Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.
Give to each one
1) Showing no partiality. How nice that they could say that about us, that we are all the same! Because we should act the same with everyone. We cannot treat some with exclusivity. We should not fall into the trap of becoming a friend out of convenience, but rather we should ask for the grace to have a big and open heart that welcomes everyone and treats everyone the same way. Like Jesus …. look at your heart and consider: How do you act with others? Do you act the same with everyone or do you look for certain people for the sake of convenience?
2) Give to Caesar. We Christians are called upon to be exemplary citizens, fulfilling our social and political obligations. Lay persons are called to evangelize in society and to be able to bring the presence of God in everyday things. We are called upon to evangelize by complying with the rules, by being punctual to work, by paying what is due to our employees, by seeking the best for all. We cannot lead a dissociated life in which we are saints inside the Church, but we are dishonest outside of it. The key is to comply in the religious as well as in the social aspect.
3) To God. It is good to remember that we must comply with God as well as with the things of God. I am referring to your spiritual and material commitment, not that I am asking you for money right now, but I would like to ask you, do you contribute to your parish? Be it with your time, your money or your talent. It is good to remember that it is your job and mine to collaborate, and not just materially, although it is true that we Catholics are known for being a bit stingy. But it is also good to contribute with your time or your talents to support the church.
Today remember that you are the Church, and you build the Church, the living Church.
May God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And always remember Heaven is our goal.
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