29th Sunday of the Year

A priest in a homily asked: “Would it not be wonderful if schools got all the money they needed to educate kids and the generals had to hold cake sales and ticket raffles for their bombs?” The priest was told by an angry parish council to stick to spiritual affairs and avoid politics. The council used today’s Gospel as the final nail in his summary court martial: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” The wounded priest took the advice of his Employer Jesus in Luke 9:5. He shook the dust of the town from his feet. Let’s run this parish council critique by Moses.

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, `I have seen the affliction of my people and I would deliver them from the pharaoh.’ Moses replied, `Lord, perhaps I should fall on my knees and say unto pharaoh, `Let my people go.’ The Lord said angrily unto Moses, `Thou art a man of God, not a lobbyist or politician. Mind thine own business.’ “Moses held his tongue.

The Jews fled Egypt and reached the Red Sea. The Egyptians pursued them. The Jews cried to Moses, `Part the Red Sea so that we may pass on dry ground. Then allow the waters to close again and swallow up our enemies.’ Moses grew hysterical, `I am a man of God, not a hydraulic engineer. Nor do I concern myself with military matters. Buy thee a nuclear bomb.’ “The Jews entered the Desert of Sinai. They wandered for forty years. Finally they begged Moses, `Guide us to the promised land of milk and honey.’ He answered, `Get tour guides to lead thee. I stick to mine prayers.’ “Thirsty, they begged Moses to smite the rock and bring forth water. He replied, `Dost thou ask a man of God to develop a Sinai Water Plan? Call thee a plumber.’ “Moses went up to Mount Sinai. The Lord said, `I have written ten commandments.’ Moses asked, `Lord, shall I read them to your people?’

The Lord replied hotly, `It is not for thee to introduce legislative programs. Don’t meddle in politics.’ “The Jews approached the promised land. Moses taught them canasta and bridge and organized bazaars and dances. He grew in the respect of his flock. On his death bed, he advised his successor Joshua, `Avoid controversy. Flee strife. Care not for the hunger or thirst of thy flock. All who follow this creed will be respected men of God. Thou wilt be dull and alienate the young, but at least no one will attack thee.'” (Unknown) Moses was of course a controversial fellow. He was deeply involved in the physical needs of the Jews. Without him, they might have remained in Egypt building pyramid high risers. But so too was our Jesus a man of controversy. He argued with public authorities. He publicly badmouthed a king. He picked up a whip to expel greedy bankers from His Temple.

He was concerned not merely with the souls of people but their bodies as well. Why else would He perform miracles to feed them when hungry and cure them when sick? If one listens to politicians, you get the impression that God has died and left them in charge. If politicians are in charge, how come thirty million Americans are hungry today, five to seven million are homeless, forty-two million are without health insurance, and twenty-five percent of US children live in poverty?

So, to conclude that “give Caesar what is Caesar’s…” confines the Church to narrowly defined spiritual parameters is a bad reading of today’s Gospel. Christians, who ask critical moral questions in whatever area, take their stand with Moses and more importantly Jesus. The record shows Caesar is often wrong. The Church must demand that justice come raining down like a waterfall. It is the politicians’ job to fix the plumbing. Raising moral questions will make us controversial.

But if Jesus and Moses ran that risk, should we bury our heads in the sand? Some Christians and parish councils seem to believe Jesus was passing by a cross, jumped up, and committed suicide. In fact, Christ raised many upsetting questions. People murdered Him so He would shut up and not disturb their conscience. It was His plan to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. That should be our intent. Christians should be the most exciting people in the country.

A good measuring rod is this. If everyone in our society agrees with us or we agree with everybody, we are doing something wrong. We must examine our conscience. We must not take the strong message of Christ and turn it into fat free ice cream.