Ord.Wk 9th: Tuesday 1st June, 2021 June 1, 2021
Reflection on the WORD
Hypocrisy – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus knew that the Pharisees’ and Herodians’ praises were hypocritical, as they intended to set Jesus up against the Roman authorities, regarding the payment of taxes. Ponder on, “God knows our hearts’ intentions and desires. Are we hypocritical or sincere in the way we live our faith?”
Watch video homilies of Fr Philip Heng, SJ preached at Church of St Ignatius, Singapore - go to Jesuit Prayer Ministry www.jesuit.org.sg
Mark 12:13-17
The chief priests and the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pjsrisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him, ‘Master, we know that 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?
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.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •Jesus not only avoided falling into the Pharisees’ trap but also startled them with His explanation that ‘what belongs to Caesar must be given to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’
- •God created us in His likeness and thus we are stamped with His image. Hence, we owe our life and everything we have to God.
- •Do you acknowledge that your life belongs to God and not to yourself? Thus, we are meant to live our lives in God’s ways and not in ways that are against His Gospel truths.