TAXES

Rendering one's obligation!

At the appointed time, Jesus came to the town of the presbyters named Jericho for there was a man named Zacchaeus who was the administrator of the tax collection for that zone; he was wealthy and the leading business man amongst the category of publicans.

He heard of Jesus and was keen to see him as he learned that the Lord was passing through the town, yet many others who were also eager to see him formed a large crowd which made it nearly impossible for him to get close to Jesus.

Zacchaeus also was a very short man and considering the multitudes gathering to see the Lord, he decided to climb to the heights of a sycamore tree so that he could see him better and avoid ill sentiments expressed to tax collectors in general. (Lk 19: 1-4)

This story resounds familiar to all of us who contribute to the greater wellbeing of our nation; there are many questions raised regarding amounts and status for contribution. Then there are concerns in how abuse is rendered regarding contribution along with the sense of entitlement by individuals and incorporations – especially the more modern religious type who rake extraordinary amounts of funds in.

Many of our early migrants know this story well in the sense that when they came to our nation – they had nothing but just a cardboard suitcase with the bare minimum along with strong hands to work and an ardent desire to build a better future!

There was very little social security which was only available within the migrant communities – looking out for one another. The ladies would have a roster within the neighbourhood to look after each other’s kids when off roster, whilst the lads would stick together at work and try to rope in other mates who needed a job at their workplace.

Then there were the tragedies within the workplace where biasness lingered via the common admin likes which either promote or their dislikes would demote. How about the poor widows who lost everything when their husbands were either killed on worksite or road accidents; the taking on of both roles - provider and nourisher!

Let’s not mention those couples who found themselves in the midst of raging jealousies which escalated in domestic violence where the children silently suffered. These too were the innings of the diversion of pain via the taking up of vice; the cause of collateral damage and emotional homicide!

Like all national catastrophes, our nation had people who were sceptical of foreigners – a charge we are all guilty of – pre-conceived ideas that surface regarding new migrants. There are various stories from hostility to hospitality; yet, the centres of faith in those early days were paramount - encouraging integration and welcome!

When Jesus approached the place where the tree Zacchaeus was nestled on; he looked up and called him saying: “Zacchaeus, come down to me for I desire to stay with you and your household this day!” When Zacchaeus heard the Lord’s request, he hurried down with excitement and welcomed Jesus wholeheartedly with great joy into his house. Yet, as the crowd observed this develop, objections began to surface via various people murmuring: “Look at him (Zacchaeus) who is a sinner! How can He (Jesus) desire to enter that household?” (Lk 19: 5-7)

The problem these days is that centres of faith (the orthodox are guilty like everyone else) is that we have a tendency to categorise and create boundaries whilst speaking on God’s behalf regarding who is acceptable to be part of God’s family and who is not.

This happens precisely due to the ill comprehension of what the Incarnation (Jesus come amongst us) is truly about! We (the Church and other institutions of faith) are truly becoming more and more alike the Pharisees who indulged in being righteous which is considered justified via hurling stones onto those who do not fit the perceived established criteria.

Yet, if we open the pages of each gospel according to the eye witnessing apostles and their disciples who collated the accounts and wrote most of them down; it is ever clear that the Lord clarified the letter of the law (Lk 11:46) which a great part of it is man’s interpretation via constantly reaching out onto those who were shunned by it!

There were way too many rules and regulations which the pharisaic party from the early times of the Exodos enforced on people under the supposed precepts of God’s law. Jesus himself openly challenges them regarding this via declaring that the heart of the divine law is to strive to love in perfect wholeness (Mt 5:48) as the Father Pantocrator loves all children (Lk 11:11) reaching out onto those who are broken and in need via making them whole - God’s desire for all to do likewise; the declaration of the true Christian!

Zacchaeus then was compelled to speak from the heart and said: “Lord, I wish to make amends, I desire to give half of my goods to the poor! Furthermore, if I have via the circumstances – cheated anyone; I commit to restore what I have unjustly taken four times back!”

Thus, Jesus then boldly stated: “You are a son of Abraham and Salvation has come to visit you this day – the Son of Man has come for those who are considered far and lost in order that they be saved!” (Lk 19: 8-10)

St. John Chrysostom (347 – 407AD) who was a patriarch of the then prestigious Byzantine Patriarchal See (Patriarchal Seat of Administration) of Constantinople noted that the Institutional side of the Church could not let go of Pharisaic tendencies; the finest and best – not necessarily for God, but so that they could look glamorous in a rich liturgical tradition via their lust to resemble temple deities.

It is true that we should give the Lord our best as far as exterior surroundings are concerned, yet when that only is the objective and a clear statement of institutional grandeur which fails to mirror the gospel; it immanently disqualifies itself (poor vision of church) dreadfully! We should serve in a rich spiritual tradition via the grace given us which conveys the Heavenly Jerusalem, and by no means become the Emerald Palace portrayed in the childhood spectacle of the Wizard of OZ!

As you know, we don’t use fine garments and vessels of prestigious glamor; most of those cost thousands of dollars which I cannot justify such usage along with its prestigious value! Nor am I the type to look like an over decorated Christmas tree that stars in a festive spectacle. This type of refinery is not my cup of tea and certainly not the Church I promised to serve and give my life to!!!

St. Basil the Great (330 – 379AD) who was archbishop of Cappadocia – an ancient town in now modern Turkey, he (St. Basil) had a tendency to empty the diocesan funds in order to help out the poor and struggling families of his diocese. St. John Maximovitch (1896 – 1966AD) who was Metropolitan Archbishop of New York likewise obliged - much to the horror of the prestigious pharisaic clergy of his archdiocese.

When I was a young deacon, a wonderful elderly gentlemen who had served in the secret services both in Russia and here in Australia - whose son is a bishop, reminded me of a saying regarding chalices of wood and bishops with hearts of gold. He thus boldly stated: “Gone are those days for now we have bishops with hearts of wood and chalices of gold!” Furthermore, St. John Chrysostom encapsulated this in his homily upon the Eucharist of the poor exhorting:

“If you desire to adorn the body of the Saviour, then do not despise it when it is naked! Do not honour it in church with fine silk vestments while outside it is naked and numb with cold! He who said: “This is my body” and made it so via his word and command is the very same one who exhorted: “You beheld me hungry and you gave me no food!

As you did it not to the least of these, you did it not to me!” Honour him then by sharing your property with the poor. For God does not seek chalices of gold but delights in golden souls! Hence, what good is it if the holy altar is overloaded with golden vessels whilst your neighbour is dying of hunger” Start by satisfying his hunger and with whatever is left – tend to the liturgical items!”

Yesterday, I commended the soul of a young lass who passed with Huntington’s disease (inherited condition which cause brain cells to break down) and within the Eulogy her faithful husband spoke about a praiseworthy quality she possessed as her health declined: “Despite her worsening condition, she always desired to visit people especially those who were far and give them a gift to show her love and via that giving her joy was complete!”

Later on, whilst on pastoral visitation, I came to visit a family who I have known for years and they unfortunately have been visited by many misfortunes – similar to the tribulations Job received, yet they like he endure with patience. Regardless of ones journey – the Good Shepherd always leads us to other pastures where we can truly rest from our labours and have our fill!

Regarding one’s journey, there exists a constant theme in Australian society regarding former religious practises (a) such no longer offers spiritual nourishment (b) such chokes one to conform to the agenda (c) such floods one with various tithes alike the telly marketing charities who are on to you once you help out a particular organization. Hence, this family tithed extremely well in the past especially with much voluntary work, yet there are many faithful souls who are treated with contempt; such have been to hell and back which is a fair comment considering their sufferings!

Thus, over coffee and cake, we were chatting about various issues and of course they have asked me to take care of their funerals when the time comes at which I as a legitimate apostle (bishop) with (canonical documentation) ecclesial documented proof and as their chaplain will wholeheartedly oblige. Therefore, they poured out their sentiments and presented me with a song (Jonny Paycheck’s Outlaw Prayer) which in many ways sums up their pain and adds a modern twist to the words of St. John Chrysostom above.

You know, I worked the Big Packet show In Fort Worth, Saturday night We had all day Sunday to rest and relax Before I caught another flight

So I decided to walk downtown An' get myself a little fresh air Before long, I found myself in front of a big Church On the corner of the square

Boy, I could hear that singin' way out in the street It sure was a beautiful sound So I just walked up the steps An' opened the door an' started to go inside an' sit down

But before I could, a young man walked over to me An' said, "Excuse me, sir But I can't let you in with that big black hat Those jeans, that beard an' long hair"

So I just left, went back outside Sat down on that curb An' I thought to myself, that's the house of the LORD That guy's got a hell of a nerve Tellin' me I can't worship anywhere I please

So right there, in front of that Church I just knelt down on my knees I said, Lord, I know I don't look like much But I didn't think You'd mind I just wanted to be with your people, LORD It's been a long time

A while ago, I saw a wino over there in the alley All bent over in tears An' I thought how one stained glass window from this Church Would feed his family for years

Then there's those fine cars parked outside Too many for me to count Made me think how people walked for days To hear Your Sermon on the Mount

Then there's those fine ladies in the choir, LORD Singin' like they really love it Hell, last night, they were dancin' on the front row of my show Drinkin' beer and screamin', "Sing Shove It!"

You know, even John the Baptist Wouldn't be welcome in this place With his coat made of camel hair An' sandals on his feet an' a long beard on his face

You know, Lord, when You come back to get Your children An' take 'em beyond the clouds To live forever in Heaven with You Well, I'd sure hate to be in this crowd

You know, LORD, I'm not perfect Some even call me 'No Account' But I'll tell You, I believe a man is judged By what's in his heart, not his bank account

So if this is what religion is A big car and a suit an' a tie Then I might as well forget it LORD 'Cause I can't qualify

Oh, by the way, LORD, right before they kicked me out Didn't I see a picture of You? With sandals an' a beard? Believe You had long hair too"

Well, this is Paycheck, signing off I'll be seein' you LORD, I hope

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Have mercy on us and rid your Church of these parasites that have infiltrated the ranks of sacred office; keep us meek and humble of heart in the faith of thy saints so that we may behold your glory when you call us from this earth. Amen!

+Raffaele

Metropolitan Archbishop