In all this week’s readings we are reminded of the profound importance of seeking God’s glory and relying on His presence to guide us in our interactions with the world.
Moses, in Exodus, sought the Lord’s presence and guidance. In 1 Thessalonians, the community’s faith and love shone as a testament to God’s glory. And in Matthew, Jesus teaches us to give to God what is His and to the world what is its due.
In the intersection of these two ideas lies an amazing call – to enter the world in intimate connection with God, such that God’s glory is revealed through us in all times and places, even as we seek to discern as clearly as we can what is “God’s” and what is “Caesar’s” – in other words, maintaining a clear distinction between our role as people of faith, and our role as citizens of the world.
The struggle for us is to work out how to maintain an appropriate separation between “church” and “state” while still operating in our world completely as followers of Christ.
As we navigate the complexities of our world, let us remember that seeking God’s glory means seeking His will in all we do. We are empowered by His presence to act with love, compassion, and integrity. Just as Moses saw God’s glory, let our actions be a reflection of His light.