Pentecost +20

Ex 33.12-23; Ps 99; 1Thess 1.1-10; Mt 22.15-22

            There’s an interesting  trend in our readings today. Did you notice how throughout all the interactions, there is a clearly articulated distinction between what is heavenly and what is earthly? And yet – despite this distinction, there is a desire (on both sides!) to be in constant contact one with the other. Yes: we who are in the earthly realm are always trying to get closer to the heavenly; and the divine is always trying to be closer to us.

            It’s an interesting trend, and – in my opinion – a beautiful one.

            So in Exodus we have Moses and YHWH having a charming little chat. Very personal, very intimate. Here’s one a learning moment for us all, an account of an every-day human speaking directly with God. And, of course, listening intently to the responses.

            As the conversation progresses, we recognise that God is revealing something very important to Moses – and by extension to the people of Israel – and to us – and to the generations that are yet unimagined. God is revealing deeper and deeper layers of Godself. There is more to be learned, more to be loved, more to engage with. 
And Moses, of course, still wants more.

            Don’t we all!

            And so God gives to Moses the absolute most that any human entity can withstand – a passby, with contact.

            Now, for some people, this may seem like it’s not enough, but when we realise God’s motives are for Moses’ own protection, it changes things. God knows that humans, his creation, cannot withstand the sight of God. So God presents, veiled, passing by the back, stretching out a comforting and assuring hand to touch Moses.

            How beautiful. How interesting.

            How clear a distinction between this world and the next, acknowledged and maintained for Moses’ own good. Yet also clearly done to show the desire for Moses to be closer to God, and for God to be closer to Moses.

            Our Psalmist indicates a similar reality: God is on the holy hill – a hill we all aspire to, a place we all want to climb towards. And, from the top of the hill, God can see us journeying, and offering support, and await when we will connect in the next realm. And we grow and benefit from that journey.

            As we journey toward God, God reaches out towards us. How beautiful, and interesting.

            The Epistle is another example of this earthly journey; Paul compliments the faith of the community at Thessalonika, and invites them to reflect on who and whose they are. Their faith is good – and can always be better! Their journey has begun – and will continue throughout their lives.

            It’s a lovely letter Paul has written, encouraging the people to keep looking for God’s active presence in their lives. He lets them know that it’s okay if they don’t ‘see’ God in everything and every time – it doesn’t mean that God isn’t there. It does mean that they get another chance – and another, and another! To keep looking. Be present in this world, Paul tells them, but be open and searching as you progress toward the next. Know that as you journey towards God, God is reaching out to you.

            A beautiful and interesting message for that community.

            Then, of course, the Gospel.

            Here we have some folks, who have not always been friends (these Pharisees and Herodians – the religious elite and the political elite), yet they decide to cozy on up in order to stump Jesus.

            And so they give him false flattery before they do their best to trap them with an awkward and near impossible question.

            Should you pay taxes?

            Well, the question is actually much more nuanced. The tax was a poll tax, on the Jewish population. So, these ‘hypocrites’ as Jesus calls them, are waiting for Jesus to upset a large group of people. If he says that yes they should pay the tax, he upsets the Jewish people who are unimpressed by this unfair tax (and the emperor in general) to begin with. If, however, he says that they should not pay the tax, he is indicating civil disobedience against the government.

Awkward. Yet: Jesus turns it around – and gives the unanswerable an answer. And he does this by reminding everyone gathered of the distinction between the heavenly and the earthly.

            Show me a coin – Jesus says. And he points out that it belongs in this realm. It’s an earthly thing, not only will it not be present in heaven, but even if it were, it would be useless. And worthless. Because while the emperor may have his name and title on the coin here, in heaven the emperor is not the ruler.

            So – keep it here. Use the earthly coin for its earthly purpose. Pay the tax – it’s expected by political standards, so that’s fine. Give to the emperor that which belongs to the emperor.

            Let him have his reward in the here and now.

            BUT – Give to God that which belongs to God.

            And what belongs to God? We do. Our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Our very being. Ourselves, our souls and bodies. Our worship. THAT is what belongs to God. And that is what is heavenly, breaking through into this realm, when we regularly engage with authentic spiritual devotion.

            How beautiful – and how interesting. It’s no wonder the Pharisees and the Herodians were amazed by this. Not only did Jesus avoid their trap, but he did so in such a way to emphasize how we are constantly invited to journey towards God, and how God is constantly reaching out to us. Distinct starting points, but with a profound and vested interest inbeing connected through faith.

            So I pray that as we continue on our journey, we too can recognise in our lives how this message applies. What is earthly in our lives, let us engage with in an earthly manner. What is heavenly, giving us glimpses of the kingdom, may we journey towards it.

            May we truly learn to discern the distinction, and may we put our emphasis exactly where it belongs: may we reach out to God, assured and delighted to know that God is always reaching out to us.