"Citizenship 101"

Our Citizenship is in Heaven

As of lately, “Citizenship” has become a hot topic.  From questions about Birthright Citizenship to the Pledge of Alliance and even to the weightier question of the meaning of citizenship, namely, what it means to be an American Citizen, even AI tells us that it is a “trending topic”.  In other words, it is what people are discussing these days – A lot!

Today, however, I will not delve into the larger social and political discussion, but in continuing with our Lenten Journey, I will remit myself to explore this apostolic affirmation – in fact, St. Paul’s stunning affirmation in verse 20 of our second lesson – “You are citizens of heaven” or “Your citizenship is in heaven.”

Usually, but not always, St Paul’s affirmation is understood as “Spiritual” citizenship, conveying the sense that whatever St Paul meant, it only applies to the “spiritual” realm and disciplines, with no “real world” implications.  However, the context of the lesson challenges such limited understanding.

But it not just the biblical context that challenges such narrow view.  The witness of hundreds and perhaps thousands of Christians who were killed because they failed to follow their civic duty to pay homage to Caesar, should be more than enough to dispel such restricted notion.

In our second lesson, verse 17, St Paul encourages the Christians in Philippi to become “Imitators” of the founders of their church.  In that regard, the term “imitator” is used in the same way that an apprentice imitates the master’s artisanship, so that they, in turn, one day may become masters themselves. 

Now, who they were to imitate, then?  Of course, Paul himself, and then the two early leaders of the church, Lydia and Epaphroditus, and perhaps many others.  So, as Lydia and Epaphroditus did and learnt from Paul, now the church is asked to learn from them, following in their steps.

From the background, then, it is very clear, in particular for the use of the verb “to imitate” that what Paul had in mind was more than “doing” church.  The Christians in Philippi were encouraged to live in a way that at times could and would run contrary to the traditions and social mores of their time, and even to their earthly citizenship.  Nevertheless, it was a way of life which they were called to imitate.

And, to drive the point, St Paul points out some whose lifestyle was clearly appalling – They were those whose priority was taking care of their physical needs first, second, and last, and who made their lifestyle a source of pride and who, to boot, considered losers those who did not follow in their steps.

And then, to make sure the disciples got the message, St Paul told them that their way of life should reflect not only in whom they believe, but to whom they should keep allegiance.

Way back when, in the early 90s, before I became a US citizen, I had to come in front of a judge and pledge as follows,

“I declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

So, to begin with becoming a citizen it first requires a renunciation to all past allegiances and then, only then, to pledge allegiance to the “Constitution and laws of the United States.”

It is such act, renunciation of all allegiances and acceptance of a new allegiance what made me a US citizen.

Which is no different to what we do when a child or an adult is baptized.  During the service, first the priest asks,

Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?  Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?  And do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?

And only when those questions were answered by the candidate or the godparents on behalf of a child, it is only then that priest will ask,

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?  And do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?

And it is only after an affirmative response that the candidate is asked to repeat the words of the Creed, and the actual Baptism can take place.

Thus, becoming a Christian is not just an add-on to whomever we are or whichever way of life we chose to live.  It is more; it is way more, actually.  For it first requires cutting clear with past allegiances be it spiritual, secular, or even our allegiance to ourselves and our choices.  Jesus put it this way, “No one can serve two masters.”

One of the reasons that every Sunday we say the words of the Baptismal Creed or the more extended version in the words of the Nicene Creed, is that we are called to remember our baptismal pledge of allegiance to Jesus, as our Lord and Savior and to recall our renunciation to the powers of the world seeking to drive us apart from God.

Thus, St Paul’s declaration – “Your citizenship is in heaven”— serves also as a powerful reminder of our true allegiance.  So, while we navigate the complexities of earthly citizenship, with its privileges, responsibilities, and conflicts, at the same time we are called to embody the values and virtues of our heavenly homeland.  In fact, Christian citizenship's way of life boils down to living in a way that reflects our allegiance to God’s kingdom characterized by love, justice, mercy, and peace.

An allegiance that time and again will be put to the test by a society which seldom will place love, justice, integrity, mercy, and peace as the top five virtues.  Rather, the world will push in favor of personal gain, self-dealing, “me first”, and a way of life where the golden rule means, “He who has the gold, rules.”

This Lenten season, as we reflect on our journey of faith, let us be mindful of our heavenly citizenship.  Let us strive to balance our day to day living with our spiritual commitments, ensuring that our actions on earth are guided by the principles of heaven.  In doing so, we can become true ambassadors of God’s love, making a meaningful impact at home, at work, in the community at large and beyond.

Fr. Gustavo