Tod Worner Offers a Reading Guide for Independence Day

"[The Pharisees asked him], 'Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?' Knowing their malice, Jesus said, 'Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.' Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, 'Whose image is this and whose inscription?' They replied, 'Caesar's'” At that he said to them, 'Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.' - Matthew 22:15-21

"As we approach our nation's 241st birthday on July 4th, this passage came to mind. We are all children of God, owing our Father first devotion and first allegiance. As created beings with a loving Father, our rights are therefore, not granted, but only safeguarded by our local, state and national governments. The wise Irish Member of Parliament Edmund Burke was quick to remind that any government leader who fails to secure the right to life, liberty and property was illegitimate. Why? Not because that leader is the source of such rights, but because he is the humble custodian of them; he is entrusted to deliver that which comes from God and belongs to everyone.

And so it is proper that second to our faithful worship and devotion to God - the Source of our life and rights - we celebrate the birth of our nation. Appropriately enshrined in our country's revolutionary document, The Declaration of Independence, is this vital assertion: God is the Source and government serves only as custodian of our indispensable rights.'

In a recent commentary, writer (and physician) Tod Worner reflected on our first allegiance to God and our follow up allegiance to our nation: "And our country is founded on the belief that its government is to be a faithful custodian of our freedom to worship. But we also serve as citizens of a country. If we are to be thoughtful, engaged and vigilant citizens, it is our duty to be familiar with our nation’s foundational works." In conjunction with this, he offers a number of important readings for thoughtful citizens.

To access Dr. Warner's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: Tod Worner: Don't be "the average voter" - A reading guide for the Fourth of July (2 JUL 17)