It never ceases to amaze me to what lengths people will go to make a point. St. Matthew’s Gospel today provides us with an example I believe verifies this belief.
According to biblical and historical scholars, the two Jewish sects of Pharisees and Herodians during Jesus’ times hated one another. The Pharisees resented the demand of any tax payment to a foreign king because they believed that God was their only king. The Herodians were supporters of Herod the Great, King of Galilee, who received his power from the Romans and, therefore, supported the collection of taxes to benefit their cause. And yet, both were willing to put their differences aside to form an “unholy” alliance that rid them of Jesus, because they hated Him more.
In our society today, we are witnessing more fractionalization of ideas that seem to impose its will on others no matter the course of action or the response from either side of a point of concern. This is apparent with the Covid-19, racial protests, unlawful acts and political mechanizations to name a few. Statements from either side of these issues seem to be more one-sided as opposed to comparing the needs of each to come to some type of agreement as to how to proceed to address what is viewed as an injustice. Instead, we are left to our own conscience as how to solve what needs to be done to take care of the needs of all as best we can.
It is these types of actions from our Gospel, readings and what is constantly hammered in our news media that should clarify for us that we live in two kingdoms. There is the kingdom of mankind which establishes a civil system of federal, state and local governments to take care of peoples’ needs using tax-based ideas to pay for needed services that few people can supply on their own. The other kingdom is that of God’s which by our Baptism into the Catholic faith we promise to be loyal to because we have received a free gift of salvation from God by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Our “tax” so to speak is to follow God by sharing love, mercy and forgiveness to all of God’s creation through peaceful means.
By November third, those who are registered to vote are asked to do so as a way of voicing their concerns by the choices they make for candidates and propositions. As Catholics we are called to form a conscience of faithful citizenship that looks at our life in the kingdom of mankind to better coincide with the kingdom of God because we believe that God is there for us in both kingdoms. Whether we believe it is a right or a privilege, it is our responsibility as a people of faith to promote the goodness of God’s purpose for our creation.
Pope Francis in his annual message for World Mission Sunday 2020, which is today, said we should ask ourselves if we are willing “to be sent forth at any time or place to witness our faith” and “ready to be completely at the service of God’s will.” Though the majority of his talk addressed the worldwide pandemic, in all his talks or writings he has asked us to be proactive in our efforts to take care of one another.
Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees and Herodians’ question was that we need to repay what belongs to our society and to God whatever is due. We do this out of love and concern not out of hatred or other negative pathways. Let us heed Pope Francis’ call by our vote in the November 3rd elections and in all our actions that address human dignity, subsidiarity, common good and solidarity.
Reading 1: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Reading 2: First Thessalonians 1:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21
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