This Sunday’s readings remind us of the central role and truth of our Creator. God speaks to the prophet Isaiah: I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me. (Isaiah 45:1, 4-6) The Psalm calls us to Give the Lord glory and honor. (Psalm 96) St. Paul in his first Letter to the Thessalonians recalls how we are all chosen by God. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-5) Finally, Jesus in his usual wisdom evades the plotting of the Herodians and Pharisees by recalling that we are all stamped in the image of God.
When Jesus is asked whether it is lawful to pay the census tax to Ceasar or not, he replies:
“Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. (Matthew 22:15-21)
We are invited to remember that we are created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis) We are encouraged by these scriptures to see the beauty of God’s creation, most especially in that we bear His image. Our God who is Love, creates us in Love, and for Love. It is difficult to refer to this as an “approach of God”. How can the God who created us in His image, and sent His Son to create a New and Eternal Covenant with us, Who promised to be with us always, ever approach, when He never leaves?
All people crave for love, and all we need do is acknowledge our Creator and the Love offered us in Christ. Each individual longs for relationship…this is a part of what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God Who is relationship in Himself…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our relationships, with one another, as individuals, families, communities and as nations always benefit when we acknowledge God as Creator.
The human and divine are forever joined in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus longs to reveal the Father to us, and each individual to his/her deepest personal identity. As Jesus reveals these mysteries (of God and our deepest self), we are more and more capable of living life to the full, in peace and joy.
Creator, God, open us to receive You. Open us to receive Your Son, Jesus, and the Truth of His Gospel. Grant us the grace of Your Love in our relationship with you, and our relationships with each other. Help us to give you glory and honor, as we labor in love for the good of one another and the building up of Your Kingdom.
Amen.
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