Daily Devotion

“We obey the emperor because his authority comes from the promise of the Lord and is used to govern the world; but when it comes to the very foundations of the soul and faith, we should obey God more than men.”

Tomás Pereira · Father Xu Risheng's Missionary Efforts in the Kangxi Emperor's Court

Scripture

Matthew 22:21 They said, “It belongs to Caesar.” Jesus replied, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Reflection

Father Xu Risheng's actions and retreats in the court profoundly illustrate the boundaries and wisdom of faith. Facing Kangxi's secular power, he served diligently, demonstrating the goodness and duty expected of a Christian in this world; yet, when it came to the fundamentals of faith, he remained silent, upholding the ultimate principle of "obeying God's commandment above that of man." Today, we too often navigate the secular world of work, family, and interpersonal responsibilities. While fulfilling our duties and pursuing excellence, we must always be vigilant: have we, amidst the applause or pressure of the world, quietly relinquished what belongs to God to Caesar? Only by establishing an unshakable spiritual boundary in our hearts, firmly anchoring our souls to truth, can we remain pure amidst the clamor of the world, living an outstanding life while preserving our heavenly holiness.