St. Priscilla Parish of Livonia recently shared a gospel meditation about giving to encourage a deeper understanding of Scripture.

The Oct. 18 church bulletin gave an example of how unpleasant paying taxes can be but nevertheless can provide needed essentials for citizens.

"Nobody enjoys paying taxes," the bulletin said. "Despite our displeasure in being forced to do so, we also realize that the monies generated from taxes allows governments to provide essential services for its people. Corruption really gets our goat, however. When we witness malfeasance, overspending, irresponsibility and dishonesty in governmental spending, the grave injustices make an already unpleasant and arduous task even more difficult. The inappropriate distribution and use of hard-earned monies can leave a person quite angry and disconnected. It’s bad enough the government wants something from me, now God does, too?"

The meditation then compared how paying taxes can compare to giving more of ourselves to the Lord.

"God is not concerned necessarily with our money, although its proper use does factor into our faith life," the bulletin said. "As the payment of secular taxes speaks of our allegiance to the government, our return to God speaks of our allegiance to God. All of creation, even the entire universe, is fashioned in the image and likeness of God. What speaks to God and has meaning and relevance to him? All of creation and indeed our very selves! God delights in us and when we present ourselves back to him, he delights even more! As the payment of secular taxes is designed to secure the equitable distribution of goods and services to all people, so is our return of ourselves to God in gratitude meant to advance God’s kingdom here on earth."

When individuals shift their focus to God, then God can get things right in and through their lives again, the bulletin said.