18th Sunday after Pentecost (October 16, 2011)

Complete Homily Transcript:

IN the Gospel that you just heard—the “bad boys” were trying to “trap” Jesus. Actually, in the eyes of the society, they were presumed to be the brightest and the best. The Pharisees were people who observed all the traditional standards and rituals of Judaism. They tithed. They were compassionate at least to their “own.” They were moral. They were at the heart of “virtue” – in their own culture. They were the “best” church people – of their day. However, given--- that this Jesus associated with people who were obviously “evil doers”—tax collectors , prostitutes, adulterers and the like—and spoke of forgiveness to them greatly disturbed them. Jesus did other disturbing things- he healed people and allowed his disciples to pick corn on the Sabbath, and touched and blessed those who their faith said “not to touch.” A philosopher named Epictetus, two thousand years ago said: “Men are disturbed not by things that happen---but by their opinion of the things that happen.” However, the Pharisees turned to the despised the Herodians—who were politically powerful and who cooperated with the Roman occupation for assistance in dealing with this “rogue Jesus.” Both the Pharisees and the Herodians were intolerant and inflexible. They were both trying to “trap” Jesus. In both of these groups they were “nit pickers” of the first order. They argued over semantics, and rules of order.
It is precisely this “legalistic” mindset that these opponents of Jesus ministry and teaching used--- as they sought to “ruin” him in the eyes of all—and to entrap Jesus in what he said.
Like a good prosecuting attorney, they “butter up” their mark—Jesus saying: “Teacher we know that you are sincere and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth....” Then—they go for the jugular.The trap was simple and brilliant. If Jesus answers the question, “Is it right to pay taxes, to render tribute to Caesar?” with a YES, then the Pharisees had him for committing blasphemy. The ritual purity of “holiness laws” of the Pharisees forbade a Jew from touching Roman money. Roman coins had the image of Caesar on them. The Romans regarded Caesar as a god. So if Jesus paid tribute or taxes to Caesar, then he would be guilty of both idolatry AND blasphemy. If on the other hand, Jesus said NO, don’t render tribute of pay taxes to Caesar,” then the Herodians could turn him in to the Roman authorities as a “revolutionary.”
How did Jesus respond? Jesus “answered”—by NOT ANSWERING their question—instead asking for a coin and “turning the question around” and asking them, “whose image is on the coin?” They answer, “Caesar’s .” Jesus then says, “Render that which is Caesar’s to Caesar and to God that which is God’s.” There are many ways to “interpret” what Jesus said. However, we know how the Pharisees and Herodians reacted: we are told : “they were amazed, and left him and went away.”This suggests to us that there are some “ultimate citizenship issues.” IN the Scriptures Jesus makes many references to “The Kingdom of God.” WE all say that we believe it. IN the Creeds we use the phrase “whose kingdom will have no end.” Yet--- we have never “seen this kingdom.” Many contemporary theologians don’t even like the “image of kingdom.” They feel that it “doesn’t speiak to us” since most of us don’t live in monarchies. Some theologians like the “commonwealth of God;” others like “the realm of God.” But whatever term we prefer, there is a sense in us that somehow our “ultimate citizenship is not in this world.” While we get to vote, pay taxes, and enjoy the benefits of being a citizen of this nations, Jesus is calling us to our true, ultimate, and permanent citizenship. He makes that possible for us through his life, teaching, death, resurrections and continuing presence with us. He continues to speak to us--- through the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, and through the presence of His Holy Spirit in our lives---“nudging us” in this direction or that.Our “true citizenship” will be known at the “heavenly banquet.” The seating arrangements at the heavenly banquet are going to be “interesting.” It is quite possible that a French Huguenot Christian murdered in the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre will be seated next to a Roman Catholic Christian who may have been the murderer. It is quite possible that a Roman Catholic who was burned to death in England may be seated across the table from one of our Anglican Christian for bearers responsible for the burning. Or Bloody Mary – who briefly sat on the English throne may be seated next to the three English Bishops; Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer whom she had burned at the stake. Or perhaps Joseph Stalin, who was baptized and even went to theological seminary, may be at the banquet. Most of the soldiers who slaughtered each other in the Civil War were Christians. Most of the Russians, Germans, Austrian, Serbs, Italians, French, English, and North Americans were Christians—no doubt will be at the heavenly banquet. Those who were “not officially Christian”—we leave to the generous love of God’s grace and mercy--- expecting to see them as well. The “ticket” into the Heavenly Banquet is SALVATION, by grace, through faith. It is NOT connected to our “works,” either GOOD or BAD. It is a free gift from God. The “passport to heaven” is NOT something of this world. We receive it when accept the unmerited love from God through Jesus Christ. Everything belongs to God; but “the things of Caesar” are merely on loan. God is a GOD OF GRACE and not of LAW.
Amen

Isaiah 45: 1-7
Psalm 96 1-9
1 Thessalonians 1”1-10
Matthew 22:15-22