October 16th - Reflection

18th Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)
A teaching about the emperor and God

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Reflection
Give to the government what belongs to the government but give to God what belongs to God. The coin bears the image of Caesar...give it to Caesar. Caesar bears the image of God...give Caesar to God. God has no use for the money. All that we have and all that we are comes from God. God has no use for the things we create. God can create just fine. What God wants is his creation.

So we give ourselves to God. Sounds backwards to me. But that's all we have to offer. We belong to God after all anyway. But God graciously gives us free will. And I want God's love and I'm so glad that God wants mine. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Nothing like a loving Father. You love me and I love you. You gave your life for mine and I gladly would do anything for life in you...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen