Br Jordan Albert

True religion has been imposed on us, whether we like it or not, by virtue of our existence. That identity and that vocation remain the same, no matter who is in charge of the country, whose face is on the money, or how much the culture supports what is right and good. If we can accept that vocation, following the complete and integral humanity of Jesus, we will become the saints that God intends for us to be.
—Fr Sam Keyes

Mystically, thus: we have a soul which is made to the image of God, and therefore we should render it to God; with regard to the things which we have from the world, we should have peace with the world. Even holy men, who are raised here above the world, since nevertheless they associate with others in the world, should seek the peace of Babylon.
—St Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on the Gospel of St Matthew

Friends,

While Peggy and I were on a trip last week, I was looking at local Anglican churches. One had a quote prominently displayed on their website: “[t]he baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for the purpose of cleansing from sin, but for the purpose of empowering for service.” Needless to say, we did not go there.

In today’s lesson, St Matthew recounts the well-known story of Jesus telling the Pharisees and Herodians to render unto Caesar. The quote on that church’s website falls (perhaps unintentionally!) into the trap that Jesus so deftly avoids. It is a trap that many of us often fall into today with our modern interpretation: religion is private, everything else is public.

But God is not just one being among many or simply floating above looking down—God influences and grounds all: “[a]ll things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

While it may involve rejecting the false dichotomy that culture tells us exists between our so-called private and public lives, we are called to be disciples in this world. That means in times of unfriendliness and friendliness, regardless of who is in charge. Managing that relationship will allow us to further the work that God has called us to do in His kingdom, realizing that we are not, never have been, and never will be, in full control. 

In Christ,

—Br Jordan