Citizens of Heaven


In Acts 22 a Roman official, intending to appease a mob, has given orders for Saint Paul to be whipped. When Paul declares that it is not lawful for him to be beaten because he is a Roman citizen, the orders are rescinded.

Questions regarding citizenship were important political issues for the Romans for centuries, and by the first century the laws regarding it were fairly complex. The greatest and most important distinction between inhabitants of the empire was of course the distinction between slaves and free people, but this was far from the only distinction made.

Citizenship conferred both political, legal, and civic rights as well as exemption from some forms of taxation, but only full citizens enjoyed all of those rights. Freed slaves were enrolled as citizens with legal and civic rights, but only limited political rights; they could vote but not hold any elective office. Citizen women had the right to own property and engage in business as well as legal rights to bring charges and be defended in court, but could neither vote nor hold office. Citizenship could be earned by military service or granted by the Emperor or Senate as a reward for some notable service to the state. Paul was a citizen because his parents were citizens of the city of Tarsus, and all citizens of that city had been awarded Roman citizenship when it was named the capital of the newly-formed Roman province of Cilicia, in what is today south-central Turkey.

My point here is that Saint Paul, like any educated person within the empire, would have been aware of the concept and importance of being a citizen rather than merely a subject of a monarch or tyrant. A citizen has rights and privileges as well as duties and responsibilities.

This seems to me important because Saint Paul's epistles contain two explicit references to Christians as citizens of heaven. The King James Version of Philippians 3:20-21 is “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” The Greek word here translated as “conversation” is “politeuma,” which means “citizenship.” It is an interesting word in that it is a noun derived from a verb, “politeuomai,” which means “to live and to conduct oneself as befits a citizen.” In Ephesians 2:19 we read “ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,” the word translated as “fellow citizens” being “sympolitai,” “citizens of the same place.”

What I find notable here is that Paul, born and raised as Jew, might be expected to metaphorically describe Christians as subjects of a heavenly kingdom rather than as citizens of a heavenly city (note that the Greek word for “city,” “polis,” is at the root of both of the words that he uses in these two passages). I do not intend to imply that Paul did not see God as a king, because the phrase “kingdom of God” occurs many times in his letters.

I think that he is perhaps saying that the kingdom of heaven is both a kingdom and more than a kingdom. It does indeed have a divine monarch of infinite power and authority, but at the same time it's subjects need not fear being the victims of unjust and arbitrary cruelty. Like citizens of a republic, they may be confident that they are secure in their status within the community. God's power is unlimited, but his word is both perfect and eternal. To put it simply, God keeps His promises, and He has promised us a place at his table forever.

A further note on the passage from Ephesians quoted above, specifically on the word “oikos,” which is translated as “household.” It's a common word in the New Testament and may be translated as “house,” “household,” or “family,” depending on the context. As “household” it mean all of the members of a family, whether by birth, adoption, purchase, or employment. Note the exact wording Paul uses: “... fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God,” using both the language of citizenship as well as the language of family. I think it's fair to say that any language that we choose to use about the next life is metaphorical, approximate, and symbolic. We simply can not be exact in our language because because we have no exact knowledge of what it shall be. What we do have is God's promises and assurances that what awaits us is in some fashion something like a kingdom of which we are subjects, in some fashion like a community of which we are citizens, and in some fashion like a family of which we are members.

I suppose that each Christian will find one of those, or perhaps some other analogy, more meaningful than the others. While you reflect on that, let me add one final item to the list. In the Gospel parables Jesus' most common symbol for the kingdom of God is a great feast, not just a life-sustaining meal but a meal with an abundance of good and pleasant things to enjoy in the presence of those dear to us. Sounds like a family to me.

-- Father Bragg +

He is risen. The Lord is risen indeed.


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ORGAN FUND UPDATE:

A  very special thank you to each of you who have donated to purchase a new needed organ  for the parish. On Tuesday April 29  the contract for the new organ was signed. And we're only $2500 from raising the full amount. If you haven't already given, please prayerfully consider giving now either by check or by clicking on the donation button above and on the drop down menu choosing "Organ Fund.".  Thank you again.  And God bless.

Services & Events

Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland) 

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Nursery 9:00 & 11:15 Services

Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing (for online participation please above under Sunday Services)

Men's Breakfast & Bible Study, Saturday May 17, 8:30 AM, Breakfast, Bible study with Fr. Bragg , and great fellowship.

Next Vestry Meeting, Monday June 2, 7:30 PM, church undercroft


UPDATED NEEDS FOR MaRIH CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

As you will see in the list below, MaRIH Center has made a number of changes in its critically needed items. The Center provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  Please provide some of the items that are needed..They are very greatly appreciated. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
 In Bold and with an asterisk are a critical need. Please note changes in diaper needs and other items.

*Diapers (sizes newborn, 1, 2, *3, *4, *5, & *6)
*Lovies
*Baby wipes
Diaper rash ointment
Baby shampoo
*Baby blankets
Baby bottles
*Bibs toddler
*Formula: *Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
Wash clothes
Hooded Towels
Spring/summer clothing: 3-6 mo, 2T
*Grocery gift cards

Food Bank Needs
The food bank appreciates the generosity of our parish.Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar).  Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
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