Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 354
Lectionary: 354
Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you
await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Therefore, beloved, since you are
forewarned,
be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Responsorial90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 AND 16
R. (1) In every age, O Lord,
you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
AlleluiaEPHESIANS 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 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.
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.
For the
readings of the Optional Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, please
go here.
Meditation: "Give to
God what belongs to God"
What
do we owe God and what's our obligation towards others? Paul the Apostle tells
us that we must give each what is their due (Romans 13:6-8). The Jewish
authorities sought to trap Jesus in a religious-state dispute over the issue of
taxes. The Jews resented their foreign rulers and despised paying taxes to
Caesar. They posed a dilemma to test Jesus to see if he would make a statement
they could use against him. If Jesus answered that it was lawful to pay taxes
to a pagan ruler, then he would lose credibility with the Jewish populace who
would regard him as a coward and a friend of Caesar. If he said it was not
lawful, then the Pharisees would have grounds to report him to the Roman
authorities as a political trouble-maker and have him arrested.
Jesus
avoided their trap by confronting them with the image of a coin. Coinage in the
ancient world had significant political power. Rulers issued coins with their
own image and inscription on them. In a certain sense the coin was regarded as
the personal property of the ruler. Where the coin was valid the ruler held
political sway over the people. Since the Jews used the Roman currency, Jesus
explained that what belonged to Caesar must be given to Caesar.
We
belong to God and not to ourselves
This story has another deeper meaning as well. We, too, have been stamped with God's image since we are created in his own likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). We rightfully belong, not to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed us in the precious blood of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Paul the Apostle says that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). Do you acknowledge that your life belongs to God and not to yourself? And do you give to God what rightfully belongs to Him?
This story has another deeper meaning as well. We, too, have been stamped with God's image since we are created in his own likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). We rightfully belong, not to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed us in the precious blood of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Paul the Apostle says that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). Do you acknowledge that your life belongs to God and not to yourself? And do you give to God what rightfully belongs to Him?
"Lord,
because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because you have
redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much,
I owe you all my being. Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself
as you are greater than I, for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised
yourself. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge;
let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe you more than my whole
self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you.
Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of love. I am wholly yours by creation;
make me all yours, too, in love." (prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109)
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Put off the earthly image and put on
the heavenly one, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"Some
people think that the Savior spoke on a single level when he said, 'Give to
Caesar what belongs to Caesar' - that is, 'pay the tax that you owe.' Who among
us disagrees about paying taxes to Caesar? The passage therefore has a mystical
and secret meaning. There are two images in humanity. One he received from God
when he was made, in the beginning, as Scripture says in the book of Genesis,
'according to the image and likeness of God' (Genesis 1:27). The other image is
of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:49). Man received this second image later. He
was expelled from Paradise because of disobedience and sin after the 'prince of
this world' (John 12:31) had tempted him with his enticements. Just as the
coin, or denarius, has an image of the emperor of this world, so he who does
the works of 'the ruler of the darkness' (Ephesians 6:12) bears the image of
him whose works he does. Jesus commanded that that image should be handed over
and thrown away from our face. He wills us to take on that image, according to
which we were made from the beginning, according to God's likeness. It then
happens that we give 'to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what is
God's.' Jesus said, 'Show me a coin.' For 'coin,' Matthew wrote 'denarius' (
Matthew 22:19). When Jesus had taken it, he said, 'Whose inscription does it
have?' They answered and said, 'Caesar's.' And he said to them in turn, 'Give
to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'" (excerpt
from HOMILY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 39.4-6)
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, MARK 12:13-17
WEEKDAY
(2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18; Psalm 90)
WEEKDAY
(2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18; Psalm 90)
KEY VERSE: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" (v 17).
TO KNOW: Some Pharisees and Herodians (supporters of Herod Antipas) tried to entrap Jesus regarding his position on the Law. They flattered Jesus, insincerely saying that he was a "truthful teacher" of the ways of God. They asked Jesus whether or not paying taxes to the Roman Emperor violated the Mosaic Law. The Herodians were loyal to Rome, and saw no conflict in observing the Roman law. The Pharisees and Herodians intended to force Jesus into taking an anti-Roman position so that the government would do away with him. Since they were using the emperor's coins and participating in his economic system, they had already taken upon themselves the duty of paying taxes to the Roman emperor Tiberius Caesar (14-37 AD). Jesus recognized their hypocrisy (play-acting), and ended the controversy by saying that they should pay "Caesar" his due. But he reminded them that they had even a greater obligation to God.
TO LOVE: Do I compromise my beliefs when I am challenged?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to discern the truth.
Optional
Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs
Peter and Marcellinus were two Roman martyrs who suffered under the persecution of the Roman emperor Diocletian, about the year 303. Marcellinus was a priest and Peter an exorcist. Their names are mentioned in the Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I). Peter was cast into prison at Rome for confessing the Christian faith. There he set free Paulina, the daughter of Artemius, the keeper of the prison, from an evil spirit which tormented her. Upon hearing this, Artemius and his wife and all their house, with their neighbors were converted to Jesus Christ Peter then brought them to Marcellinus the priest, who baptized them all. When the judge heard this, he called Peter and Marcellinus before him, and threatened them unless they would deny Christ. Marcellinus answered with Christian boldness, whereupon he was beaten, and shut in a prison without either food or light. Peter was also confined. But when both of them were found unshaken in their testimony, they were beheaded, confessing Jesus Christ by their blood. Sometime later devout women found the bodies and honorably interred them near the tomb of Saint Tiburtius in the catacombs on the Via Labicana at "the two laurels."
Tuesday 2 June 2020
Ss Marcellinus and Peter
2 Peter 3:11-15, 17-18. In every age, O Lord, you have been our
refuge – Psalm 89(90):2-4, 10, 14, 16. Mark 12:13-17.
‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what
belongs to God’
Whose image (head in the Jerusalem Bible that we use) is this?
And whose name? The answer comes back, Caesar! But it is hard to escape the
feeling that Our Lord wants to push us further, to draw us deeper. The coin
bears Caesar’s image and name, but Jesus’ interlocutors, they bear the image of
God, as do we. And you and I? We also bear the name of his Son. With this in
mind Jesus’ words later on, ‘and to God what belongs to God’ become an
invitation. Give yourself to me. I made you in my image. I have given you my
name, give yourself to me. How? Peter steps in, ‘you should be living holy and
saintly lives … without spot or stain’. So, we should strive until our tax
comes due, either at the end of our brief lives or when the New Earth comes.
Saints Marcellinus and Peter
Saint of the Day for June 2
(d. 304)
 |
| Illumination from the Passionary of Weissenau | Frater Rufillus |
Saints Marcellinus and Peter’s Story
Marcellinus and Peter were prominent enough in the memory of the
Church to be included among the saints of the Roman Canon. Mention of their
names is optional in our present Eucharistic Prayer I.
Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist, that is,
someone authorized by the Church to deal with cases of demonic possession. They
were beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Pope Damasus wrote
an epitaph apparently based on the report of their executioner, and Constantine
erected a basilica over the crypt in which they were buried in Rome. Numerous
legends sprang from an early account of their death.
Reflection
Why are these men included in our Eucharistic prayer, and given
their own feast day, in spite of the fact that almost nothing is known about
them? Probably because the Church respects its collective memory. They once
sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church. They made the
ultimate step of faith.
Lectio Divina: Mark 12:13-17
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
Your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 12:13-17
Next, the priests, the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some
Pharisees and some Herodians to catch Him 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 human 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 or not?' Recognizing their hypocrisy He said to them, 'Why are you putting
Me to the test? Hand Me a denarius and let Me see it.'
They handed Him one and He said to them, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' Jesus said to them, 'Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.' And they were amazed at Him.
They handed Him one and He said to them, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' Jesus said to them, 'Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.' And they were amazed at Him.
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel, the confrontation between Jesus and the
authority continues. The priests and the Scribes had been criticized and
denounced by Jesus in the parable of the vineyard (Mk 12:1-12). Now, they
themselves ask the Pharisees and the Herodians to set up a trap against Jesus
to be able to condemn Him. They ask questions to Jesus concerning the taxes to
be paid to the Romans. This was a controversial theme which divided public
opinion. The enemies of Jesus want, at all costs, to accuse Him and diminish
the influence that He had on the people. Groups, which before were
enemies, now get together to fight against Jesus. This also happens
today. Many times, persons or groups, enemies among themselves, get together to
defend their privileges against those who inconvenience them with the
announcement of truth and of justice.
• Mark 12:13-14: The question of the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Pharisees and the Herodians were the local leaders in the villages of Galilee. It was a long time since they had decided to kill Jesus (Mk 3: 6). Now, because of the order of the priests and of the elders, they want to know if Jesus is in favor or against the payment of taxes to the Romans, to Caesar. An underhanded or sly question, full of malice! Under the appearance of fidelity to the Law of God, they look for reasons in order to be able to accuse Him. If Jesus says, “You should pay!” they could accuse Him of being a friend of the Romans. If He said, “No, you do not have to pay!” they could accuse Him to the authority of the Romans of being subversive. This seemed to be a dead alley!
• Mark 12:15-17: Jesus’ answer. Jesus perceives their hypocrisy. In His response He does not lose time in useless discussion, and goes straight to the heart of the matter. Instead of responding and of discussing the affair of the tribute to Caesar, He asks to be shown a coin and He asks, “Whose portrait and inscription is this?” They answered: “Caesar’s!” The answer of Jesus: “Then pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. In practice, they already recognized the authority of Caesar. They were already giving to Caesar what belonged to Caesar, because they used his currency, his money to buy and to sell and even to pay the taxes of the Temple! What interested Jesus was that they give “to God what belongs to God!, that is, that they restore the people to God, from their deviation, because with their teaching they blocked the entrance into the Kingdom (Mk 23:13). Others explained this statement of Jesus in another way: “Give to God what belongs to God!”, that is, practice justice and honesty as the Law of God demands, because your hypocrisy denies to God what is due to Him. The disciples have to be aware!
• Taxes, tributes, taxes and denarii. In Jesus’ time, the people of Palestine paid many taxes, tributes and the tenth part of their income, both to the Romans as well as to the Temple. The Roman Empire had invaded Palestine in the year 63 A.D. and they imposed many taxes and tributes. According to the estimates made, half or even more of the family salaries were used to pay the tributes, taxes and the tenth of their income. The taxes which the Romans demanded were of two types: direct and indirect.
a) The Direct tax was on property and on persons. The tax on property (tributum soli): the fiscal officers of the government verified how large the property was, the production and the number of slaves and they fixed the amount to be paid. Periodically, there was a verification through the census. The tax on persons (tributum capitis): was for the poor class who owned no land. This included both men and women, between 12 and 65 years of age. It was a tax on the force of work; 20% of the income of every person was used to pay taxes.
b) The Indirect tax was placed on transactions of different types. Crown of gold: originally, it was a question of a gift to the Emperor, but then it became an obligatory tax. This was paid on special occasions, for example: the feast and the visits of the Emperor. The tax on salt: The salt was the monopoly of the Emperor. It was necessary to pay the tribute on the salt for commercial use, for example, the salt used by fishermen to dry up the fish and to sell it. From this comes the word “salary”. A tax on buying and selling: for every commercial use 1% was paid. This money was paid to the fiscal officers during the holidays. When a slave was bought they demanded 4%. In every registered commercial contract, they demanded 2%. The tax for exercising a profession: There was need for everyone to have a license for everything. For example, a cobbler in the city of Palmira paid one denarius a month. A denarius was equivalent to the salary of one day. And even the prostitutes had to pay. A tax for the use of public utilities: Emperor Vespasian introduced the tax to be able to use the public toilets in Rome. He would say, “Money does not stink!”
c) Other taxes and obligations: toll or customs; forced work; Special expenses for the army (to give hospitality to the soldiers; to pay for the food of the troops); Taxes for the Temple and the worship.
• Mark 12:13-14: The question of the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Pharisees and the Herodians were the local leaders in the villages of Galilee. It was a long time since they had decided to kill Jesus (Mk 3: 6). Now, because of the order of the priests and of the elders, they want to know if Jesus is in favor or against the payment of taxes to the Romans, to Caesar. An underhanded or sly question, full of malice! Under the appearance of fidelity to the Law of God, they look for reasons in order to be able to accuse Him. If Jesus says, “You should pay!” they could accuse Him of being a friend of the Romans. If He said, “No, you do not have to pay!” they could accuse Him to the authority of the Romans of being subversive. This seemed to be a dead alley!
• Mark 12:15-17: Jesus’ answer. Jesus perceives their hypocrisy. In His response He does not lose time in useless discussion, and goes straight to the heart of the matter. Instead of responding and of discussing the affair of the tribute to Caesar, He asks to be shown a coin and He asks, “Whose portrait and inscription is this?” They answered: “Caesar’s!” The answer of Jesus: “Then pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. In practice, they already recognized the authority of Caesar. They were already giving to Caesar what belonged to Caesar, because they used his currency, his money to buy and to sell and even to pay the taxes of the Temple! What interested Jesus was that they give “to God what belongs to God!, that is, that they restore the people to God, from their deviation, because with their teaching they blocked the entrance into the Kingdom (Mk 23:13). Others explained this statement of Jesus in another way: “Give to God what belongs to God!”, that is, practice justice and honesty as the Law of God demands, because your hypocrisy denies to God what is due to Him. The disciples have to be aware!
• Taxes, tributes, taxes and denarii. In Jesus’ time, the people of Palestine paid many taxes, tributes and the tenth part of their income, both to the Romans as well as to the Temple. The Roman Empire had invaded Palestine in the year 63 A.D. and they imposed many taxes and tributes. According to the estimates made, half or even more of the family salaries were used to pay the tributes, taxes and the tenth of their income. The taxes which the Romans demanded were of two types: direct and indirect.
a) The Direct tax was on property and on persons. The tax on property (tributum soli): the fiscal officers of the government verified how large the property was, the production and the number of slaves and they fixed the amount to be paid. Periodically, there was a verification through the census. The tax on persons (tributum capitis): was for the poor class who owned no land. This included both men and women, between 12 and 65 years of age. It was a tax on the force of work; 20% of the income of every person was used to pay taxes.
b) The Indirect tax was placed on transactions of different types. Crown of gold: originally, it was a question of a gift to the Emperor, but then it became an obligatory tax. This was paid on special occasions, for example: the feast and the visits of the Emperor. The tax on salt: The salt was the monopoly of the Emperor. It was necessary to pay the tribute on the salt for commercial use, for example, the salt used by fishermen to dry up the fish and to sell it. From this comes the word “salary”. A tax on buying and selling: for every commercial use 1% was paid. This money was paid to the fiscal officers during the holidays. When a slave was bought they demanded 4%. In every registered commercial contract, they demanded 2%. The tax for exercising a profession: There was need for everyone to have a license for everything. For example, a cobbler in the city of Palmira paid one denarius a month. A denarius was equivalent to the salary of one day. And even the prostitutes had to pay. A tax for the use of public utilities: Emperor Vespasian introduced the tax to be able to use the public toilets in Rome. He would say, “Money does not stink!”
c) Other taxes and obligations: toll or customs; forced work; Special expenses for the army (to give hospitality to the soldiers; to pay for the food of the troops); Taxes for the Temple and the worship.
4) Personal questions
• Do you know some case of groups or of people who were enemies
among themselves, but who were then united to follow an honest person who
bothered or inconvenienced and denounced them? Has this happened any time with
you?
• What is the meaning of this sentence today: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”?
• What is the meaning of this sentence today: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”?
5) Concluding Prayer
Each morning fill us with Your faithful love,
we shall sing and be happy all our days;
Show your servants the deeds You do,
let their children enjoy your splendor! (Ps 90:14, 16)
we shall sing and be happy all our days;
Show your servants the deeds You do,
let their children enjoy your splendor! (Ps 90:14, 16)
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