Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up.  (Mt 17:26-27).

Jesus recognizes religious law as well as civil law, and if there is to be order and stability there needs to be an acknowledgement of and respect for the law, as Jesus said, “But that we may not offend them” and as he will say later, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God (cf. Mt 22:21). These statements really cannot be used to adequately draw a parallel to the modern church and state issue, as there are many complexities and nuances to address that are beyond the scope of this reflection.

Also, the editorial hand of Matthew is in place here. The major issue for him is how to be a faithful Jew and at the same time a faithful follower of Jesus, while also living under the occupation of Rome. If one is seeking a barometer on how to act as a disciple of Jesus in today’s world, Jesus’ message is consistent and clear: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:30-31).

Jesus not only gave us these words to live by, he consistently embodied them in every word he spoke, action he took, teaching he taught, and miracle he performed. In this greatest commandment, Jesus also redefined neighbor, as to represent all human beings, even those that we would consider our enemies. Each human person has dignity in that he or she has been created in the image and likeness of God. Any law is subservient to that fundamental starting point.

Each and every decision we make today, no matter how small or large, in dealing with one another on an individual to individual basis, all the way to national legislation, is to have as the starting point, the human dignity of the person. When we define any human being as other through labels, when we seek to belittle, delegitimize, or dehumanize any person, we are wounding the dignity of the person and ourselves. This is the root of conflict, aggression, prejudice, racism, tribalism, nationalism, violence, and war.

Jesus gave his life that we might have life and have it to the full. He taught and teaches us still, to see each other as human beings, brothers and sisters, with distinct gifts and viewpoints. Each and every one of us has something to offer for the greater good, and each and every one of us are beloved by God. May we join in prayer today for Heather Heyer and those wounded bodily and spiritually in Charlottesville, but not only there. Let us pray for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation for the many places in ourselves, in our families, communities, countries and world ravaged by hatred, violence and war.

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Mass Readings for today, Monday, August 14, 2017:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081417.cfm

Image credit: William Zadanak