Today’s Thoughts: Perhaps two thoughts from our readings today. The first comes from our initial reading today from the Second Letter of St. Peter. I could not help but think of all the goings on these days, the virus that has been with us for months now, the deaths of a number of innocent people, the protests, the violence, the dissension, hate, anger that is present in our society, culture, nation and Church. Maybe like the early Church that Peter is writing to we long for Christ to come again and get us out of this mess. However, as Peter tells the community, we have got to wait, with patience and faith, God works in God’s time. We need to live life with the faith and hope that longs for God’s presence and love!
Secondly, in our Gospel today, Jesus finds himself once again challenged, harassed, or questioned by the religious leadership. The Pharisees and Herodians seem to be at least civil this time, yet they are still trying to entrap Jesus. Their tactic this time is to ask about paying taxes. In recent years there has been a lot of talk about religious freedom, about the government infringing on the rights of churches, religions. Perhaps our Gospel story today can be cast in the light of religious freedom after all Rome was asking for tax money so that they could continue their conquering ways. Just think of all the barbaric acts that these taxes would be paying for. Just think of the Roman occupation that these taxes would be helping to fund. It would seem only right for Jesus to say that withholding the Roman tax would be the right thing to do. However, Jesus simply says, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” In other words, culture and society are not always going to line up with our faith values yet we are still part of culture and society. We will need to give what they require but we will also need to live out our faith, our relationship with God. At times, these two relationships are in tension even conflict, like in our own times and we are called to make choices. The choices are not always easy and often have consequences. The challenge is that we live in the world, but we are friends of God. Have a blessed, holy, safe, and healthy Tuesday everyone!
1 Comment
Mary E
6/2/2020 05:36:54 am
To be able to consciously believe that God works in His own time.
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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P. "Preacher on the Run"Just a few thoughts to help you on your journey through life...let me know from time to time what you think... Archives
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