my post-election homily

Continuing my practice of the 3-year cycle (how to give a homily on the same readings three times in a row), here is my third homily on the "Caesar readings" from Sun Oct 19 (here are the first and second). This also serves as a post-election homily. Let me know what you think. (works consulted: Render Unto Caesar by Archbishop Charles Chaput and Randy Alcorn's blog)

In our Gospel today, the plan of the Pharisees and Herodians seemed fool-proof. First, in an act of false humility, they compliment our Lord’s truthfulness and his disregard for opinion or status. Then, they ask him “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” They figured that if he said “Yes,” then they could discredit him among the Jews as one who advocated Roman rule. But, if he said “No,” then they could report him to the Romans for inciting anti-taxation sentiments. He answered not “Yes” or “No”, but this: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” This was much more profound than they expected: “When they heard it, they marveled; and they left him and went away.” But what did Jesus mean by this?

Charles Chaput, the Archbishop of Denver, CO, this year wrote a very helpful book in understanding this very thing, I highly recommend it to all of you. It is entitled, Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life. I wish I had recommended it to you all sooner, but even though the Presidential election has passed it remains very helpful in understanding the role of Catholics in political life, especially as we move forward. In the book, Archbishop Chaput argues that the very health of our American democracy demands that Catholics engage the political realm with the full breadth of their religions convictions and beliefs. Good citizenship is not one that divorces faith from the public square but instead fights for it respectfully but vigorously and without apology. This is consistent with the Christian roots that are foundational to America’s existence. We can’t separate our private convictions from our public actions without diminishing both. Faithful Catholics make good and faithful citizens. In the words of the Archbishop, “How we act works backward on our convictions, making them stronger or smothering them under a snowfall of alibis.”

The pro-life movement, this past Tuesday, I think suffered a crushing blow. Our president-elect has promised institutions like Planned Parenthood that the first thing he will do as president is pass the Freedom of Choice Act which will eliminate all restrictions on abortion, including informed consent, parental notification, required counseling and ultrasounds, and even the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions. This is cause for much dismay… but we Catholics have never relied solely on political figures to accomplish our good works. We must continue to engage the political realm with our beliefs in healthy debate. And we must take a closer look at paying unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.

St. Paul wrote in his first letter to St. Timothy:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Let us pray fervently for our President-Elect that he may come to the knowledge of the truth of the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. And let us remember that circumstances change: “Do not boast about tomorrow,” Proverbs says, “for you do not know what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). But, our Savior does not change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore we must “Trust God; don't worry; be at peace,” St. John’s Gospel tells us.

Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also…Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, [and do not] be afraid. (John 14:1-3, 27)

This passage emboldens us to continue to fight for the unborn and to follow the command of God in the Old Testament: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). Who but us will speak up for them, a whole class of society with no human rights, with no voice, and one that is snuffed out at the rate of 4000 per day?

In Render Unto Caesar, Archbishop Chaput explains that every four years, around election time, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops releases a Faithful Citizenship document, instructing Catholics on how to exercise their faith in political life. But many, he says, have criticized these documents for being too complex, for trying to tackle every angle of every issue all at once, for only serving to confuse the faithful and allow those who would put all social issues on the same moral plane to do so. The fact is, there exists a hierarchy of truths and those that directly affect life must always be on top. Now, this year’s Faithful Citizenship document, I think, is the best one so far. But, we also have a document from our bishops, which celebrates its 10 year anniversary this year, called Living the Gospel of Life. And this document doesn’t get enough attention. It is not too soon to look ahead to the midterm elections only two years away and even the next presidential election as much as we would like to take a well-deserved breather! Therefore, let us take a look at this document, especially paragraph 23. This is a little lengthy, but please pay close attention:

Adopting a consistent ethic of life, the Catholic Church promotes a broad spectrum of issues… Opposition to abortion and euthanasia does not excuse indifference to those who suffer from poverty, violence and injustice. Any politics of human life must work to resist the violence of war and scandal of capital punishment. Any politics of human dignity must seriously address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, housing and health care. Therefore, Catholics should eagerly involve themselves as advocates for the weak and marginalized in all those areas. Catholic public officials are obliged to address each of these issues as they seek to build consistent policies which promote respect for the human person at all stages. But being “right” in such matters can never excuse a wrong choice regarding direct attacks on innocent human life. Indeed, the failure to protect and defend life in its most vulnerable stages renders suspect any claims to the “rightness” of positions in other matters affecting the poorest and least powerful of the human community. If we understand the human person as “the temple of the Holy Spirit” – the living house of God – then these [issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, etc.] fall logically into place as the crossbeams and walls of that house. [But] all direct attacks on innocent human life, such as abortion and euthanasia, strike at the house’s foundation. Neglect of these issues is the equivalent of building our house on sand. Such attacks cannot help but lull the social conscience in ways ultimately destructive of other human rights.

These lessons from our bishops must guide the way we vote in the future. Remember, voting is a political act, to be sure, but it is also a moral act with moral implications and therefore involves faithful Catholics in a very real way.

Between elections though, we must continue to render unto Caesar by praying for our President-elect as I explained before. We owe him our respect and our prayers, our respect for the law, obedience to proper authority, and service to the common good. And Archbishop Chaput explains that respect

is not subservience, or silence, or inaction, or excuse making, or acquiescence to grave evil in the public life we all share. In fact, ultimately, everything important about human life belongs not to Caesar but to God: [we render unto God] our intellect, our talents, our free will; the people we love; the beauty and goodness in the world; our soul, our moral integrity, our hope for eternal life. These are the things that matter. These are the things worth struggling to ennoble and defend. And none of them [come] from [Caesar] or anyone who [succeeds] him.

Finally, “Our task,” St. Ignatius of Antioch teaches us, “is not one of producing persuasive propaganda. Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world.” Therefore let us beg God for “the courage and endurance not only to speak but also to will what is right, so that [we] may not only be called Christian, but prove to be one.”