We cannot outthink, outsmart or fool the Lord our God so why then do we still continue to try by hiding our sins from Him? or in thinking we have to perfect excuse not to act on His Will for us which often takes us out of our comfort zones. All glory belongs to God, we belong to God, why then can we not strive to give glory to God by the way we live our lives?Peace, love and joy is ours to have, simply by striving to live our lives in holiness according to the will of God our Father. And He wills that we share in the love, peace and joy we receive with all our brothers and sisters, His children. As we await the new heaven and the new earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First reading
2 Peter 3:11-15,17-18 ·
We are waiting for the new heaven and the new earthYou should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved. You have been warned about this, my friends; be careful not to get carried away by the errors of unprincipled people, from the firm ground that you are standing on. Instead, go on growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, in time and in eternity. Amen.
Gospel
Mark 12:13-17
Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to GodThe chief priests and the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him, ‘Master, we know you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you, and that you teach the way of God in all honesty. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, yes or no?’ Seeing through their hypocrisy he said to them, ‘Why do you set this trap for me? Hand me a denarius and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’ This reply took them completely by surprise.
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