There are many comments throughout Sacred Scripture that speak of believers not being of this world and having a permanent home in heaven. We are referred to as pilgrims just passing through this life with an eternal home not of this planet. We are also told that there will be a new heaven and new earth, and one day we will be taken up from this planet and given a new body a spiritual body, similar to the one Jesus ascended with. Therefore one might wonder if the laws of this planet and in particular our governing society apply to us. Much of the social and legal principles of this country find there root in sacred scripture with added modifications. Where does the Christian stand in regards to the laws of the state. One heated subject is the abortion laws which clearly are against the law of God and against the original integrity of the constitution in pursuit of life, liberty and justice. In this particular issue the Church and its people have given to much control to the state and forfeited its right to the saving of the unborn. We have granted our rulers to much latitude.
There was certainly situations in the Roman empire that Paul was concerned with and wanted to curtail any tumultuous occurrence prompted by the Christians. The Christian is always obligated to two communities, that which is of the state and that which is heavenly. Each community calls the believer to some form of commitment and responsibility with its own level of accountability. Jesus said, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." (Matt.22:21) Perhaps this peaceful approach was another way Paul was being all things to all men for the purpose of winning them to Christ. Paul would have been certain of the influence the state would have had upon the church had the church been hostile and rebellious. Paul also confirms that the power the state has to keep order has been allowed by God. This principle is visible throughout the Old and New Testament regarding the powers that God used in dealing with rebellious Israel. Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon was a rod of chastisement allowed by God to deal with rebellious and idolatrous Israel. We see within civil order a working of God's influence and purpose for His people. If the purpose of the state is part of God's order than we would not want to come against God's rule.
We as
children of God have an opportunity to work within our society today which
allows us the freedom of speech and religion. We may not agree with other
religions or other Christian sects but we live in a country which tolerates this
freedom as we have know it to be. And this gives us the advantage to
evangelization and missions. Instead of being concerned of how we may be losing
our religious freedom perhaps we could be sharing more of what we already have.
We have the freedom to read our bibles and learn of our religion and spread that
news almost anywhere at any time. We can go to Mass everyday if we choose and
celebrate our worship and partake of the Eucharist.
His servants and yours,
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
True peace is born of doing the will of God, and bearing with patience the sufferings of this life, and does not come from following one's own whim of selfish desire, for this always brings, not peace and serenity, but disorder and discontent.
-Pope John XXIII, In My Own Words, Liguori, Missouri, Liguori Publication, Pg.72
God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-Magnificat, Holy Week 2004, Vol. 6, No. 2, Pg.243