October 22, 2023

Sister Ana Cloughly, OSB shares a reflection on the scripture readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21

Whose Image?

The readings this week leave me with so many more questions than answers.

The first reading tells us about King Cyrus. Cyrus was the Assyrian king who conquered Babylonia and let the Hebrew people return to Israel. He even gave them resources to rebuild their temple. Isaiah saw Cyrus’ kindness as a sign that God anointed Cyrus, making him a savior of God’s people. Cyrus’ actions were most likely politically motivated. However, what I take from this story is that even “foreigners,” those with different religious beliefs and even different motives, can work for the good God seeks for all of us.

Over time, the Greeks would occupy Israel. In an effort to get out from under the Greeks, the leaders of Israel would invite the Romans into their territory. This tactic worked too well, and Israel found itself under Roman occupation.

Fast forward to the time of Jesus.

When the Pharisees and Herodians approached Jesus to trap him, they were engaging Jesus in a very dangerous game. The Herodians conspired with the Romans, and the Pharisees wanted nothing to do with Rome. Jesus must have known something was up to have such a strange alliance approach him. They spoke to him rather condescendingly, “You speak the truth…” Then they tried to trap him, asking if it is lawful to pay the census tax. If Jesus answers this closed-ended question with a simple yes or no, he is in grave danger. Yes, would pit him against the crowds and no, would get him arrested by the Romans. Jesus asks to see a coin with which the census tax is to be paid and then asks whose image is on the coin. Caesar’s image is on the coin with his inscription that proclaims his divinity.  

A few weeks ago, Bishop Hanifan asked the question, “What kind of God gives humans free will?” What kind of God allows evil? It seems to me that the whole world has gone crazy. Wars, violence, an inability to even speak civilly. Where is God now? What kind of God is God?

God is the kind of God who gave up divinity to be with all of creation in its vulnerability. Christ, the crucified one.

We are the image of God. We are Christ in the world. I am, one with you and me.  

Jesus came to earth as one of the oppressed, not as a political leader or even as part of the religious leadership. When I see the faces of so many refugees, I see God’s vulnerability in Christ crucified. When I see the suffering of people of all religions or no religion, I see Christ the crucified one. When I see people protesting the ongoing destruction of rain forests and wetland environments, the ongoing support for our dependence of fossil fuels and the reversal of protections for land and water, I see Christ the crucified one.

That leads me, of course, back to me. When others see me, whose image do they see? Am I merely a privileged American? How does my life speak to giving God what belongs to God?

What does God command be given? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love you neighbor as yourself. Do I do this?    The image of God I hold in my heart is God as love, undivided love. Do I love God with an undivided love? Do I love my neighbor with undivided love?  After all, do I truly believe that I am created in the image of God. We are created in the image of God. We are given free will so that our love can be authentic. We have it in us. My prayer as I was preparing this reflection has been, God, I am love. Let me live as your love today.