FIRST READING
2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18
Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten and the earth and the world were brought forth, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong, And most of them are fruitless toil, for they pass quickly and we drift away.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
ALLELUIA
See Ephesians 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 12:13-17
Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.
REFLECTIONS:
What do we owe God and whats our obligation towards
others? Paul the Apostle tells us that we must give each what is their
due (Romans 13:6-8). The Jewish authorities sought to trap Jesus in a religious-state
dispute over the issue of taxes. The Jews resented their foreign rulers
and despised paying taxes to Cesar. They posed a dilemma to test Jesus
to see if he would make a statement they could use against him. If Jesus
answered that it was lawful to pay taxes to a pagan ruler, then he would
lose credibility with the Jewish populace who would regard him as a coward
and a friend of Cesar. If he said it was not lawful, then the Pharisees
would have grounds to report him to the Roman authorities as a political
trouble-maker and have him arrested. Jesus avoided their trap by confronting
them with the image of a coin. Coinage in the ancient world had significant
political power. Rulers issued coins with their own image and inscription
on them. In a certain sense the coin was regarded as the personal property
of the ruler. Where the coin was valid the ruler held political sway over
the people. Since the Jews used the Roman currency, Jesus explained that
what belonged to Caesar must be given to Caesar.
This story has another deeper meaning as well. We, too, have been stamped
with Gods image since we are created in his own likeness (Genesis 1:26-27).
We rightfully belong, not to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed
us in the precious blood of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians
6:19-20). Paul the Apostle says that we are to present our bodies as a
living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). Do you acknowledge that your life
belongs to God and not to yourself? And do you give to God what rightfully
belongs to Him?
"Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because
you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised
so much, I owe you all my being. Moreover, I owe you as much more
love than myself as you are greater than I, for whom you gave yourself
and to whom you promised yourself. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love
what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding.
I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I
cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness
of love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love."
(prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109)
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