Stuff

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In this Sunday’s sermon, Father John noted that as we approach the end of Exodus, we see a shift between God and his people.God had fed them, protected them and was showing them the way to a land of milk and honey and in return, the people were repeatedly spitting in his face.In Exodus 33: 12-23, Moses pleaded with God on behalf of the people who had just broken His first two commandments.God explained that he would no longer be going with the people because he might kill them but at Moses’ request, he would lead them. This change in relationship was reflected in the shift from a face-to-face relationship to one where God only allowed Moses to see his back. 

The Gospel reading is also about our relationship with God as well.  Connecting the two readings, Fr. John reminded us that Jesus was here as a model for us after we had repeatedly rejected God and his prophets.  Matthew’s story is the well-known effort of the Pharisees to trick Jesus.  If Jesus says to pay taxes, the people will reject him…if he says not to pay them, they can turn him over to Herod to be killed for treason.  Jesus’ response is to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God is what God’s.  Money is part of the world and belongs to the world. 

As Fr. John concluded his sermon, he noted that like the Israelites, we have found ways to replace God…for many of us today, we have done this with our “stuff.”  He cited a study that showed that the sizes of houses have doubled since 1950 and yet most of us still do not have enough room for our stuff…we can’t see God’s glory because stuff is blocking our view.  If we can hear Jesus’ words applied to us today, he is telling us that stuff belongs to the world, but we belong to God.  If we can give ourselves to God loving Him with our whole hearts and others as we love ourselves, we realize the fullness of God’s plan for our relationship with him and fully experience the Kingdom of God.



posted by m white