Homily for Independence Day

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, as we gather to celebrate our faith and our nation's independence, our readings offer profound wisdom about the relationship between our duties as citizens and our obligations as followers of Christ.

In the Gospel, we hear the famous exchange where Jesus is confronted with a politically charged question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" His challengers hoped to trap him in a political controversy. If Jesus said "yes," he would appear to be siding with Roman oppression. If he said "no," he could be reported as inciting rebellion against Rome.

Jesus responds with remarkable wisdom: "Show me the coin used for the tax." When they produce a denarius, he asks, "Whose image is this, and whose title?" They answer, "Caesar's." Then comes his profound reply: "Give therefore to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

This teaching is particularly relevant as we celebrate our nation's independence. Jesus doesn't dismiss civic duties—he acknowledges them. But he places them in proper perspective. The coin bears Caesar's image, so it may be rendered to him rightfully. But what bears God's image? We do. Genesis tells us we are made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, while we may render material things to earthly authorities, we must render our very selves to God.

Our first reading from Sirach reinforces this understanding of authority. "The government of the earth is in the hand of the Lord," it reminds us. All human authority is ultimately derived from and accountable to God. Sirach warns that "sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation because of injustice, insolence, and wealth." Even powerful nations can fall when they abandon justice and righteousness.

This passage offers both comfort and challenge. Comfort, because it reminds us that God remains sovereign even when human governments fail. Challenge, because it calls us to be vigilant against the corruption of power and to work for justice within our society.

The Psalm continues this theme: "I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing." The psalmist, likely King David himself, recognizes that even as a ruler, he must first be loyal to God and committed to justice. He pledges not to tolerate pride, wickedness, slander, or arrogance in his household or kingdom.

What does this mean for us as Catholic Americans celebrating Independence Day?

First, we can and should be grateful citizens. Our nation, despite its flaws, was founded on noble principles of liberty and equality—principles that resonate with Catholic social teaching about human dignity. The Catechism reminds us that "submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory... to exercise the right to vote, to defend one's country, and to pay taxes" (CCC 2240). Good citizenship is part of our Christian vocation.

Saint John Paul II taught that "Democracy cannot be sustained without a shared commitment to certain moral truths about the human person and human community." As Catholics, we bring these moral truths into the public square—not to impose our religion, but to propose a vision of human dignity and the common good that benefits everyone.

Second, we must maintain a proper perspective. Our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom. St. Augustine's concept of the "City of God" reminds us that while we are citizens of earthly kingdoms, we belong most fundamentally to God's eternal city. This doesn't mean withdrawing from civic life, but rather engaging it with Gospel values.

When our nation lives up to its highest ideals—defending human dignity, protecting religious freedom, caring for the vulnerable, welcoming the stranger—we should be its most enthusiastic supporters. When it fails to uphold these values, we must be prophetic voices calling it back to its better self.

The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church tells us: "The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order" (no. 399). Our faith always comes first. We render to Caesar what is Caesar's, but we cannot render to Caesar what belongs to God.

Third, we are called to be leaven in society. Jesus tells us we are "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." This means bringing Gospel values into every aspect of public life—standing for the dignity of every human person from conception to natural death, defending the poor and vulnerable, caring for God's creation, working for justice and peace.

Pope Francis reminds us that "politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good." Many Catholics are called to direct political involvement. All of us are called to be informed, engaged citizens who vote according to a well-formed conscience.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that true freedom is not merely the absence of constraint. True freedom is the capacity to choose the good. As Saint John Paul II taught, "Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."

Brothers and sisters, let us be grateful citizens of this nation while remembering our primary citizenship in God's kingdom. Let us work to build a society that increasingly reflects Gospel values. And let us always render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.

May God bless you, and may God bless America.

Amen.