The number of Christian disciples in many parts of the world is shrinking. Fewer people identify as Christians. Some because they formally reject God while others have not been taught that God exists and loves them. Add to this the people who might identify as Christian but do not practice their faith.

Who does this leave to do the work of God?

The first answer is you. What is God asking of you? Are you doing what God asks of you?

The second answer is not only can and does God work through those who believe in him, at times He always works through those who do not belief in him.

Today’s first reading provides an example of this. At the time of this reading, the Israelites are under foreign rule. They had been defeated by the Babylonians. In turn the Babylonians were defeated by the Persians, led by King Cyrus. For the Jews life was better under Cyrus than the Babylonians. Cyrus allowed them to have some role in the political leadership and allowed them to practice their own faith.

In this reading, Cyrus is identified as the Lord’s anointed. This means he was chosen for the kingship by God. It was God who subdued nations before him such that other kings ran.

God say to Cyrus, “I have called you by name, giving you a title, though you knew me not.” Cyrus did not know our God as the one true God. Cyrus worshipped Persian gods. They didn’t really exist for as Psalm 96 says, “For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, but the LORD made the heavens.” God tells Cyrus, not once but twice, “I am the LORD, there is no other.“

While Cyrus was not a Jew, he was open to God working through him. On the other hand are the Pharisees who professed the Jewish faith but many of whom (not all) closed themselves off to Jesus. They sought to entrap Jesus to be rid of him. They send some of their own disciples to entrap Jesus who falsely say they believe in Jesus’ teaching as truth.

They ask Jesus if they should pay the census tax to Caesar to entrap him. Jesus knows their malice. While they are not open to Jesus, He uses their actions as teaching moments. His ultimate answer about paying the tax is “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.“

What belongs to God? The proper use of what He has given us. We owe our lives to God. We should give our whole hearts to him (see Deuteronomy 6:5).

In the second reading, Paul writes, “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.” God did not simply speak his Word to us. He sent his Word, He sent his Son Jesus to die for us on the Cross. It is the power of Jesus’ Crucifixion that saves us. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us faith.

Do we receive the faith with conviction? Do you believe what Jesus teaches? Do you live as Jesus teaches? Have you been transformed as a true disciple by the Lord or are you simply going through the motions, hoping to get into Heaven?

Peace,

Fr. Jeff