The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia (286-305); Vyshhorod Icon of the Mother of God (“Our Lady of Vladimir”)
1 Corinthians 2:6-9; Matthew 22:15-22.
Read Matthew 22:15-22
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
A nine year old child approached her mother and asked an impossibly difficult question: “Mom, please tell me, whom do you love more: me or God?” At first, mother was perplexed by the question not really knowing what to choose. If she would give the right answer by saying that the love of God always comes first, she could hurt her daughter’s feelings. On the other hand, if she would say that she loves her daughter the most, she would distort her daughter’s understanding of the supremacy of God. Nonetheless, she came up with a brilliant answer: “My dear,” she said “When I love God more and more with each day, I never cease to love you ever stronger.” When her daughter replied: “Mom, please love God with all your heart, because I want you to love me as much as you only can.”
While the daughter was thinking in terms of “either-or,” her mother encouraged her to look at the matter from the perspective of both ‘ands’. Similar tactique was implied by Jesus answering an impossibly difficult question about the tribute to the Emperor. The Herodians who collaborated with the invaders and represented a party of loyal to the Romans, king Herod of Galilee always disagreed with the ultra orthodox Pharisees, who were totally opposed to the very idea of paying taxes to any earthly king, since God was the only King they acknowledged. Yet, in their opposition to Jesus they have found the way to act together as a joint front, so they can provoke him to choose only one side of the dilemma which would inevitably cause serious troubles either from the Romans or from the orthodox Jews. Jesus avoids answering in terms of “either-or,” and invites to look at the matter in such a way that one approach does not necessarily have to exclude the other.
Sure thing that to love God and one’s neighbour is not the same as to love God and civil authority. When there is a serious contradiction between one’s Christian faith and the pressure of Godless state, a Christian has to choose the Truth even to the point of martyrdom. Yet, it is also true that every Christian has a dual citizenship that determines him or her to be faithful to both God and one’s own country. Christianity does not exclude patriotism. Very often we can be proud of our homeland, nation or heritage and obedient to the civil law of a given state. In many cases we can be grateful for the common goods we share and the freedoms we enjoy because of the countries we live in. Yet, no earthly system can be compared to God’s Kingdom. Therefore, if a serious conflict arises, the priority has to be given to the latter. Both citizenships are important. But it must always be our Heavenly citizenship that presides over our earthly loyalties and not vice versa.