Caesar or Christ and the Commonwealth of God
It has been this way forever. Didn't Jesus warn us about false teachers, false prophets, false messiahs, and the leaven of Herod? Is scripture not clear about powers and principalities and our relationship with them?
Indeed.
So as I mulled this over I turned to the Common Rule of Life I've followed for many years and read what I thought was a very pertinent chapter and I'd like to share that with you now. It is about our choice, Caesar or Christ. It's about how we can choose a way forward toward our ultimate destination and the very real work we face along the way as followers of Christ.
Pax Christi,
+Brian
FROM THE COMMON RULE OF THE
SACRAMENTAL COMMUNITY OF THE COWORKERS OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 21 ~ ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
“A custom existed among the first generations of Christians, when faith was a bright fire that warmed more than those who kept it burning. In every house then a room was kept ready for any stranger who might ask for shelter; it was even called “the stranger’s room.” Not because these people thought they could trace something of someone they loved in the stranger who used it, not because the man or woman to whom they gave shelter reminded them of Christ, but because—plain and simple and stupendous fact—he or she was Christ.” -Dorothy Day
“It is not from your own property that you give to the poor. Rather, you make a return from what is theirs. For what has been given as common for the use of all, you have appropriated to yourself alone. The earth belongs to all, not to the rich. Therefore you are paying a debt, not bestowing a gift.”
-St. Ambrose of Milan
“A rich person is either wicked himself or the beneficiary of someone else's wickedness.” -St. Jerome
“The Lord has called us from different nations, but we must be united with one heart and one soul.” -St. Maria Elizabeth Hesselblad
The Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ is a community of believers that strives to live and make real the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us in the Gospel of Saint Matthew 6:9-13.
“Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.”
It is our goal to offer our lives as a living prayer “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” so that we may help manifest the Commonwealth of God, in which the values of the Kingdom are made real within our own lives, within our dispersed religious community, and throughout His creation.
We believe that our Christian calling to make this prayer real begins at our baptism where we become “citizens of heaven” in Philippians 3:20-21 How we are to behave as citizens of heaven after baptism is fleshed out and given witness to by St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles 2:38-47.
The concept of the Commonwealth of God resonates throughout the scriptures, painting a vivid picture of a world transformed, where justice, peace, and love reign supreme. This vision transcends borders and societal structures, politics and national loyalties, offering a glimpse into a reality where God's will is fully realized and all beings flourish.
This Commonwealth stands as a stark contrast to the violence and conflict that plague our world. This vision embodies a world where swords are beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4), where forgiveness replaces revenge, and reconciliation reigns over animosity. In this sanctuary, peace is not merely the absence of war, but a vibrant presence that permeates every aspect of life, fostering understanding, compassion, and a shared sense of humanity.
The Commonwealth of God is a foretaste of heaven made manifest on earth but is not a utopia reserved for the chosen few. It is a community built on the bedrock of love and service, where individuals are driven not by self-interest but by the desire to uplift one another and contribute to the common good. This vision challenges the individualistic tendencies that dominate our world, urging a shift toward shared responsibility, collaboration, and a commitment to serving the needs of others. In this community, love transcends mere sentimentality, becoming the driving force behind actions that promote healing, growth, and collective well-being.
As Coworkers of Christ we are to support the Commonwealth of God in every prayer we plead, in every humility we embrace, in every penance we make, in every kindness we do, in every word we utter, in every act of worship we offer, in every sacrament we celebrate, in every gift we give, in every burden we bear, in every respect we extend, in every tear we wipe away, with every hand we hold; and we do this by sharing in common everything we have been given.
While we are Citizens of Heaven living within various earthly kingdoms and governments and perhaps members of various political parties or ideologies, we strive to be respectful of those principles and powers; but our ultimate allegiance, consideration, and deference must always be given to the Commonwealth of God, the universal care of God's children, His creation, and His commandments.
The Commonwealth of God knows no earthly king nor any political party, and as followers of the Prince of Peace we must always be aware of this basic Christian understanding. If because of fear or self-righteousness we choose a seat with Herod and Pilate rather than walking with Jesus, we have lost the Way and we have abandoned the Gospel with no hope of entering the Kingdom. We can not serve two masters, and no earthly master can replace our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the call to hospitality, like the Apostles before us, we are impelled by the Spirit to embrace and include people and communities who are different from us, those who are perhaps outside of our cultural norms or even theological experience but with whom we share a deep love of Christ, His Church and the Sacraments.
We do all of this in an effort to build our Community and usher in the Commonwealth of God, making real in our lives our Lord’s Prayer that “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Scriptural Support
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 (RSV)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3 (RSV)
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 21:1-4 (NIV)
“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:11-15 (ESV)
“My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?“ James 2:1-4 (NAB)
“Peter [said] to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.’ He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:38-47 (NAB)
“But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 (RSV)
