Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar; Give to God what belongs to God

October is Respect Life month. While we thank God that the terrible reign of Roe vs Wade case has ended, we also recognize that abortion still continues in most states and is aggressively promoted at the federal level.

As stated by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities - this year – the Respect Life month theme is "Living Radical Solidarity".

While ending legalized abortion remains our pre-eminent priority, the most immediate way to save babies and mothers from abortion is to thoroughly surround mothers in need with life-giving support and personal accompaniment. This is radical solidarity. 

St. Pope John Paul II first defined “radical solidarity” in this way: “In firmly rejecting ‘pro-choice’ it is necessary to become courageously ‘pro woman,’ promoting a choice that is truly in favor of women. … The only honest stance, in these cases, is that of radical solidarity with the woman. It is not right to leave her alone.” 

The USCCB states that being in radical solidarity with women who are pregnant or raising children in difficult circumstances means putting our love for them into action and putting their needs before our own. Pope Francis reminds us that solidarity “refers to something more than a few occasional acts of generosity.”

This new mindset requires that we come alongside vulnerable mothers in profound friendship, compassion, and support for both them and their preborn children. It means addressing the fundamental challenges that lead an expectant mother to believe she is unable to welcome the child God has entrusted to her. 

This includes collective efforts within our dioceses, parishes, schools and local communities, engagement in the public square, and pursuit of policies that help support both women and their preborn babies.

We are the hands and feet of Christ in the world today and we each have a personal responsibility to care for one another. 

With that in mind – We reflect on the Gospel reading "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

Jesus’ reply makes an important point for both first-century Jews and for us today: - meaning - we can, and we should, meet both our civic and religious obligations.

So - What “belongs to Caesar”? In other words, what are our civic duties?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “It is the duty of citizens to contribute . . . to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom” (2239). This includes a moral obligation “to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country” (2240).

… In other words - It is for us to observe which we need to obey to ensure a civilized, peaceful and orderly society….  and in that sense - we give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.

So - What belongs to God?

You see - Even as we render to Caesar, so to speak – what is legitimately his, we still need to acknowledge – that Caesar, all law - has to do with God…  Everything belongs to God.  God is the creator and He sustains the whole universe… God touches on everything in existence… and so people cannot say that certain aspects or areas of their lives do not belong to God…. The bottom line - Everything belongs to God… including Caesar… and that we are called to be stewards of God’s creation – a privilege to share in His divine life that comes with responsibility.

So - When the things of Caesar conflict with the things of God, the primary loyalty of the human heart belongs to God.  God’s laws are primary.

Peter and John when they stood before the Sanhedrin Court, they were charged with the crime of preaching in the name of Jesus, and their only defense was: “We must obey God rather than man.”  … meaning - when the decrees or laws of any government or any organization conflict with the dictates of conscience… we must obey God rather than man.

Everything is by the grace of God and everything is a free gift from God and the sin of Adam and Eve – the sin of people of today - is that instead of trusting God and submitting to God’s will,  they grabbed the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil – meaning – they grabbed, they took the prerogative that belongs to God alone - people do not want to leave it to God to decide as to what is right and what is wrong – and in modern pro-choice language – they say: “This is MY life; this is MY body”  - and I can do whatever I want -

– It is my choice whatever I want to do with my body – I decide what is right and what is wrong for me – I choose and decide when life begins (abortion) and when life must end (euthanasia).

People and the government are now even re-defining what marriage is… and people are saying – take God out of our bedroom.

People wanting to be God…  that is the root cause of the Fall of Man… the deadliest of sin - pride.

The purpose of God’s divine law, His commandments which are being taught/proclaimed by the Church are not to restrict or limit our freedom but to lead us to true freedom – ultimate freedom – sharing in God’s divine life – for us to be what we were created to be and meant to be … which leads to true lasting joy and peace within our hearts no matter what circumstances we might find ourselves in.

A simple analogy is a train.  A train is made to run on its track (like the laws and the commandments of God; they are like tracks) and the train will never be more free than when it is on its track.  Take the train off the tracks – yes – it will still move forward and it might be free to go in all directions – but it will not be truly free – because it will never reach its destination… where it is intended to be.

God is the giver of life.  Human life is a spiritual, moral issue, and when the laws of men are immoral, when they are attacking the laws of God and the sacredness and dignity of human life, then Godly men and women, the People of God should speak out and even protest…

The Church is therefore not venturing too far into politics, not venturing/not meddling in medical profession – in our bedrooms - because they are not areas of our lives absolutely separate from the practice of our faith.

Let us keep in mind the encouraging words of the Holy Father: “Any tendency to treat faith or religion as a private matter must be resisted. Only when their faith permeates every aspect of our lives, do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel.”

As we share our faith more publicly, we will be opposed.  Jesus said: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” 

We all have the same right as anyone else  ... we can express our opinions in private and in public.  We have the same rights as those who oppose God’s teachings but, so often, we are afraid to express His truths for fear that we will be ridiculed or for fear of the consequences.  Jesus says it very plainly .... stand up and demand that God be given what is His! Give to God what belongs to God!

If the apostles and the many men and women before us suffered trying to spread the word of God, we too in the words of St. Paul must bear our share of hardship for the sake of the Gospel.

We were created in God’s image - in his own likeness (Genesis 1:26-27).  Therefore - We rightfully belong, not to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed us through our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor. 6:19-20).  St. Paul said that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). 

We should find courage and strength in what Jesus said (at the conclusion of Matthew‘s gospel): "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me . . . make disciples of all nations. . . . and behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Mt 28: 18-20).

Jesus said: “In this world, you will have troubles; but do not be afraid, I have overcome the world.”

We are all called to be faithful citizens and we have dual citizenship – so to speak – we are citizens of this nation and more importantly – ultimately - we are citizens of heaven… our true home.