Divided Loyalties
October 19, 2008
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21
In today’s gospel, some people question Jesus about divided loyalties. They are disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians – who are cronies of King Herod. It is interesting that the Pharisees did not confront Jesus themselves. They sent some young followers – perhaps students. The old men did not want to risk their reputations - so they sent young men with no reputations to risk.
They approach Jesus and attempt to butter him up. “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status.” There is a phrase to describe this type of false flattery – but I cannot use it. Then, they ask a loaded question, “Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
What a set-up! It is like asking, “When did you stop beating your wife?” Any answer will get Jesus in trouble. If he says it is lawful to pay the tax, people may think he is conspiring with the Romans. If he says do not pay the tax the Romans could arrest him for sedition.
The question – and the answer - is about more than taxes - and more than the separation of church and state. Jesus addresses the challenge of divided loyalties – not only in regard to choices between government and God – but in the many ways in which divided loyalties pull us in one direction, and then another.
Jesus knows who his questioners are and what they are up to. He knows they are out to trap him and he calls them hypocrites – one of his favorite derogatory terms. He then takes a coin bearing the image of Caesar and says, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
In effect he is saying, “Give the coin to Caesar – it has his name and portrait on it and is issued by his authority. He is entitled to have what is his.” More importantly, the true king – God - is also entitled to his property – to what bears his image.
What is that bears the image and likeness of God? You and I do. We bear the divine image just as much as the Roman coin bore the profile and name of the emperor. The coins in our pockets may ultimately belong to Caesar - but you and I belong only to God.
Jesus is not pulling any punches here - he is very clear. We are expected to give ourselves to God – not once – not once a week – but always. Giving ourselves to God should be the distinguishing characteristic of our lives - it should define and shape who we are.
Only when we give ourselves to God can we ably address the other claims made upon us. First, we must reject those claims that are not legitimate – that take us away from God rather than bring us closer. Then we must recognize the genuine claims and find the proper place for each in the ever-shifting network of relationships that is our life.
It is not enough to give to the emperor what belongs to the emperor. Our families and friends - in fact all of God’s people – have valid claims on us. First, we must transform our divided loyalties into a unified life governed by one supreme and absolute loyalty – to God. Once we learn to put God first, the other appropriate demands made of us fall into their proper places. Divided loyalties become united in a life that is governed by the creative hand of God.
Loving God first does not diminish our love for others. On the contrary, it allows us to love others in ways that are right for them and right for us – ways that are compassionate and life giving, rather than distorted and destructive.
When we love God first, our loyalties are no longer divided. They are in harmony – for each is an invitation from God.
So, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Just remember, that in the end it all belongs to God.
Parable of the Tenants
October 5, 2008
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43
It is hard to read today’s parable of the tenants and not think about our nation’s financial crisis. The parable is about greed, ambition and shocking mismanagement – the same ingredients that created the mess we are in today.
In the parable, a landowner planted a vineyard – and invested enough to make it a first-class vineyard. He enclosed it with a fence, and dug a winepress so he would be ready for the first harvest. He built a watchtower so guards could keep an eye out for thieves. Then, he leased the vineyard to tenants, and left them with the responsibility of caring for it in return for a share of the harvest.
When the grapes were harvested the landowner sent servants to get his share. The tenants were not in a sharing mood - so they beat one, killed another, and stoned the third. The landowner sent more servants but they suffered the same fate.
Finally, the landowner sent his son. He thought that, surely, they would not harm his son. However, the tenants thought they could intimidate the landowner and take over the vineyard - so they killed the son.
Unlike some other parables, this one is not too difficult to figure out. It is about God’s covenant with Israel. He made a great nation of them and led them into the Promised Land – that is represented by the vineyard. He repeatedly sent them prophets – but they would not listen to the prophets. They even killed some – like John the Baptist. Then God sent his Son, Jesus – and they killed him too.
Who are these tenants who did these terrible things? It is easy to feel self-righteous and say they represent the Jewish leaders – the chief priests and the elders that Jesus was addressing – but these tenants were not just people who lived a long time ago. Nor are they only those given great responsibilities – like bank managers and the guys on Wall Street.
These tenants were ordinary people – like you and me – who were so blinded by their greed that they thought they were somehow entitled to more than what they had agreed to accept. I believe that is the connection between this parable and the present situation.
We are deluding ourselves if we think that the bankers and CEOs are solely responsible for this financial crisis. No one put a gun to anyone’s head and told them they had to accept an offer for a mortgage that seemed too good to be true (because it was) - or forced anyone to buy a second or third home at an inflated price because they thought they could “flip” it for a great profit. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that there is no such thing as a sure thing.
Of course, those in positions of authority bear most of the responsibility. Both Wall Street and Washington have been governed by greed and deception. Those whom we trusted – and who we thought more knowledgeable in these matters - led us to believe that the laws of economics had been repealed – that we could have everything we want – and that profit was inevitable. But, we are all accountable – not only in our financial dealings but in all aspects of our lives.
Do we fail to take responsibility for our own actions? Are we sometimes willing to fudge the truth in order to gain some advantage? Does our desire for a quick profit or benefit cloud our judgment and cause us to neglect the consequences? If we answer “yes” to any of those questions, we may be more like the tenants in the parable then we like to admit.
When Jesus asked the chief priests and elders what should happen to the tenants when he finally comes, they said, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” He did not contradict them.
Those are strong words that speak of the inevitability of judgment. They also speak to the certainty of hope.
There may be times when – out of a false sense of entitlement, we act like those original tenants – and we may have to answer for that. However, through our baptism and the grace of God, we are also the new tenants who will give to the landowner “the produce at the proper times.”
Where the original tenants were lazy, the new tenants must be industrious. Where the original tenants were deceitful, we must be honest and sincere. Where they were motivated by greed, we must be motivated by generosity. Where they were ungrateful, we must acknowledge – by deed more than by word - that the one they rejected is the cornerstone of our lives. If we do, regardless of what happens to our portfolio, we will reap the harvest that God has provided for us.