Who Do We Belong To?

As I put my Phillies jerseys away I thought of the last game that I attended. It was the first playoff game. There were over 45,000 red clad, towel waving screaming fans. But entering our row and sitting right next to us was a lone Cardinal fan complete with hat and jersey. He admitted that he was a bit intimidated but confessed that he was a committed fan. The Phillies didn't make it easy for that fellow but he never wavered. He never gave up. He stayed to the very end.

Jesus 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."

Isn't Jesus asking us this question ... Who do we belong to?

In the baseball world, my answer to the question would be ...

I belong to the Phillies.

BUT ... would I have the same enthusiasm if I were like that Cardinals fan and I was all alone in a hostile stadium. Would I still boldly say ...

I belong to the Phillies.

Jesus isn't talking to u about baseball. He wants to know about our hearts and He asks each of us ... Who do we belong to?

The answer is clear ... You and I are made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, the good news is

WE BELONG TO GOD!

Gathering in Church on Sundays we are surrounded by others who share in our belief and understanding that we are sons and daughters of God. Through the Word of God proclaimed we learn what it means to belong to God. And by receiving His gift of love in the Eucharist we are empowered to live as members of the family of God. This experience helps to re-enforce the truth that

WE BELONG TO GOD.   

But the challenge is living this truth throughout the week in all the various situations we find ourselves in.

FAMILY GATHERINGS ... inevitably Uncle Joe starts in on the Catholic Church ... on and on he goes criticizing everything ... what do we do?

WORK ... we notice one person after the other slacking off, taking longer breaks and still paid the same... what do we do?

FRIENDS ... watching a game and the next thing you know it becomes jokes and story time. The problem is the jokes are off-color ... what do we do?

And on and on ... It is in these everyday situations that we can start feeling like that isolated Cardinals' fan at the ballpark. We can and will be tempted to hide who we really belong to.

What we need to realize that in these everyday situations we are never alone. Jesus promised us that the Holy Spirit would be with us to lead us and to guide us. In the midst of these tough situations we need to turn and ask the Holy Spirit for help. A short prayer nothing dramatic but with an openness that God is with us and will show us the way. That the Holy Spirit will enable us to live out each and every day the answer to the question ...

Who do we belong to?

With confidence and enthusiasm - Home or Away - we can enthusiastically proclaim through our words and our actions ...

WE BELONG TO GOD.