NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Tuesday

Year II

Readings

First Reading
2 Pt 3:12–15a, 17–18

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 90:2, 3–4, 10, 14 and 16

Gospel
Mk 12:13–17

Meditation on Today’s Readings

Taken from the Vatican II Sunday and Weekday Missal
Written by Celia Sirois

The tax this Gospel story mentions was a poll tax the Romans levied on all the people of Judea. It caused controversy among the Jews because of its political and religious implications. Paying the tax would seem to support the political claim of Rome. Because it had to be paid in Roman currency the tax also carried the implication of idolatry, for the coin was inscribed with the words “Tiberius Caesar, august son of the divine Augustus.” Jesus’ answer spoke to both levels of the debate. His “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar” allowed for limited cooperation with Rome, which was the position of the Pharisees as well. His reference to “what belongs to God” (in Greek, “the things of God”) made a subtle but significant religious distinction. Since all things belong to God, all things are owed God.

This story is often used to define Christian duty to God and nation—as if the two were on a par. This is not the meaning of Jesus’ answer. Since as Peter says we “await new heavens and a new earth,” we must, with the conscientiousness of Tobit, continually assess where our allegiance to the state must yield to the absolute claim of God.

The copyright for the Sunday Missal Introductions is:
Copyright (c) 2001, Daughters of St. Paul
The copyright for the Weekday Missal Introduction is:
Copyright (c) 2002, Daughters of St. Paul