Sunday Services

Sunday School - 9:30 am

Holy Communion - 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays, 10:30 am

Morning Prayer - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 10:30 am

Thursday Services

Evening Prayer/Bible Study, 7 pm

Thanksgiving Eve Service 5 pm

No Services Thanksgiving Day

Reaching out to the least, the lonely, and the lost

Holy Communion Service at Friendship South

2nd and 4th Sundays, 2:30 pm

Thoughts from the Lectionary: The Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity

From the Gospel Lesson: St. Matthew 22:15 -22

Here in this passage we see an unusual alliance of sorts between two groups of Christ’s adversaries. Elders among the Pharisees (who were by and large anti-Roman in their sympathies) consulted with the Herodians (Hellenistic Jews loyal to Herod’s dynasty and decidedly pro-Roman). These two groups send representatives to Jesus to try and “entangle Him in His talk”. They question Him about the poll tax (kensos κῆνσος). A brilliant move so they thought as it was an issue that both parties felt strongly about and if Jesus aligned with either side they could discredit Him. Christ, knowing their hearts and their plans admonishes them about their hypocrisy. Using a Roman coin with Caesar’s image and superscription on it He puts plainly that, though the state has a purpose in God’s plans it is only allowed what is due to it, stating, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things which are God’s.” Unable to snare Jesus with His words the group then leaves Him.

This passage presents a tension between a Christian’s duty to the civil government they live under and their duty to Christ. This very tension is what the coalition of Pharisees and Herodians was trying their best to exploit in their efforts to “trip Jesus up”. We who serve Christ still must live in the world that God created. Though marred with sin, the governments of the world are still ordained by God to maintain ordered societies and we must endeavor, as far as we are able, to obey those placed in authority over us. However, Christ in His statement to render to God that which belongs to God, maintains that, “The earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)

It all belongs to God! We His children must serve Him wherever we have been placed. Our obedience to the authorities placed over us is part of that service. The State however must not require what God forbids, or forbid what God requires for if it does, Christians are obligated to obey God above all even if it requires disobedience to “Caesar”.

Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, give to us your children lives of peace that we may serve you in quietness of mind. But, grant us also such courage and dedication to You, that we may also serve you with boldness in “Dark Times”.

Blessings,

Fr. Duane+