I don't think there is any contrast between St. Marinus and The Nazarene. In this earthly life, you will most likely be under some form of human authority that may require paying taxes or forcing physical labor ("Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's"). But your life (soul/spirit) is God's ("and to God the things that are God's"). At his death, Marinus was saying he was free from human authority but not God's. This also might imply that Marinus believed that the Pope is not God's true authority on earth, of which I agree (it is only The Nazarene).
Sitting on my bed at my hotel room in La Cite, the old central town of San Marino, your piece flew by me and opened me up to truth that you write- I had no idea of the classical origin of the city state I am visiting and of which my wife is a citizen. This is an amazing and remarkable place, dripping with history of the past 1700 years - the large stones everywhere shouting quietly the history that they’ve witnessed.
It’s Italy, but not. Fiercely independent and proud of their history - and the unwillingness of even Napolean to claim them, rather he tried to give Rimini to them; a gift they correctly refused obviously recognizing that taking up below their mountain would expose them to risks and dangers - ie Napolean.
Bravo for your family trip- I’ll check you out more -
I don't think there is any contrast between St. Marinus and The Nazarene. In this earthly life, you will most likely be under some form of human authority that may require paying taxes or forcing physical labor ("Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's"). But your life (soul/spirit) is God's ("and to God the things that are God's"). At his death, Marinus was saying he was free from human authority but not God's. This also might imply that Marinus believed that the Pope is not God's true authority on earth, of which I agree (it is only The Nazarene).
Excellent interpretation. I guess, as with most things, folks will read into it what they will. Worth a visit to San Marino in any case!
Sitting on my bed at my hotel room in La Cite, the old central town of San Marino, your piece flew by me and opened me up to truth that you write- I had no idea of the classical origin of the city state I am visiting and of which my wife is a citizen. This is an amazing and remarkable place, dripping with history of the past 1700 years - the large stones everywhere shouting quietly the history that they’ve witnessed.
It’s Italy, but not. Fiercely independent and proud of their history - and the unwillingness of even Napolean to claim them, rather he tried to give Rimini to them; a gift they correctly refused obviously recognizing that taking up below their mountain would expose them to risks and dangers - ie Napolean.
Bravo for your family trip- I’ll check you out more -
Thank you so much, Mr. Gonzales. You keep reading ‘em and I’ll keep writing ‘em. Cheers!