Good Christians, Good Citizens

In some aspects, the Gospel of Christ is a Gospel of Revolution, exemplified by Mary’s Magnificat:

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
while the rich he has sent away empty.

Yet, in other aspects, the Gospel is also respectful of the political status quo: “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” our Lord paying the Temple Tax, and exhortations by the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (including today’s first reading - Titus 3:1-7) to obey civil authorities.

We see these different perspectives throughout Church history: some Church leaders fight to hold the Church above any earthly ruler, others work within and even support the political status quo, and still others openly support the overthrow of the political order (a few even condoning violent uprisings).

These different perspectives arise from a fundamental tension within the Christian message: we are to live rightly in this world as we prepare for the next.

We must live rightly: doing what is just, helping those in need, drawing close to God, and spreading the Gospel. We must do the best we can here and now – but we must also remember that our primary concern should not be the things of this world, but the things of heaven.

Peter and Paul are preaching a revolutionary Gospel: that all people are equal in the eyes of God. Yet they instruct their flock to obey earthly authorities, even the pagan imperial system that persecutes them.

There are a number of reasons for this. To begin with, the Kingdom of God is fundamentally a reality that extends beyond this world and it was critical to lift the eyes of people toward heaven. That was the priority, especially since they felt that the Lord would be coming back soon.

Furthermore, the spread of the Christian message is enhanced when nonbelievers see Christians as moral, law-abiding people.

There is much more that could be said about these things: the social, political, and transcendent implications of the Gospel are truly enormous.

We must be good witnesses of Christ and, in principle, that means being good citizens: doing what is just and helping those in need as we draw ever closer to God by his grace and spread the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.