Faithful Citizenship

Faithful Christians are Faithful Citizens

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20). St Paul’s words to the Philippian Christians express the early Church’s understanding that this world is not our final destination.  The Letter to the Hebrews echoes this sentiment: “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come“(Heb 13:14). The city to come is the New and Eternal Jerusalem.

Yet this life on earth matters, and our faithfulness to loving God and our neighbor is the Lord’s Great Commandment to us (Mt 22:37-40).  This is the standard by which he will review our lives (Mt 5:21-30, 7:2, 12:36-37, 25:31-46).  Jesus makes it clear that how we treat others, is how we are also treating him (Mt 25:40, 45). This means that Christians represent Jesus in our actions.

Jesus’s teaching to “Render unto to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mt 22:21) reflects the reality that Christians have duties to God and to Caesar.  While Ceasar was the great earthly power in the world of Jesus, over time, this name has come to represent “the state” as in secular authority.

Early Christians developed the ethic of being good citizens in whatever community or society they were living in. Both Sts. Peter and Paul taught that Christians have duties before the state to be law-abiding and good members of the community (1 Pet 1:13; Rom 13:1-2).  St. Paul told Christians to pay taxes, show respect, and give honor to whom these things are due (Rom 13:7).

Over time, Christians developed the practice of promoting the “common good” in society. Catholics came to understand the common good as respect for the individual dignity of every human being and the ability of each person to reach their human potential (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1905-1912). The Church also defines legitimate state authority as one that promotes the common good and the rule of law (CCC 1903-1904).

Christians are challenged to represent Jesus in our life in society and efforts to be good members of the community in which we live.  This is where the idea of “faithful citizenship” derives.  Christians have a duty to promote the common good through our participation in society (CCC 1913) as much as participation can occur in the circumstances of various countries or cultures (CCC 1915). 

Christian citizens are called to promote truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom (CCC 2239).  Church teaching echoes St. Paul (Rom 13:7) by stressing that Christian duty to promote the common good “make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country” (CCC 2240).  Christians are obliged not to follow state directives that violate God’s moral order, human dignity, or Gospel teachings (CCC 2242). Here our sacred duties to God take precedence.

Here follows an approach for Catholics to wrestle with the moral and ethical issues of our day that affect our lives and the common good of our own society.  Christians are guided by Sacred teachings, as we gather the relevant facts, discern good and evil, inform ourselves, consult God in prayer, use our conscience to discern God’s call to decide, and finally act on it.

Christian Moral Decision-Making

The Word of God Guides Us

• Ex 20:1-17 Ten Commandments (cf Great Commandment Mt 22:37-40)

• Mt 5:3-12 Beatitudes

• Mt 7:12 Golden Rule

• Mt 22:37-40 Great Commandment: Love God and Neighbor (Dt 6:5; Lv 19:18)

• Mt 25:31-46 Whatsoever we do to others, we do to Christ (cf. v40 & v45)

• Jn 13:34 Love one another

• Jn 15:12 Love one another

• Jn 15:17 Love one another

Basics of the Decision-making Process

1. We have a CHOICE between two or more courses of action: to act or not act?

2. Must make a DECISION—not to make a decision is always irresponsible.

3. Must ACT—not to act makes the decision senseless.

4. Must be willing to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the results.

Making a Choice between more than one course of action

• Choosing between GOOD and EVIL – we choose GOOD.

• Choosing between TWO GOODS – we try to choose GREATER GOOD.

• Choosing between TWO EVILS – we try to CHOOSE LESSER OF TWO EVILS.

Process for Christian Moral Decision-making

1. Get ALL of the FACTS to the best of your ability.

2. TEST all ALTERNATIVES, considering the following: a. ALL of the PEOPLE involved;

   b. LAW OF GOD & TEACHING OF CHRIST—especially in the WAY he lived;

   c. TEACHING OF THE CHURCH—from experience with human situations.

3. PRAY - “What is the most loving thing to do in this situation?”

4. LISTEN to your CONSCIENCE.

5. MAKE a DECISION.

6. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for results!