So, what is your opinion? Do we repay Caesar what belongs to Uncle Sam, and to God what belongs to Jesus? Certainly, our opinion matters. At least to the Pharisees, as they ask Jesus what his opinion is. And God knows we all have an opinion on most matters.
Trying to figure out in our lives what belongs to God should not be a difficult answer. We have been at this Catholic religion thing for quite some time now. Most of us, anyway. We’ve been placing our best foot forward, not only to transform our own lives into the holiness God calls us to, making them more and more reflective of the image of Jesus walking alongside us.
To not only transform our own lives bit by bit each day for Christ. But we transform the world too for Jesus. Our world would be a better place to live if it took on the image of Jesus. Our world is in need of such transformation in this moment of time. Granted, a few of us are called to greater responsibilities than others. But, as individuals, we still have the capacity to transform the world around us through being faithful to the image of God. The image of Jesus stamped on our hearts and minds.
Carrying that invisible, yet powerful coin that purchases for this world some peace and stability, some mercy and good works. This image of Jesus was stamped on our souls at Baptism and Confirmation. And the even greater stamp of receiving the real Christ in his Body & Blood. The most holy coin there is.
At this point in my life, with about 20 years left or thereabouts, as far as Mr. Caeser is concerned, he can go fly a kite. I figure I’ll be gone to Jesus in a short 2 decades. Fr. Paul is already much older than I will ever be by the time each of us meets the real image of Jesus face-to-face. By the time we meet the real coin.
A few brief thoughts on Mr. Caeser: he can become wearisome and tiring. His deceit, warmongering, lies, attacks on human life, getting drunk on power, abusing his power, controlling people’s lives, attacking God’s gift of religious freedom, spending your money on some of the most wasteful things imaginable. Mr. Caeser will do some good things when he’s having a good day, or when he begins to get cornered, or when he’s losing the image of being a public servant.
A Senator from California died a few weeks ago, and may have God mercy on her soul as well as mine. That particular United States Senator had an estate of 90 million dollars. As a U.S. Senator. I know she was there for a long time; I believe since 1776. But 90 million dollars? As a Senator? And her last name was not Kennedy, who we know has lots of money. At what point do we have enough of Mr. Caeser? I haven’t had enough of Jesus yet, and I do pray that you have not had enough of him either. That each day we seek to carry his coin in our hearts. May we not be fulfilled in our possession of Jesus until we fearfully and joyfully stand before his image face-to-face. To seek the Lord always, and lead others to him.
We pay our taxes. I pray we are patriotic in the midst of loud groups who presently attack those who are patriotic. Stay the course for freedom and patriotism. Especially freedom, which is how God created us, and which human governments and groups take away. As St. Paul writes, “Fight the good fight.” But always without violence. We are Jesus, not Barabbas. Christians are grounded in peace, not violence.
We give to Caeser the little that is meant to be rendered in this world. Some may consider what we render to Caeser to be much; but when placed aside eternal life, it really is small. Unless, of course, it’s the ultimate sacrifice of a soldier with the good intentions of securing peace and defending freedom. Or a firefighter, or police officer, and such people. Then we’ve given everything.
But the image of Caeser will one day cease to be. For when Jesus returns, all governments will be permanently shut down, and the Kingdom of God in its fullness will reign forever. There will no longer be concerns about events in the Middle East.
This is why we give our faith, good works, and allegiance to Jesus, and to all that symbolizes his image. Even when good works are performed in the name of our nation; even when the Presidential Medal of Honor is placed around a person’s neck for meritorious service of some kind; whatever authentic good is found in the act, our Lord Jesus is the Source who made it possible.
There are no coins with Caeser on one side and Jesus on the other side. We can be of service to both God and country. But they are not of equal allegiance. Our first allegiance is to one or the other. I choose the Man from Nazareth, who is rich in all that is good for this world, and infinitely rich in life eternal.