Dear Friends,
In our gospel from Matthew appointed for today, we hear the well-known verse, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus’ words remind us that while we live in this world, our deepest allegiance belongs always to God. We may carry many responsibilities—to our families, our work, our communities, and our country—but none should overshadow the call to live with compassion, act with justice, and always act in love. This has never been more important than the world we now find ourselves living in. There are so many challenges and fears that what we believe, and that we support, and where we dwell, and the words that come out of our mouths (or through social media posts!) should always be a reflection of what we render – and believe – in God.
The more challenging question is not what ‘belongs to Caesar’, but what belongs to God and where our hearts find true peace and sustenance. If we are made in God’s image, then our lives themselves are gifts entrusted to us. Our time, our talents, our generosity, and the way we treat one another, honor and support those who give of themselves to serve us and the Church, and to ensure all are seen as opportunities to reflect that image to the world.
Every time we gather at the altar, we are reminded that our lives belong to God. We come carrying the demands of the world—our responsibilities, our worries, our loyalties, and our struggles—but the Eucharist calls us back to the One to whom we ultimately belong.
This is why Faith is more than what we profess on Sunday; it is what we practice every day. At Saint Miriam, may we give God what is God’s by becoming people who welcome the stranger, care for the vulnerable, stand for what is right, and love without condition. After all, the greatest offering we can make to God is a life that reflects God’s love to others.
Monsignor +Jim