The new heaven and the new earth is already upon us, for through the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, who died and was resurrected for us, He had opened the gates of heaven and made all things new for us.
For truly, we are the people of God. We are His children. And because we are His children, we are His light in the world.
And so, as we consecrate ourselves to Him, we must strive for holiness, so that our light never wanes. We should embrace all that is good and see the good in others. And those who are evil, we shall stay away. For only then we can give to God what belongs to God, all the glory, the praise, and the worship.
Amen. Hallelujah.
Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs pray for us…
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First reading
2 Peter 3:11-15,17-18 ·
We are waiting for the new heaven and the new earth
You 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.
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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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