Keeping things in their proper perspective

Dear Parish Family,

In today's Gospel, the religious leaders of the time plotted to entrap Jesus in his speech. They thought they would trick him into saying something unlawful against the Romans or against the strict Jewish laws by questioning him about the payment of taxes. At the time, Herodians, Jews who collaborated with the Romans, favored the payment of taxes, while the Pharisees taught scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law and opposed Roman occupation. They wanted Jesus to side with one of them and at the same time expose him to the breaking of either the Roman laws or the Jewish religious laws.

In a single question, his opponents asked him to choose between the ideal of a religious life separate from the dominant culture or a life so fully immersed in that culture that religious practice and identity are lost. I want to rephrase this question to something that perhaps you or I could be asked today.

Are you Catholic first and American second or American first and Catholic second?

How would you respond to this question? Do we follow the laws of the land, or do we only follow the laws of our faith?
​Can we do both?

Jesus did not fall for their tricks. His response is perfect: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Jesus reminds us of the importance of keeping things in their proper perspective. Do we attach ourselves to worldly things at the expense of the love and honor that we owe to God? We are part of this country with many just laws that align very well with our religious beliefs. Yet others, though on the surface seem ideal and extremely popular for the greater society, are unjust and destroy human dignity.

As participants of society we have a responsibility to actively participate in the common good, a moral and ethical act that affirms the dignity of each and every human person. 

To the best of our ability, we should live a life of a “good participating public citizen” without compromising our faith and our souls. In other words, let us look to do good,
and live out our faith in every facet of our lives, at work, school and homes.
​It is possible to do both.


Blessings,

Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister 

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