Daily Meditation: Thursday, February 10, 2011

Commitment, spiritual - do not expect material advantages from it

02/10/2011

When Jesus was led before Pilate to be judged, Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ and Jesus simply replied, ‘You say so’. But he added, ‘My kingdom is not from this world.’ For Jesus had no worldly ambition. For him true royalty was the royalty of heaven; he did not confuse human glory with divine glory, nor did he confuse temporal possessions with spiritual possessions. This comes up again in the episode where the Pharisees question him about the payment of taxes to Caesar; he merely replies, ‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.’ And you too, if you want to become a true disciple of Jesus, must try not to confuse heaven and earth. And, above all, never think that spiritual commitment should bring you material advantages.