The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity
23rd Trinity Home
PRIMUS PILUS MMIV
O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Philippians iii. 17 & St. Matthew xxii. 15
and unto God the things that are God's.
We Christians are a people with two citizenships, two loyalties. This quote above has often served those who are drafted into the armies of their countries to provide military service. They are subject to the laws of their land, and St. Paul tells us, that the rulers of the land rule under the authority of God and we are to submit to their authority. But he also tells us that we are citizens of a higher realm, that of heaven, and our sovereign is our Lord and Savior Jesus.
Jesus answered his adversaries when they questioned him if it were lawful to pay the tax to look at the coin. It was inscribed with the image of Caesar and bore his name. Jesus said, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's . Our required service to the defense of our nation, which is a form of tax, fits into that category. But while we are engaged in that service to the state, we continue to owe our allegiance to our higher citizenship, heaven, and its regent, Jesus. When faced with a situation where the two conflict, we are called to choose Jesus and face the consequences of our actions.
In my country, it is possible for a true pacifist whose religion prevents them from bearing arms, to request conscientious objector status. They do not necessarily escape service, but may be employed in a non-combatant role such as a medical aidman. In this case they are unarmed, but yet may be in more danger than regular troops - yet they may serve both their Lord as a healer, and their country as a soldier.
Soldiers in combat may face many situations that test their morals. They may receive commands to do things that are immoral, such as killing unarmed civilians, wanton destruction, rape and pillage, or torture of captured enemy. Their responsibility in these situations is to follow Jesus. In some countries this may cost them their lives. It did cost the lives of many ancient warriors whose memory we observe for their suffering and martyrdom.
I invite you to join me in this prayer for those in the military service of their country:
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace.; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen
Philippians iii. 17
BRETHREN, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.St. Matthew xxii. 15
THEN went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Scripture from 1928 Book of Common Prayer