Are you not in awe of our Lord’s wisdom in today’s Gospel? It is not like watching a finale of soap opera or TV drama series? The evil schemers plot the death of the protagonist who not only disables the trap of theirs but leaves them dumbfounded! Woo hoo! We rejoice, what a wonderful end or was it? Did we miss the hidden ‘egg’? Imagine at the end credits like a Marvel movie, the protagonist looks straight at the camera with piercing eyes he asks this of you, “What belongs to God?”
Yes sisters and brothers in Christ, have we forgotten that all that we are and all that we have comes from the Lord our God, creator of heaven and earth? Have allowed the world to blind us with its droppings? Have we become suspicious of the good works of others? Have we failed to recognise the goodness and grace of God working in those around us? Have we become self centred and inward looking? What is mine is mine alone? I have worked so very hard and all that I have achieved rightfully belongs to me and my family? I have very little time if any at all so please don’t bother me about spending time with community right now. Ask me again when I am retired! So then what is it that we offer or rather give with all our heart to God our Heavenly Father?
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. And may the offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice be holy and pleasing to Him. Amen
First reading
Tobit 2:9-14 ·
‘Everyone knows what return you have had for your good works’
I, Tobit, took a bath; then I went into the courtyard and lay down by the courtyard wall. Since it was hot I left my face uncovered. I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall above my head; their hot droppings fell into my eyes. White spots then formed, which I was obliged to have treated by the doctors. But the more ointments they tried me with, the more the spots blinded me, and in the end I became blind altogether. I remained without sight four years; all my brothers were distressed; and Ahikar provided for my upkeep for two years, till he left for Elymais.
My wife Anna then undertook woman’s work; she would spin wool and take cloth to weave; she used to deliver whatever had been ordered from her and then receive payment. Now on March the seventh she finished a piece of work and delivered it to her customers. They paid her all that was due, and into the bargain presented her with a kid for a meal. When the kid came into my house, it began to bleat. I called to my wife and said, ‘Where does this creature come from? Suppose it has been stolen! Quick, let the owners have it back; we have no right to eat stolen goods.’ She said, ‘No, it was a present given me over and above my wages.’ I did not believe her, and told her to give it back to the owners (I blushed at this in her presence). Then she answered, ‘What about your own alms? What about your own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.’
Gospel
Mark 12:13-17
Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God
The 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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