Fr. Damien's Homily

My cousin Mary Lynn's son, Fr. Damien died in 2010. He was only 46 when he died. This is one of his homilies. So timely. Thank you Mary Lynn for letting me post it.

Sunday Homily Oct 2008 by Father Damien Daprai, OSB

Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.  How appropriate as we wind down the political elections. I would indeed like to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s – if you know what I mean. Let’s just say I’m wearied, almost nauseated by our politics with its endless debates, slander and accusations.

Political debate, slander and entrapment go back a long way – even Jesus didn’t escape it. The Pharisees were political enemies of Jesus and they tried everything they could at first to debate with him. They asked him “By whose authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority? Show us a sign from heaven.” Jesus wouldn’t answer them. So the Pharisees tried to slander him – He eats with sinners – He doesn’t observe the Laws of Moses – He casts out demons by the power of Satan. Jesus was the original Teflon leader, nothing stuck. Then Jesus went on the offensive by warning people about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. One of them said to Jesus, “You are insulting us.” Jesus replied, “Woe to you Pharisees – you scholars of the law. You impose burdens on people that are hard to carry, but don’t lift a finger to do them yourselves”. Then Jesus told the parables about the Kingdom of God being taken away from them and given to others. So now in our Gospel reading today the Pharisees are looking to entrap Jesus so they can accuse Him of something. By asking the question, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” They thought they had Jesus cornered no matter what he answered. If he said yes, it’s lawful to pay the census tax; the Pharisees could accuse him of supporting the Roman occupation of Israel, something the average Jew hated. If he would have answered no, it’s not lawful to pay the Roman tax, then they would have denounced him to the Roman authorities. This was the final ace up the Pharisees’ sleeve and they were thinking – we’ve got him now. But Jesus raised the political question to the spiritual level and said to give to Caesar the money he wants, but give to God everything else. Give your heart and mind to God and obey all His commandments, but only give Caesar your simple taxes. When the Pharisees heard his answer they were amazed, so they left him and went away.

How did Jesus learn to talk like this? What school of rhetoric did he graduate from? What Philosophy did he study?

Remember when Jesus returned home to Nazareth with his Apostles and His neighbors asked, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’ son? Aren’t his brothers and sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Where? – The Holy Spirit. He didn’t go to rhetoric school. He studied Sacred Scripture and listened to the Holy Spirit. Then when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove and a voice was heard from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In this baptism Jesus was given the Mission of being a Messiah and the Holy Spirit gives Jesus the power to fulfill his mission. The Holy Spirit leads Jesus on his mission and gives power and authority to the words of Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit that allows Jesus to rise above all conflicts and arguments and never allows Jesus to get discouraged or doubt himself.

When the Pharisees were trying to entrap him, Jesus knew he was slipping in the poles. He knew he was about to be handed over to the Romans for execution, but he never wavered or changed course. He didn’t become more moderate, he didn’t try to secure his base, and he didn’t tell people what they wanted to hear, he didn’t promise people anything – except that he would send them the Holy Spirit.

So as we endure two more weeks of politics, let us remember the words of Jesus “Give to Caesar his taxes and give to God our hearts, and minds and obedience.” Caesar may be able to promise me free prescription drugs and promise to bail out the financial mess, but God promised to give me the joy of the Holy Spirit and eternal life with Him. Jesus I’m voting for you!