Twenty-second Sunday After Pentecost.
Church and State.
"Render, therefore, to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's." — Matt xxii. 21.
SYNOPSIS.
Ex. : I. Religion and patriotism. II. Conflict. III. History of question.
I. Church superior to State: 1. Origin. 2. Nature. Mission and destiny.
II. History: 1. Church's work. 2. State's opposition. 3. Europe of to-day.
III. Church in America: 1. Her enemies. 2. Her work. 3. Solution of problems.
Per. : Fidelity to Church, and golden rule in time of conflict.
SERMON.
Brethren, love of religion and love of country are two of the master passions of every Christian, every Catholic heart. And because master passions, therefore, by no other cause is the human breast so painfully convulsed as by a conflict between Church and State, by the conflicting emotions of patriotism and religious fidelity. In such a crisis, when called upon to choose between Church and State, between Christ and Barabbas, too often, alas! the world has answered, Barabbas. Thus when Pilate, presenting Jesus to the Jews, said: "Behold your King," they roared back: " Away with Him, we have no king but Caesar." Again, all through the history of the Middle Ages runs the echo of a struggle to haul down the sacred emblem of Christianity — the cross — and hoist in its stead the symbol of civil authority— the flag. And even in our own times and in our
