Gospel Reflection For The 4th day of June in the year of Our Lord, 2024

Gospel

Mark 12:13-17

13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians; that they should catch him in his words. 14 Who coming, say to him: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and carest not for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar; or shall we not give it? 15 Who knowing their wiliness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? bring me a penny that I may see it.

16 And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Whose is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar's. 17 And Jesus answering, said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Yet again, in today’s Gospel, the Jewish religious officials set a trap for him. Under Jewish Law, it was not allowed to pay tribute to a pagan government. Under Roman Law, they would be killed if they refused. Jesus, having all wisdom, utterly foils their plan. They were trading and paying taxes with Roman coins. These coins were issued by Rome and their use was also in violation of Mosaic Law. Jesus essentially says that it is Caesar's coin that you are using; if he demands it back, give him his due.

However, our Lord gives us a much more difficult lesson. He tells us, and the Apostles will further expand on this point in the rest of the New Testament, to obey both our religious and secular officials. Orthodox teaching is that our leaders are appointed by God and that we must obey them. This is VERY hard, especially as not all leaders are legitimate. In terms of religion, the Pope and bishops of the Catholic Church are instituted by God and deserving of our obedience in accord with God’s will. No Protestant religious leader can claim such as no Protestant denomination was instituted by God. No one should ever give, for instance, the “Reverend” Al Sharpton or Joel Osteen the respect due event he most humble Catholic priest.

It gets murkier though, when we consider governments. In Jesus’ time, nations were led mostly by kings, Rome being an exception, although the emperor had great authority. Monarchs, universally, claimed to rule by the authority of gods. Once Christendom was established, both the Roman Emperor and the kings of Christian nations were under the authority of the pope…. Until King Henry founded his own church in England, claiming for himself papal authority. Soon after, the Masonic order formed, with the stated goal of overthrowing monarchs and opposing the Catholic Church. Masons led both the French and American Revolution, and the secularization and democratization of Europe. Meanwhile, Freemasonry and Communism joined forces in the Russian, Chines, Cuban, etc. etc. revolutions that established atheistic dictatorships.

As the descendant of heroes of the American Revolution and both English and Irish royalty, as well as French nobility, I am torn. Yes, my ancestors fought and died for a Republican system of government. But, it was founded on Freemasonry and Protestantism – my Carroll ancestor was the only Catholic Founding Father. The nation they founded has become a democracy, which was not their intent but is the nature of Protestantism. There was no solid foundation and America relatively quickly became a nation that championed abortion, homosexuality, divorce and is plagued with violent crime. Our leaders generally care very little for our citizens and abuse us with high taxes and unfair laws, while promoting the most immoral policies imaginable. My royal ancestors were Catholic. They were replaced by violent men and false religions.

To whom is our loyalty due? Are the governments of today ruling with God-given authority? I do not know. I’m no longer even sure that the revolutions my ancestors participated in were for the better. Their efforts may have been better spent in restoring Catholic monarchies. Regardless, I am sure that the Russian, Chinese, etc. people who suffered genocide, imprisonment, mass murder and forced starvation, etc. at the hands of their own governments should not have been compelled to comply. I am beginning to believe that the only legitimate governments after the institution of Christianity were those under the authority of the Catholic Church. This is a very troubling thought. So many of my ancestors gave everything for America…. And now I turn on the news and see the government we have wrought. It is not good.

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Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings July-December, 2024 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3ZTXQB4

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic