‘Thrift Store Saints’
Fifteen years ago, Jane Knuth, a math teacher and mom, began volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She approached the work with typical baby-boomer hard-charging determination to “fix the world” — but over the years, the experience changed her. The poor and desperate she has been able to help have deepened her own faith and brought her to a new understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.Rather than viewing society’s poor as problems to be solved, Jane and her colleagues see them each in a completely different light: as saints who can lead us straight to the heart of Christ. Jane Knuth writes:
“From all appearances, it looks as if we are running a thrift store at St. Vincent de Paul. At our meetings we frequently get into discussions about how to better run the store. Should we raise our prices? Give away less? Not accept so many donations? Lock our dumpster? Move to a better retail location? All these issues would come up with any resale shop. Eventually, it occurs to us that our purpose is not to run the most profitable, shrewd, efficient, riff-raff-free store in town. Our purpose is to help the poor and to change our way of thinking and being. It only looks as though we run a store. The store is just our cover . . .
“I still keep looking for the ‘deserving poor’ – the innocent ones who are blatant victims of injustice and hard luck. I want to help them and no one else. From what I can see, apart from children, most poor people’s situations seem to stem from a mixture of uncontrollable circumstances, luck, and their own decisions. Same as my situation. Do I deserve everything I have? Am I somehow more moral, smarter, or a harder worker than poor people? Sometimes I am, most times I’m not. Do poor people deserve their daily struggle for existence? Are they immoral, stupid, and lazy? Sometimes they are, most times they aren’t.”
God’s image of his human family is realized in the kindness and charity extended by a small thrift store. In today’s Gospel, Jesus articulates the Father’s vision for humanity: a “banquet” at which all are respected and honored for who they are and the goodness they bring to the king’s table, be it the “table” of the classroom, the clinic, the playground, the home. If we are to be truly faithful to God’s vision, the compassion of God must transform our heart’s perspective, enabling us to see beyond ethnic stereotypes, economic distinctions, class and celebrity, to recognize every man, woman and child as made in the same image and likeness of God in which we were all created; we must be willing both to give joyfully what we have and to accept humbly what others bring to the table. God’s “banquet” is only realized when we embrace a radically new vision of humanity, a perspective that ignores suspicions, doubts and stereotypes and, instead, recognizes everyone, first, as a child of God, worthy of respect, love and compassion.
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1) “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” Perhaps we can illustrate all this with one case, that of St. Thomas More, the English martyr who was councillor to King Henry VIII and Lord High Chancellor of England. Robert Bolt dramatized More’s conflict – regarding what is Caesar’s and what is God’s – in the drama, A Man for All Seasons. Recall the story. King Henry VIII of England was, by Papal dispensation, validly married to Catherine of Aragon, his elder brother’s widow. Seeking a male heir and attracted to Anne Boelyn, Henry appealed to Rome again to have his marriage to Catherine annulled – which would mean that the Papal dispensation had been sinful! Rome refused. Henry took matters into his own hands, declared himself Head of the Church in England and “married” Anne. He then ordered his friends and officials to sign a document declaring that they agreed he had acted rightly in the matter. Many of More’s friends signed, but More refused. Henry demanded that he sign or face arrest, trial for treason, and execution by the state. More refused: he knew he had two obligations, one to God and one to his country. When they conflicted, More knew he had no choice but to remain faithful to his obligation to God. On his way to public execution in 1534, More encouraged the people to remain steadfast in the Faith. His last recorded words were: “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” Today’s Gospel reminds us of our dual citizenship. We are citizens of the world and citizens of Heaven. We have an allegiance and an obligation to each. We hope the obligations will never clash. But if they ever do, we must resolve them as Thomas More did, without compromise to our God or to our conscience. (Mark Link in Sunday Homilies; quoted by Fr. Botelho).(Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
2) Caesar and God: In his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy, the newly-elected President of the United States, gave the famous challenge: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking God’s blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.” If we personalized Kennedy’s statement it would read, “Don’t ask, ‘What can my country do for me?’ Instead ask, ‘What can I do for my country?’” And add, “Don’t ask, ‘What can God do for me?’ Instead ask, ‘What can I do for God?’” Today’s Gospel lesson gives the correct answer. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
3) Honesty and Trigonometry: Dr. Madison Sarratt taught Mathematics at Vanderbilt University for many years. Before giving a test, the professor would admonish his class, “Today I am giving two examinations—one in trigonometry and the other in honesty. I hope you will pass them both, fulfilling your obligations to your teacher and to your God. If you fail, fail for trigonometry. There are many good people in the world who can’t pass trigonometry, but there are not many people in the world who cannot pass the examination of honesty, the debt we owe to God.” This piece of advice sounds like what Jesus said in today’s Gospel: “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar — and to God what belongs to God.” (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
1) No dues to God: A prosperous farmer was miserly in what he gave to his Church. So, his pastor went to visit him with the hope of getting him to increase his donation. The pastor pointed out to him that the Lord had given him a fertile piece of land and had blessed him with sunshine and rain so that his crops would grow. The priest added, “You know, this farm and everything you have is really on loan to you from God. You should be more grateful.” The farmer replied, “I don’t mean to complain, Father, but you should have seen what a mess this place was when God was running it by Himself!”
2) Journey to God with a parcel of Caesar: There once was a wealthy man who was determined to take his wealth with him when he died. He prayed and prayed until he convinced the Lord to let him bring his wealth inside the Pearly Gates. There was one condition: He could only bring one suitcase of his wealth with him. Therefore, the rich man filled his suitcase with gold bullion. Then one day, he died. St. Peter greeted him at the gate and told him he could come in, but his suitcase would have to be left behind. “But I have an agreement with God,” said the man, “to bring one suitcase into heaven.” “That’s very unusual,” replied St. Peter. “Let me look inside that suitcase.” The man opened the suitcase to reveal the shining gold bullion. St. Peter was amazed. He asked, “Why in the world did you bring more paving stones to heaven when we have already finished Heaven’s flooring with pure gold and beautiful diamonds?”
3) Remember the movie, “Oh, God!” with George Burns? In that movie, the idea was mentioned that the reason God gave Adam and Eve no clothes to wear was because God knew that once they had clothes, they would want pockets. Once they had pockets, they would want money.
4) “Will the Reverend also have a martini?” A pious pastor who had been a teetotaler all his life, was invited to dinner by a new parishioner. “Would you gentlemen care for a drink?” the waiter asked. “I’ll have a Martini,” said the parishioner. “Will the Reverend also have a martini?” the waiter asked. “I’d sooner break all Ten Commandments,” said the pastor. “I didn’t know we had a choice,” said the parishioner. In today’s Gospel Lesson, the Pharisees ask Jesus a question involving choice.
1) Value of one vote: We have all learned the value of our vote. It’s a lesson we need to be taught again and again. Look at history: One vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of all England in 1645. One vote in the Rump Parliament caused King Charles I of England to be executed in 1649. Had it not been for one vote in 1776, the official language in the United States would be German instead of English. One vote kept Aaron Burr – later charged with treason – from becoming President (1800). Had it not been for one vote in 1845, the state of Texas would not have become part of the United States. One vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment (1868). One vote admitted California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho into the Union. (1850, 1850, 1889, 1890). One vote changed the entire nation of France from a monarchy to a republic in 1875. One vote elected Rutherford B. Hayes to the Presidency, and the man in the Electoral College who cast that vote was an Indiana Representative also elected by one vote (1876). It was by one vote that in 1923 Adolph Hitler became the leader of the Nazi party, an event which later resulted in the slaughter of six million Jews. Had it not been for one vote, World War II with all its pain and death might never have taken place. One vote maintained the Selective Service System only 12 weeks before Pearl Harbor (1941). One vote per precinct would have elected Richard Nixon, rather than John Kennedy, President (1960). One vote by Al Gore in 1993 approved the largest tax increase in U.S. history. These events clearly show that our exercise of the right to vote can make a tremendous difference. When we use our right to vote we are giving our dues to Caesar as Jesus commanded. “I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” (Edward Everett Hale). That should be the attitude of every Christian citizen. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
2) True Integrity: the dues we owe to God and our country. Mr. Cleveland Stroud had coached the basketball team, the Blue-Collar Bulldogs, of Rockdale County High School (Conyers, Georgia, U.S.A.), for 18 years before his team made it to the state championship. Stroud recalls, “It was the perfect night when they won, a night you dream of.” He was carried around the gym on the shoulders of his triumphant players and their proud parents. The local paper put his picture on the front page. But the excitement was short-lived. Two months after the championship, during a routine grade check, Stroud discovered that one player had been academically ineligible. The player had only played 45 seconds during the regional qualifying tournament, and he wasn’t an important player. Stroud says, “I thought it was all ruined. I went through a phase where I was really depressed.” He struggled with what to do next. Yet, his commitment to integrity led him to the right decision. “Winning is the most important thing for any coach,” he says, “but your principles have to be higher than your goals.” He reported the error to the league and the Bulldogs forfeited their trophy. When the team lamented their loss in the locker room, he told them, “You’ve got to do what is honest, what is right, and what the rules say. That’s how we pay to God what’s His. People forget the scores of basketball games, but they don’t ever forget what you are made of” (In Touch Magazine, January 1999). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
3) “Large-scale gangs of criminals!” St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Church patriarch, was the Church’s greatest theologian in the tradition of justice. In both his Confessions and The City of God, the theme of justice is a recurring one. While he denied that social justice was necessary simply to maintain order, Augustine, the expert rhetorician, also wryly noted, in words that have become famous, “Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but large-scale gangs of criminals!” In his commentary on today’s Gospel text, Augustine immediately focuses on the real point of Jesus’ words “giving to God what is God’s.” Augustine insists that when we truly succeed in “giving to God what is God’s,” we are, in his words, “doing justice to God.” Doing justice to God requires that we return to God, with dividends, that which God has entrusted to us. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
4) “Caesar died a long time ago.” A father was trying to teach his fifth-grade son the value of tithes and offerings. The boy listened attentively, and then he went on to say, “I still don’t understand why you have to pay taxes.” To this the father replied, “Because the Bible says we must give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and unto God what belongs to God.” His son looked puzzled. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Dad. Caesar died a long time ago.” (Rev. Jeff Hughes).
5) Luciano Pavarotti says that when he was a boy, his father, a baker, introduced him to the wonders of song. He urged him to work hard to develop his voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in his hometown of Modena, Italy, took him as a pupil. Pavarotti also enrolled in a Teachers College. On graduating, he asked his father, “Shall I be a teacher or a singer?” “Luciano,” his father replied, “if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.” Pavarotti, later in life wrote: “I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book–whatever we choose–we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.” (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
6) “Do you go to Church every Sunday?” A young lady was soaking up the sun’s rays on a Florida beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, “Do you believe in God?” She was surprised by the question, but she replied, “Why, yes, I do.” Then he asked her: “Do you go to Church every Sunday?” Again, her answer was “Yes!” He then asked: “Do you read your Bible and pray every day?” Again, she said, “Yes!” By now her curiosity was very much aroused. The little lad sighed with relief and said, “Will you hold my quarter while I go in swimming?” The little boy was straightforward and honest in his questions because he wanted to entrust to the lady something valuable. The Pharisees are not being honest. They have no intention of entrusting anything to Jesus. They are not looking for the answer to a question. They don’t want someone to hold their quarter. They are looking for a way to get rid of this trouble-making Nazarene named Jesus. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
7) “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” Some years ago in a U.S. District Court, I had the privilege of participating in a naturalization ceremony. Some sixty foreign-born persons were ready to take their citizenship vows. Every place on earth was represented. They reminded me of that old Coca-Cola commercial, “I want to teach the world to sing.” These sixty folks had waited five years for this day. They had learned the language, studied the nation’s laws, and passed a test and a security check. Behind them sat several hundred proud relatives with cameras. An Army color guard marched in with the flag. Then a soloist sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. The guest speaker was himself a naturalized citizen. Today he is a vice-president of a bank. His very presence spoke volumes about the American dream. Finally, the new citizens stood to take their vows. But before they could do so, they first had to renounce their previous citizenship, whatever it was. Then all together, with tears flowing down their cheeks, they declared, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” I want to declare to you today that we Christians hold dual citizenship. Simultaneously, we are citizens of America and also citizens of the Kingdom of God. (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
8) “We are ‘one nation under God.’” Not long ago in Blackwood, New Jersey, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the senior class could not have a non-sectarian prayer at commencement. The senior class had voted to offer this prayer: “Please bless us in the future and thank you for the blessings of the past. God keep a watchful eye on us in the future. Amen.” The court backed the ACLU’s contention that the prayer was unconstitutional. But surely our constitution’s authors did not mean to prohibit 17- and 18-year-olds from saying such a prayer if they elected to do so. The principal of that high school did have the last word. At the end of his commencement speech he declared, “God bless you and God bless the United States of America!” Immediately the students jumped to their feet and applauded. We are not “one nation without a God.” We are not “one nation afraid to name its God.” We are “one nation under God.” (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
9) We have something as Christians to render to God as well as something to render to Caesar! American heritage is full of Christian influence. When the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620, they paused to write the Mayflower Compact, the first law of American shores. It reads in part: “In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten … having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith … a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia….” George Washington, in his first presidential inauguration, added to his oath, “So help me God” and then kissed the Bible. (It is disputed if George Washington added the words “So help me God” to the oath or somebody else). Ben Franklin, in 1778 at the Constitutional Convention, made motion that proceedings each day be opened with prayer. He said, “I have lived for a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured by the Holy Scriptures that ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain to build it.’ I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall proceed in this political building no better than the founders of Babel.” Every Presidential inaugural speech, save one, has mentioned God. Our coins have In God We Trust on them. The Ten Commandments are mostly still in our law books, forbidding theft, lying, murder, and such. Congress is still opened with prayer. George Washington, in his farewell address, said: “The truth is, politics and morality are inseparable. As morality’s foundation is religion, religion and politics are necessarily related.” So, you see, politics and religion can and have mixed in our nation’s past. Fact is, as Jesus did say, we have something as Christians to render to God as well as something to render to Caesar! (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
10) Things we owe to God? (Give to God what is God’s): Our gifts to God are a response to a gift. This means that we give out of gratitude for what God has already done on our behalf and not in order to get something back, nor because we hope to receive special favor in return. But there are some Churches that foster the idea that if we give a lot to the Church, then God will make us prosperous in our lives. In order to see how ludicrous such theology is, all we have to do is look at what happened to Christ’s disciples who gave themselves fully to his cause. Matthew suffered martyrdom by the sword in Ethiopia. Mark died at Alexandria after being dragged through the streets of that city. Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece. Peter was crucified at Rome with, at his own request, his head downward. James was beheaded at Jerusalem. James the Lesser was thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple and beaten to death below. Philip was hanged against a pillar in Phrygia. Bartholomew was flayed alive. Andrew was bound to a cross, from whence he preached to his persecutors until he died. Thomas was stabbed to death by Hindu fanatics in Madras, India. Jude was shot to death with arrows. Matthias was first stoned and then beheaded. Barnabas was stoned to death at Salonica. John, leading the Church in Ephesus, was arrested during the reign of Diocletian, and was condemned. He was plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil from which he miraculously emerged unhurt. He was then banished to the island of Patmos. In his oldest age, he was set free, returned to Ephesus and died peacefully in his sleep. His whole life was his gift to God. (“How did John the apostle die?” www/gotquestions.org). Yet, every one of them considered his sufferings and death a privilege! (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
11) The Christian and Politics: Christians should not shirk public office, but see it as a chance to serve their fellow men and women and thereby God. The Pharisees opted out of real life and kept themselves apart. The result was a vain religiosity which had little or nothing to do with daily life. Dag Hammarskjöld was Secretary General of the UN. When he died in a plane crash in central Africa in 1961 at the age of fifty-six, the world lost a great servant of peace. He was that rare person for whom public service is not simply a career or a means of achieving power but a religious vocation, a way of being faithful to God. He drew inspiration from the Old Testament prophets. He said, “Indifference to evil is worse, than evil itself, and in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.’ Gandhi is another example of a deeply religious man who involved himself in politics. He said, “I’m in politics because I cannot separate life from belief. Because I believe in God, I have to enter politics. Politics is my service of God.” And Nelson Mandela is yet another example. Mandela tells how when he began to get interested in politics a friend tried to warm him off, saying, “Politics brings out the worst in people. It is the source of trouble and corruption and should be avoided at all costs.” Fortunately for South Africa and for the world, Mandela ignored his advice. (Flor McCarthy in New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
12) Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s: There is a story about a minister who in the early part of the last century was asked to give the Memorial Day address at the national cemetery in Gettysburg, PA. Like most of the speakers in previous years, he felt a need to conclude his talk by reciting Lincoln’s famous address. The minister thought that the speech had gone well, but afterwards an old man came forward and said to him, “Son, you’ve made an awful mess of Lincoln’s speech.” Taken aback the minister said, “How so? I didn’t miss a word. Look, here are my notes.” “Oh, I don’t need your notes,” said the man, “I know it by heart. You see I heard it the first time around.” The minister then realized that this man had been present when Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. So the minister asked, “How did my recitation differ from that of the great President?” The old man said, “Abe put his hands out over the people like a benediction and said, ‘That the government of the people, by the people and for the people, should not perish from the earth.’ You got the words right,” the old man said, “but you got the emphasis wrong and you missed the message. You emphasized government. Lincoln talked about people.” When government seeks to provide for the just welfare of its citizens, it is doing the work of God. (Fr. Joseph Pellegrino). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
13) “I love my country but there is a higher authority, God!” Franz Jaggerstatter was born in Austria and was brought up a Catholic. He was an ordinary, unremarkable young man; however, at some stage he suddenly matured. He became very responsible and began to take religion seriously. By this time the Second World War was raging. At thirty-six he was called up to serve Hitler’s army. He refused to join up. “I cannot join because I believe that this war is not a just war. Therefore, it would be wrong for me to join up. It would be against my conscience.” He said. “But where’s your loyalty to your people, to your country, to your flag?” his friends protested.“ Franz replied, “I love my people and I love my country. But there’s a higher law–God’s law. And God’s law tells me that this war is wrong.” It wasn’t that he wanted to die. He had a lot to live for — his family and friends. He was arrested and put into prison. Then further efforts were made to get him to change his mind. Even his wife begged him to reconsider his decision, to no avail. Franz was beheaded on August 9, 1943. He felt he was obeying the words of Christ: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Flor McCarthy in New Sunday & Holy day Liturgies; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
14) “Is Pat Murray on board?” We all laugh at the reputed story of Pat Murray at the Battle of Trafalgar. His version of the Battle was as follows: “Lord Nelson came on deck and said ‘Is Pat Murray on board?’ And I said, ‘Here I am, me Lord.’ Then said his lordship, ‘Let the battle proceed.’ And yet, while this was written for a joke, there is more to it than we are apt to think. For had it not been for the Pat Murrays, or John Joneses or Tom Smiths and others who were on hand doing their duty, there would have been no victories for the Nelsons, Wellingtons, Napoleons or Grants, who now live in history as great commanders. When Christians properly discharge their dues to God and to their government, the country and God’s cause prosper. (A.W. Graham in More Quotes and Anecdotes; quoted by Fr. Botelho).
15) Spiritual Foundations: The Great Wall of China was a gigantic structure, costing immense expenditure and labour, and when finished it seemed a superb way to gain security; but within a few years of its building it was breached three times by the enemy. Only note — it was breached, not by breaking down the wall but by bribing the gatekeepers! It was the human element that failed; what collapsed was character, proving insufficient to do the task neecessary to make the great structure men had built really work. A like fate awaits all those who, absorbed in political tasks, forget the spiritual foundation. (Quoted by Fr. Botelho). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
16) Give back to God…Theologian Jon Sobrino published a book Spirituality of Liberation: Towards Political Holiness. A political holiness is what the Church badly needs. I sense that we have too much of “Church Politics” and too little of a “political Church.” There’s politicking present in demands for ecclesiastical appointments, but hardly any interest in burning issues facing society and the Church. The current issue of granting concessions to Dalit-Christians (former untouchables) in India is significant. Is this a political or a religious question? I frame the question differently: “Is there anything which is not political? Or anything which is not religious?” Evidently, everything belongs to God. Let us give back to God even what belongs to Caesar. (Francis Gonsalves in Sunday Seeds for Gospel Deeds; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
17) Separation of Church and state: “One nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. A Ten Commandments monument in a local courthouse. A Manger Scene on the town common. “In God we trust on our currency.” What do you think of when you hear those things? For millions of Americans it’s the following: “YOU CAN’T DO THAT! THAT’S A VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE! But is it? Is that true? Is it really unconstitutional to pray or hand out Bibles in school? Is it really wrong for politicians to form their views based on their Faith? Is it wrong for the state to give Churches “Tax Exempt Status”? Let me get straight to the point and say NO! No, it’s not wrong, no it’s NOT unconstitutional, No, this is NOT a violation of the separation of Church and State! But what about all those who say “YES? Yes, it is wrong, yes, it is unconstitutional and yes, it is a violation!” Three statements to remember: 1) Separation of Church and State does not mean that the Church must stay out of the affairs of government and public life IT MEANS THAT THE STATE IS TO STAY OUT OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH! 2) Those who tell you otherwise are either blatantly dishonest or they simply do not know, understand or care about the history of the United States of America! 3) This is an organized attempt primarily being carried out by those who have contempt for Christ, hate the Bible, and despise the influence the Church has had on Western Culture, and they are literally willing to rewrite history in order to demonize the Christian Church. That being said, we can close early, and all go home! I mean, what else is there to say? No, this morning we are going to look at what America has believed traditionally, and we will also take a look at what the Scriptures say about the role of the Church and government. (Rev. Michael Grant). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
18) Tax Day, it is also the day the Titanic was sunk and the day Lincoln was shot. It’s still a long time until April 15th, and I don’t mean to remind you of that prematurely, but did you know that April 15th is not only Income Tax Day? It is also the day the Titanic was sunk, and the day Lincoln was shot. You see, it is just a bad day all the way around! Someone said once, “You may not agree with every department of the government, but you really have to hand it to the IRS.” Another cynic has said, “Death and taxes may always be with us, but at least death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” Arthur Godfrey once said, “I feel honored to pay taxes in America. The thing is, I could probably feel just as honored for about half the price.” Someone also once said that the Eiffel Tower is the Empire State Building after taxes. Most people don’t enjoy paying taxes. We just do it. Well, the people had to pay taxes in Jesus’ time, too. Even worse, they had to pay them to a government they despised — Rome. Today’s Gospel is about our duties to God and our nation. (Rev. Edward F. Markquart). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
19) Rockefeller started giving to God His due and lived: That was a lesson learned by John D. Rockefeller, Sr. He drove himself hard to be a success. He became a millionaire by this age of twenty-three and by the age of fifty was the richest man on earth. Then at fifty-three years of age, Rockefeller developed a serious illness which caused the hair on his head, his eyebrows, and eyelashes to drop off. Even though he was the world’s only billionaire and could have almost anything on earth he wanted, he could only digest milk and crackers. He became shrunken like a mummy. He could not sleep, would not smile, and nothing in life meant much to him at all. Doctors predicted that within a year he would be dead. One night, however, as Rockefeller struggled to fall asleep, he came to grips with his life. He realized that he could take nothing with him into the next world. The next day he embarked on a new way of living. Rather than hoarding his money and possessions, he began to give them away to persons in need. Establishing the Rockefeller Foundation, he channeled his fortune into hospitals, research, and mission work. His contributions eventually led to the discovery of penicillin as well as cures for malaria, tuberculosis, and diphtheria. At age 53, Rockefeller was given a year to live. By learning to live by the principle of giving rather than getting, he altered his life so dramatically that he eventually lived to the ripe old age of ninety-eight. (Rev. Edward F. Markquart). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
20) “To God What Is God’s:: St. Justin, a layman who died a martyr around the year 165, was born of Greek parents in Palestine, and was a philosopher by profession. His search for truth brought him into Christianity; and after his conversion he staunchly defended the Faith in speech, in writings and finally in blood. During a period of persecution, Justin, who had come to Rome, was arrested as a Christian along with several other believers. The prefect, Rusticus, after some initial questions, said to the Christians: “Let us come to the point … Agree together to offer sacrifice to the gods.” Justin the philosopher replied with dignity, “No one of sound mind turns from piety to impiety.” Rusticus warned: “If you do not obey, you will be punished without mercy.” Justin said, “We are confident that if we suffer the penalty for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved…” His companions concurred: “Do what you will. We are Christians, and we do not offer sacrifice to idols.” So Rusticus pronounced judgment: “Those who have refused to offer sacrifice and yield to the emperor’s edict are to be led away to be scourged and beheaded in accordance with the laws.” Justin and his companions not only accepted the sentence, they thanked God for it. “… Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s but give to God what is God’s.” (Matthew, 22:21. Gospel of the day). (Father Robert F. McNamara).(Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
21) Restoring the rights of God: The Rosary Saves Brazil from Communism, 1962-1964: The world was in a state of fear and confusion. Russia was trying to make headway in converting as many countries as possible to Communism under their rule. Impoverished nations with corrupt governments in turmoil were easy targets. Cuba had just fallen to the Soviets in 1960, and Brazil was another planned conquest. The president of Brazil, Joao Goulart, was pushing for a Communist form of government. He began to install known Communists into high governmental positions while at the same time dispatching representatives to convince the citizens that Communism was good for the country. With Catholicism still strong in the country, Cardinal de Barros Camara told people through a weekly radio address that by following the directives of Our Lady of Fatima regarding prayer and penance, Brazil could overthrow the Communist threat. In a speech, President Goulart mocked the rosary, saying that governmental control, not reciting the prayers of the rosary, would save the economy from collapse. During this time, he was lining his pockets with dollars given to Brazil in foreign aid from the U.S. and other countries.
A Brazilian woman named Dona Amelia Bastos was very concerned about this imminent danger. Her husband belonged to a group of men called the Anti-Reds who were opposed to Communism in Brazil. One-night Dona Amelia listened as the Anti-Reds discussed the threat facing their beloved country. She decided that she too could do something about it. Of her decision, she said, “I suddenly decided that politics had become too important to be left entirely to the men. Moreover, who has more at stake in what’s happening to our country than we women?” She immediately formed a group called Campaign of Women for Democracy (CAMDE) and started to recruit as many people as possible to pray the rosary in large groups to thwart the plan for Communist takeover. In a town called Belo Horizonte a group of 20,000 women reciting the rosary aloud broke up a pro-Communist rally. The success of this peaceful protest fed the impetus for the Catholic women to do more. With the help of Heaven and the strong influence of Archbishop Cardinal de Barros Camara, Dona Amelia recruited an amazing 600,000 women who marched in Sao Paulo to pray the rosary for peace. They called their protest, “March of the Family with God Toward Freedom.” under the declaration, “Mother of God, preserve us from the fate and suffering of the martyred women of Cuba, Poland, Hungary, and other enslaved nations.” Leone Brizola, a Communist high government official, left in a rage when his planned speech was thwarted by the rattling of 3000 rosaries and the murmuring of the prayers in the assembly hall. Not one life was lost in this most amazing peaceful anti-Communist protest, which is described by many witnesses as, “One of the most moving demonstrations in Brazilian History.” Many more rosary rallies were held in major cities in spite of threats of military action against the crusading women. Under this mounting pressure, on April 1, 1964 President Goulart fled the country along with many members of the government. Pray the rosary to protect our country from falling to corruption! (Lectio Divina). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
22) How a Christian in today’s world can render to God the homage of truth. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard: “Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, “Woe to those who call evil good”, but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!” The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In six short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea. Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, “The Rest of the Story” and received a larger response to this program than any other he has aired. With the Lord’s help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called “one nation under God.” (Lectio Divina). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/)
23) “Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand.” In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at the 6-year-old son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible! The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son’s dream to come true. She took her son’s hand and asked, “Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grow up? Did you ever dream and wish what would you do with your life?”
“Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grow up.” Mom smiled back and said, “Let’s see if we can make your wish come true.” Later that day she went to her local Fire Department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son’s final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, “Look, we can do better than that. If you have your son ready at seven o’clock Wednesday morning, we will make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you give us his sizes, we can get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat – not a toy – one with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They’re all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast.” Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic’s van and even the fire chief’s car. He was also videotaped for the local news program.
Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, “We can do better than that. We will be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It is the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?” About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy’s third floor open window — 16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy’s room! With his mother’s permission they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, “Chief, am I really a fireman now?” “Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand”, the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, “I know. He’s been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.” He closed his eyes one last time. (Lectio Divina). (Fr. Tony) (http://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/20
4. From Sermons.com
a. A little lad with
a quarter
A young lady was soaking up the sun's rays on a Florida
beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to
her and asked her, "Do you believe in God?" She was surprised by the
question but she replied, "Why, yes, I do." Then he asked her:
"Do you go to church every Sunday?" Again, her answer was
"Yes!" He then asked: "Do you read your Bible and pray every
day?" Again she said, "Yes!" By now her curiosity was very much
aroused. The little lad sighed with relief and said, "Will you hold my
quarter while I go in swimming?"
The little boy was straightforward and honest in his
questions because he wanted to entrust to the lady something valuable. The
Pharisees are not being honest. They have no intent in entrusting Jesus with
anything. They are not looking for the answer to a question. They don't want
someone to hold their quarter. They are looking for a way to get rid of this
trouble making Nazarene named Jesus.
The Pharisees were so angry it blinded them. Think for a
moment about the ironies here: We know, because we live on this side of the
resurrection, that Jesus was God. They thought he was demonic, an agent of
Satan. We know that Jesus is the King of kings. They thought he wanted to be
the King of Israel. We know that he was the Son of God. They thought he was
simply Joseph and Mary's son. We know that Jesus has influenced the world for
2000 years. They thought his influence would end at the cross.
It's a fascinating story. We look at the Pharisees and we
shake our heads...
It is not that we are intentionally standoffish and skittish
when presented with a new face. It is more about the unconscious gurgling up of
the instinctual "fight-flight-freeze-fawn" response all of us
possess. Whether we experience a "first impression" as engaging or
annoying, easy-going or energetic, kind-hearted or kind of weird, we default to
a "fight-flight-freeze-fawn" mode. We decide whether this encounter
is something we choose to face, outface, redface, or, whether we suddenly feel
the call of a cup of coffee from across the room.
Things like books as well as people make "first
impressions" too. The "first impression" made by the New
Testament is, frankly, not all that great. Understandably the gospels come
first, and the first gospel we read is Matthew. The first seventeen verses of
his opening chapter, his "first impression," is an endless list of
everlasting "begats." Matthew had good theological reasons for
opening with a genealogy, but for most of us it is a bit like being forced to
watch a video of someone else's family reunion, or walking into a room where
everyone is hugging and kissing and you know no-one.
But if the New Testament were arranged chronologically, the
first "book," the first written communication, would be Paul's first
letter to the Thessalonians, dated around 45 CE. Can you imagine what a
different New Testament it would be if the books were in their chronological
order of being written, rather than the biographical account of Jesus'
life?
First Thessalonians is the "first impression" of
the written testimony of the apostle Paul, whose writings predate those of the
gospels...
b. We Are Citizens of
This World
In an invocation prayer at the United States Senate, Peter
Marshall said, "Lord Jesus, Thou who art the way, the truth, and the life,
hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make men free. Teach us that
liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious a
thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Make us to see
that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to
please to do what is right."
It is unthinkable that a Christian would not vote! It is
unthinkable that Christians would not run for public office! It is unthinkable
that Christians would withdraw from the responsibility of taking part in public
life. The Christian has a responsibility to Caesar for all the privileges which
the rule of Caesar brings. We are citizens of this world and must be good ones,
if we are Christ's disciples.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger, When Christians Quarrel, CSS
Publishing Co., Inc.
c. Only One Top
Priority
I have heard it argued from both pulpit and pew that Jesus'
words "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's" mean
that a Christian is duty-bound to love America, right or wrong. I'm sorry, but
I cannot agree with that. One Christian writer has said, "The greatest
service Christians can render to their country is to become actively concerned
about the destiny of the church."
I have also heard it argued that "Give to the emperor the things that are
the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's" implies a strict
separation of church and state, that Jesus is dividing life into two separate
and distinct parts - a spiritual part and a secular, or worldly, part.
Dedicated and committed Christians have been arguing for this separation for centuries,
and we probably won't settle the issue once and for all today. Their argument
has been that with these words Jesus is telling us to obey God in the spiritual
realm and to obey the government in everything else. Now, that's a nice, neat
little division, and it solves many difficult problems. Politics is politics
and religion is religion and never the twain shall meet. Let the church take
care of its own business and keep their noses out of social and political
issues. That would be fine if it worked. You and I both know that it doesn't.
Yes, there are obligations we have to the governing authorities, such as paying
taxes, exercising our right to vote, and obeying civil laws. But as followers
of Jesus Christ, our ultimate obligation is to "seek first the kingdom of
God," and all other obligations have to have a lower priority. There can
only be one top priority.
Johnny Dean, Another Tricky Question
d. Torn Apart by
Legions of Loyalties
No one seriously denies that we all have legions of loyalties.
Sometimes there are too many for our own good. I remember watching a film a few
years ago in which a scene opened to show two puppeteers arguing over who would
control the strings tied to a marionette on the stage below them. As they
argued, one tried to wrest the strings from the other. The result was
predictable. The puppet was pulled and thrown this way and that across the
stage, as first one puppeteer and then the other pulled the string to an arm or
leg, hand or foot.
Our many loyalties and commitments can do the same to us. We
may feel that the strings of power and persuasion tied to us need only be
tugged a bit, and then we have to move as they direct. The company we work for,
the government we live under, the family we belong to, the possessions we own
(more so, the one's we're still paying for) - all these things exercise varying
degrees of control over our lives. To a large extent they determine how we
spend our time, our money, our energy, our being. It isn't rare at all these
days for people to be pulled in so many different directions that they jump and
jerk across the stage of life, often feeling helplessly out of control.
Our problem is that there are too many Caesars before which
we stand accountable. It's impossible to please them all. Rendering to Caesar
what is Caesar's is more than some folk feel they can handle.
D. Wayne Burkette, Life in Heaven's Kingdom, CSS Publishing Company
e. What We the People
Demand
President James Garfield's words from 1877 still ring true.
"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character
of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is
because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be
intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high
qualities to represent them in the national legislature ... if the next
centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who
represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not
aid in controlling the political forces."
Stephen M. Crotts / George L. Murphy / Stan Purdum, Sermons
for Sundays: After Pentecost (Last Third): Rendering to God, CSS Publishing
Company, Inc.
f. Committing
to Christ: Tony Campolo, the Philadelphia sociologist, found himself seated
beside the Pennsylvania governor at a state prayer breakfast. In the course of
conversation the governor said that he was sympathetic toward Christianity but
not personally committed. Campolo asked, "Why not?" The governor
replied, "Well, to tell you the truth, no one ever invited me to
commit." Campolo said, "I'm inviting you." within five minutes
that governor had committed his life to Christ.
We have good news that is essential to every human being;
it's a matter of their eternal life or death. We may be the only conduits God
has to certain persons. We must help him reach them. Bill Bouknight, Collected
Sermons, www.Sermons.com
"I have held many things in my hand, and have lost them
all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands that I still
possess." Martin Luther
g. Historical
Background Information: Paying Caesar
The poll tax mentioned in this passage was levied by the
Romans against the Jews beginning in A.D. 6 when Judea became a Roman province.
When imposed for the first time, it provoked the rebellion of Judas the
Galilean recorded in Acts 5:37 and discussed in more detail below. The
Herodians favored the tax, but the Zealots, Pharisees, and people resented it.
The Pharisees and the Herodians, though common adversaries in New Testament
times on the very issue of rendering obedience and taxes to the Roman Empire,
found themselves in common alliance in this instance to trap Christ in His
words, trying to impale him on the horns of a serious dilemma. Should the
authority of Caesar be recognized and the poll tax be paid to him? If Christ
were to have affirmed payment of the poll tax to Caesar, he would no doubt have
pleased the Herodians but would have made Himself an even greater enemy of the
Pharisees and an enemy of the people who shared popular resentment to the poll
tax as an unlawful imposition by a heathen government. If, by contrast, Christ
were to have denied that the poll tax be paid, he would have made Himself out
to be an enemy of the state and possibly, subject Himself to the charge of
sedition.
David G. Hagopian, Render to All What Is Due Them: What
Every Christian Needs to Know about Honoring Civil Authority and Paying Taxes,
Part 2. Extracted from Ordained Servant vol. 4, no. 4.
h. It Depends On What Is Important to You
Two friends were walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It
was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars
were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were
wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, one of
them said, "What an interesting place to hear a cricket."
His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't
possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"
"No, I'm sure of it," his friend said, "I
heard a cricket."
"That's crazy," said his friend.
The man, who thought he had heard a cricket, listened
carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement
planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the
branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly
amazed.
"That's incredible," said his friend. "You
must have superhuman ears!"
"No," said the man who heard the cricket. "My
ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."
"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I
could never hear a cricket in this noise."
"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends
on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly
dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street
still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn
and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.
"See what I mean?" asked the man who heard the
cricket. "It all depends on what's important to you."
In the end the Pharisees heard from Jesus what they were
listening for. Keenan Kelsey, Making Choices
Let me ask you a few questions that I am sure you can
answer:
Did you put on shoes this morning, or did you come to church
in a car?
Do you eat cereal for breakfast, or don't you like football?
Are you Lutheran, or do you live in America?
Will you obey God, or will you pay taxes to Caesar?
Welcome to the world of false dichotomies-thing that are wrongly set against each other, "either/or"s that really aren't. Can you wear shoes and come to church in a car? Can you eat cereal and enjoy football? Can you be Lutheran and live in America?...
