Of Taxes and God

PAYING TRIBUTE

I find the idea of an angry Jesus intriguing. For me it I see God's only son as quite human and in the case of the disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians deceitfully questioning Jesus about taxes his reaction demonstrates that. And of course what can incite a heated conversation in our nation, but that of taxes, or most recently symbols.

But understanding that the coin that Jesus refers to was a tribute to Cesar is important. The coin was part of a financial system that was part of the Roman Empire, and Jesus does not dispute that. So in a manner his lack of an answer is quite typical of Christ, that is asking to examine one's motives of such a question.  Where does one most important tribute reside?

OF SYMBOLS

In our nation symbols have come front and center to the public arena and rightfully so as debate can draw on a healthy conversation about justice. However, I am not going to even try to address that, but instead focus on our most important tribute, that of God.

It is quite easy to become to be embroiled in the various debates that inundate our daily life, but in I think Jesus response , “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” pretty much sums up the idea that we should focus on the things of God most importantly (MT 22:21). This becomes a question of loyalty in a way. Are we focusing on how we can best serve God or are we focusing more on worldly things. 

DISTRACTIONS

I believe that if we take a close look at what is going on in our nation with the controversy over the national anthem, the flag and taxes, and then actually listen to the Gospel readings, Jesus is talking to us. Amidst all of these debates where do our loyalties lie? Do we spend as much time reading, watching, talking about or listening to these issues as we do with God?  A quick inventory is always helpful. 

Do I find myself becoming exceedingly focused on any of these issues in comparison to the amount of time that I pray? Do I find myself gravitating compulsively to the latest news story about the issue (my answer is yes at times)? Have I made these controversies a god in themselves by allowing them to dictate my actions. Do I bow to every comment made by a pundit and find myself angry and resentful?

Being it a weekend in the United States of course there is football and the Fall Classic, the WorldSeries. Perhaps an inventory of how much time one spends following these sports in comparison to time in prayer or even confession and Mass is in order as well. All this being said I believe that Jesus is issuing a challenge to us. The question is are we listening?

An Open Invitation

BANQUET RECOLLECTION

Much has been written about today's Gospel verse about the banquet from preparing for Mass to making ourselves ready for the ultimate eternal banquet, heaven. From childhood banquets meant either sports or Boy Scouts.  The food wasn't very good (remember that banquet chicken and mashed potatoes) but it was a chance to celebrate with teammates or fellow Scouts accomplishments over the past year.  There was never a thought of turning down an invitation to the banquet as it was a big occasion.

Parenthood brought more banquets as my children were good athletes and students. Once again it was an occasion to dress nicely and to mingle. And yes the food usually was bland, but that was not the focus. It was about celebrating successes both as team and individual performances.  An invitation to the banquet meant making sure that all other events were put aside.

MASS INVITATION

Every Sunday we receive an invitation to join in the most important banquet. The question lies in whether we are ready to participate. In many Third World nations going to Mass is quite a festive occasion where the congregants dress in their true Sunday best. Masses are not the customary one hour celebration that are the norm in the United States, but in some African parishes a three hour event. This brings me to the question of how ready are we? Are we hungry for the Eternal Word and Eucharist? My point in this piece is not a condemnation, but of a reflection on how one can become a fully engaged participant in the eternal banquet.

I would like to think that I am ready when I enter the doors of the Church. Over the years I have become more conscious of how I dress as living in Southern California it is quite easy to fall into the trap of dressing quite casual when going to Mass. I have to remind myself that I have been given an invitation to celebrate with hundreds of others in the banquet of life and the least I can do is dress nicely. 

I also have taken a page from Matthew Kelly's book Rediscovering Catholicism in which he makes it clear that we have to spiritually prepare before going to Mass. Reading the Scriptures before actually stepping foot into Church allows for the word to take root especially if one takes time to talk or even write about it. Kelly also promotes the idea of taking a Mass journal into church and taking notes as the celebration takes place.  I have actually done this quite often and find it rewarding as it allows for me to then write later. It is much like a class and I am the student looking for ways to apply the experience in my own life. 

For me it is important to make sure I am not distracted during the time in Mass. I always find it interesting how people use their cell phones to text during Mass. I liken this to a Simpson episode to when Homer in listening to a football game during church suddenly yells out "they scored!" I once heard a priest quite poignantly say that unless God is calling on your phone, you should stay focused on the Mass. 

THE BANQUET OF LIFE

What takes place on Sunday as well as daily Mass is not just contained with in the doors of church.When we receive the dismissal we are told to "Go out and proclaim the good news." Life itself is a feast of its own and we are extended the full invitation to live it out. The very fact that we have been given life is an invitation by God. In a way we are asked to dress up in the form of how we carry ourselves exteriorly.  We are provided with the choice wines and rich food (IS 25:6) to nourish us so that we do not hunger by the way of our daily experiences with our fellow invitees. Given strength by this food we attempt to life to the fullest, much like one would fully participate in a banquet feast with dancing, food, and fellowship. We may have both experience of living in abundance and of being in need (PHIL 4:12). Whatever our circumstances may be we will fully supplied as Paul states. 

The key is not to reject this invitation on Sunday even though we labored during the work week and we may be tired, but to prepare along with host for this celebration. What can we bring to the celebration? What can we wear?  There should be an excitement in attending such an event. After all it is ultimate celebration of life and we as a the Body of Christ should be joyous that we are among those chosen (MT 22:13).

The Risen Christ

The Living Jesus

St Louis of France Church

La Puente CA

Traditions Bring Reflection

Yesterday I attended a quinceneara with my wife for her cousins daughter. For those of you not familiar with this custom in Hispanic culture it is a coming out party for a fifteen year-old daughter and it is a customary to have a Mass and then a party afterwards.  These typically are quite elaborate events with the daughter having a court of her male and female friends that precede her in coming in the church and the daughter then is escorted by her parents to the altar. The parties that follow sometimes run into over ten thousand dollars, with bands of mariachis or even famous people. This one fortunately was not one of those. All this being said, my focus is not on the beautiful ceremony, but on the crucifix above the altar.

Viewing Jesus on the Cross

I am quite used to seeing the Jesus on the cross with his head bowed in death. This is a quite typical scene in churches in the United States, at least the one's I have attended.  However, this church in the Los Angeles area displayed a Jesus that had me awestruck (see the title picture). This Jesus was robust in body and was alive on the cross. His arms extended with life, his face was full of vibrancy. This was not the Jesus that I was accustomed to encountering in church.

Needless to say this got me thinking. What was my view of Jesus when I am in Mass. In my typical manner it is sorrowful. My savior on the cross, his body and spirit broken from the beatings and insults bearing my sins and the sins of the world. Sometimes I am ashamed to even peer at the cross for I wallow in my sinfulness.

The Risen Jesus

This cross displayed in St Louis of France church brings on a whole different meaning. The background of the crucifix is a bright blue and white. Jesus seems to leaping from the cross as if to be saying, "Look, I am alive!" Yes, He is alive in the eucharist, in the word, and in the people assembled before him.

In reflection I came to these conclusions.  Jesus is prompting those in attendance to be alive as well. He is asking us to become fully engaged in the Mass, singing, praising, and carrying the message to those seated next to us by reaching out during the Our Father and grasping the hands of others, to extend hour hands to our neighbors during the proclamation of peace and joyfully exclaim, "Peace be with you!" When the celebrant concludes the Mass with the dismissal, we are prompted to "Go in peace and glorify the Lord"  or "Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord, " Jesus wants us to be alive, renewed, not just rush out of church to our vehicles, to the coffee and donuts, to the sporting event on television and carrying on our secular life. He wants us to have that spring of energy that promotes his fullness and resurrection that bring life to all.

So maybe the next time you go into Mass, take a look at the cross and see a Jesus that died for our sins, but also conjure up the Jesus that I saw yesterday.