TEXT: The Gospel According to Saint Matthew 22:15-21

Archibald Hughes once said, "The Catholic Church is not a party in the politics of any nation, at home or abroad.  Her mission is to all nations, and to all parties in each, except as either may be divided from the other by the eternal principles of right and wrong.  She can neither give her mission and her message to all for the sake of only some."  (Letters, Works, 2, 471)

Jesus lived above all politics.

And, so should we live above all politics for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples.  The Church, with Jesus as her Head may not enjoy the "traps" of the schemes of men.

It is important to remember with St. Thomas Aquinas that -- "Political life neither provides our final end nor contains the happiness we seek for ourselves or others. . . .the purpose of temporal tranquility, which well ordered policies establish and maintain, is to give opportunities for contemplating truth."  (Commentary on Ethics, 10, lect. II)

Our final end will rely little on our political affiliations.  However, though, if we give ourselves over to power in this world with little sympathy for the ways of God in our dealings with men in justice, then, there awaits for us the sure Justice of God.  And, our God and our Mother, Mary, is the Friend of the anawim.

There were those, and there remain to day, those who ask these questions.  What should be our involvement with the politics of the world?

Perhaps, we may learn something of the answer in this Gospel passage today.

15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk.
16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men.

How many times has flattery preceded crafty words?  It seems that is how Satan gets us entrapped always.  Words that try to affect "friendship."  But, Jesus was not trapped at all.  What they said was true.  Jesus did not -- "regard the position of men."   His position was not to care for one man over another.  God so loved the world (mankind) that he gave his only begotten Son.  (Cf. John 3:16)

If they said that Jesus was "true," then why did they not follow Jesus?

So, they try to trick him into taking a political side so that they might accuse Jesus before the Romans.  Now, keep in mind that the Herodians were good friend of the Romans, because they had established Herod into power, and, Herod Antipas was the Tetrarch.  They believed in Rome and Herod, because Rome had "padded their beds."  So, it often is with politics.

Men like to "pad the beds" of others for gain.

God does not deal with men in that way.  God deals with mankind in theTruth, and Jesus is the Truth.  And, God is not falsehood and injustice.

Therefore, Jesus allows the questions,

17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?

It is important that we remember that it is the "gentle Jesus" speaking here.  Jesus is not ever afraid to call a "spade a spade."

Today, we are often into plausibility, that is pleasing everyone.  Well, my friends, God is not into plausibility thinking.  God calls sin --> sin.  God calls evil --> evil.  God will Judge all men and will Judge in Righteousness.

So, Jesus, the Son of God Judges this issue.

19 Show me the money for the tax." And they brought him a coin.
20 And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"
21 They said, "Caesars." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods."

This is a simple issue -- yes?

Men have debated this, saying, just exactly what did Jesus mean?

Well, he meant what he said.  We have responsibilities to the government.  We have responsibilities to God.  Sometimes they are in conflict.  Then, we obey God no matter what.

Arch Bishop Oscar Romero entered the doors of the soldier occupied Church and beheld the Blessed Sacrament upon the ground, a sacrilege!  He was ordered out of the Church.  But, he disobeyed, because he went down on his knees to quickly pick up the Blessed Sacrament.  He disobeyed the soldiers and risked his life for our Lord.  In the same manner, we are called to obey God always.  We are to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But, always to render to God what is God’s.

Caesar will die and be judged by God.
God will be the Judge of all men, women, children, just and unjust, slave and free, kings and commoners.  God will not be mocked.  God will see all and hear all, and there will be Justice when the Sun of Righteousness descends with healing in his wings.

Our Lady speaks of this in her Magnificat.  (Luke 1: 51-55, RSV)

"He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,  he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;  he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."

Who are the posterity of Abraham?  The children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  The Baptized faithful.

The justice of God is here and now happening and it will be reality eschatologically.

With a little Babe in Bethlehem, God scattered the Satan (Adversary) and his fallen angels.  St. Michael and his angels protect our Lady in the desert and the remnant of her seed.

Where are the evil dead today?

The question begs the answer.

Where dwell the righteous?

With God.

Mary has already shown us our own destiny, if we live in Christ faithful to the end.  Let us do so for the greater glory of God.



Deus et Sanctissima.