Let us pray: "Dear Jesus, we acclaim you as 'Savior,' we lift up your name, and laud your presence among us. But we do not always live as if you were Savior. So many conflicting claims are made upon us. We want to love you, but we also want to love our families, our work, and our nation. Sometimes, we don't know how to love you as we ought. Sometimes we lay aside our love for you in order to be faithful to these more alluring allegiances. Rule in our lives, Jesus. Reign among us. Be sovereign. You have stamped upon us your image."

(William H. Willimon, adapted)

There is a story told of a pious pastor who had been a teetotaler all his life. He was invited to dinner by new parishioners. "Would you care for a drink?" the waiter asked. "I’ll have a martini," said the parishioner. "Will the Reverend also have a martini?" the waiter asked. "I'd sooner break all Ten Commandments." said the pastor. ""I didn't know we had a choice!" said the parishioner. (Copied)

Today's Gospel is about choices, choices which are not always as easy as the one, apparently, for the pastor in this story. Matthew poses the first of three challenges to Jesus which is intended to trap him. Matthew places this story after the Triumphal Entry and before Jesus' arrest. They are convinced that he must be killed but are hopeful they can find a way in which to do this that will not anger the crowds. The passage itself is full of irony. First, they begin with false praise, a fact that is not lost on Jesus. The question is: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Emperor, or not?" (Mt.22: 17) Jesus calls them hypocrites in response and asks why they are testing him. He then asks to see the coin used for the tax. At that time there were two sets of currency – the Hebrew currency which, after Israel was conquered could only be used for the temple tax and had no image and the Roman currency which had an image of Caesar on the front who was purported to be a God. Sure enough, they had a coin – even on the temple grounds showing Caesar to be a God. Clearly, they had bought into the system. When they affirmed that the head and title on the coin was the Emperor's, Jesus said: "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." (MT. 22:18-21)

As Jews they had been taught that since the beginning of time all creation was God's. Consequently Jesus' response was discomforting and discouraging. They couldn't trap him, and found that his answer was spiritually unsettling.

The issue of Church/religion and State can be a complicated one, and this passage addresses just that. It is not about the separation of Church and state but forces us into making choices about what is properly the state's and what is God's.

As members of a nation we are called to pay taxes to ensure that civil needs are met. Further we are called to obey reasonable laws of the land in order to assure that we live in a safe and secure society. We are also called to the civic responsibility of voting for those who will enact and assure that the laws are obeyed. We need the order that is brought by the state in order to live stable, healthy and holy lives.

We were charged to make no graven images. Consequently, the image of the Emperor on the coin was a problem for the Jews. However, in making choices then and today we need to identify God's image. As Christians we believe that all of us together are the image of God, the Imago Dei. Therefore, how we live is critically important. Throughout the centuries we have seen the Church/religion unhealthily bound up with the state. Few wars have been fought without the wide river of religion under-girding their fierce nationalism. There are clergy today who believe that they have a right to preach civic politics from the pulpit, further muddying the water. As an aside, they do have the right but then must forego their tax exempt status! Throughout history, when people are threatened, such as on 9/11, they may turn first to God but quickly revert to trusting the state.

If we are the image of God, then after doing our civic duty, we are to be the people of God, not an easy or safe thing to do. We are called to speak truth to power, to reach out to those most vulnerable in our society, and to worship our creator God with uncommon fervor. That is our charge as Christians and as members of this parish.

Our annual stewardship drive begins today with looking at how we spend and can use our time and talent as God's people. Our Mission Statement printed in your bulletin forms the foundation for this part of the campaign the second about treasure which will follow. Our time and gifts are given us by God. We are called to be stewards of all that we are and all that we have. A steward is the overseer of that which does not belong to him or her. It is clear that everything belongs to God and we are to care for it during our short time on earth. This earth, this building and community, our children, friends and fellow parishioners, and all of our blessings are under our care. It is so easy to slip into believing that they are ours and not God's!

This parish has many fine ministries, both formal and informal, the former are listed on the card you should have received in the mail this week. Almost every single one is totally open – there is room for everyone's gifts and interest. This is not a parish where one must earn one's way. The welcome is clear: Come join us! I urge you to think about how you spend your time and talent, to embrace that which excites you and, yes, to let go of that which does not.

Let us render to God all that we are – our gifts, our creativity and our joy. We are stewards of the earth and all that is in it from the very beginning of creation. We have it for a time to care for and enrich it. This is true for our natural world, our nation, our city, our church and our families. All is gift and we are to use it wisely and humbly, always remembering the extraordinary love of God that has bestowed this on us.

Let us pray: "Creator of the universe, infinite and glorious, you give us laws to save us from our folly; give us eyes to see your plan unfolding; your purpose emerging as the world is made; give us courage to follow the truth; courage to go wherever you lead; then we shall know blessings beyond our dreams; then will your will be done. AMEN "(The New Zealand Prayer Book.)