. All are to obey the civil power within the context of paying to God what belongs to God.
The priority of God puts the image of the coin into this context. The image on the coin is countered by the continuous and pervasive teaching of Jesus that every human being is in the image of God. “Whatever you did for one of the least brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did for me.” (Mt. 25:40)
The Gospel invites us to participate in each and every group whether it is social, economic, political, civil or even family by respecting the image of God in our brothers and sisters. This leads us to always being in search for the common good.
This is no easy task. All groups are a mixture of the good and the bad and a whole lot in between. It takes true wisdom to discern the most responsible level of participation. Whether it is as simple as a block club or active participation in a labor union, whether it is the direction of an economic corporation or a PTA group: they all suffer the consequences of the weeds and the wheat, generosity and selfishness, private agendas and self-sacrificing service.
All of our involvement in political or civic activity needs to be driven by the image of God in our brothers and sisters. This leads us to the very tricky task of discerning the presence of God on our quest for the common good. This complex search for the truth allows persons of good will to choose very different paths. That is why we have Republicans and Democrats. Truly understanding Jesus’ message will always lead us to go deeper into what seems an either /or situation. Most times, there are several sides to be discerned in the state of affairs. In the end, today’s Gospel calls us to be involved in the very problematic reality of our social, economic and political life. Giving to God what is God’s does not mean staying aloof. It demands our being engaged in the work for justice and peace and the integrity of creation at some level in our quest for the common good. This takes a lot of wisdom.
I remember being very active in a community organization as a young priest. Our goals were very clear. We were seeking justice for a poor, neglected community that was suffering all kinds of social ills. It was all to the good in the beginning. But because there were flawed and weak human beings on all sides of the issues, I slowly realized the thrust of our actions was moving steadily away from the gospel values. Hatred, anger and gross self interest usurped much of the program. No matter how righteous our goal, the means often were in conflict with Jesus’ teachings and values.
The same potential is in every group whether it be a PTA or a large bank, the President or the most local politician, the bishops or the parish council. We always stand in need of deep and discerning prayer if our life commitments are to give “to God what belongs to God.” (Mt 22:21)
