Mark 12:13-17

2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18

Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, in every age you have been our refuge. You are the eternal God and I am your humble creature. I am in this world as a pilgrim and long for my home. I do not belong to this passing world. I belong to you and am yours.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Give the Image of Caesar to Caesar: The Gospel of Mark narrates three attempts to test and ensnare Jesu on the same day. Jesus, the Son of David, has entered the city of Jerusalem as a King (Mark 11:1-11), purified the old Temple (11:15-19), and alluded to himself as the cornerstone of a new Temple (Mark 12:10-11). Jesus is acting here like a New Solomon. His actions and words provoke the religious 1leaders to question and try to undermine Jesus’ authority. They test him and hope to trap Jesus in his speech. In his responses, Jesus will show that his wisdom far surpasses that of Solomon. Just as the devil tempted and tested Jesus in the desert at the beginning of the Gospel (Mark 1:12-13), Jesus will be tested three times by the religious authorities. The first of three tests comes from the Pharisees and Herodians. They represent opposite ends of the political spectrum. The Herodians supported Herod Antipas and were willing to cooperate with Rome. The Pharisees sought to separate themselves from any contact with the Gentiles and wanted nothing to do with Rome. If Jesus says to pay taxes to Caesar, the Pharisees will go before the people and accuse Jesus of violating God’s law, committing blasphemy, and supporting the Roman occupation. If Jesus says it is unlawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Herodians will denounce Jesus to the Roman authorities and hope they will imprison Jesus for treason. Jesus knows they are testing him and asks to see a denarius. On one side the coin proclaims Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the divine Augustus. On the other side, the coin proclaims Caesar as the High Priest (Pontifex Maximus) meaning that he is the supreme mediator between human beings and the gods. “Tiberius’s claim of divinity was a way of promoting the emperor worship that was widespread in Roman civic religion, but was an abomination to Jews. Jesus’ questioners bring him a denarius, revealing that they were carrying the idolatrous coin within the temple precincts” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 241). In response to Jesus’ question, the Pharisees and Herodians acknowledge that the image and inscription are Caesar’s. Jesus then resolves the dilemma: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

2. Give the Image of God to the Lord: Jesus tells the Pharisees especially that they are to give back to Caesar. And he tells the Herodians especially that they are to give to God what belongs to God. Caesar has placed his image on a coin. The Lord God has placed his image in human beings. The elements, minerals, plants, and brute animals do not bear the image of God. Human beings and angels are spiritual creatures, endowed with intellect and freedom and capable of knowing and loving God. On the one hand, we are called to be faithful citizens while on this earth. It is an act of justice to pay our taxes and work with public authorities to create a more just and charitable society. On the other hand, we are called to offer ourselves, all that we are, to God. We are called to love God above all things with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

3. Be Prepared: Our First Reading is the conclusion of the Second Letter of Peter, which we began yesterday. It turns our thoughts to the second coming (advent) of Jesus and the definitive end of the old creation. Through his life, passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the New Creation, the New Heavens and the New Earth. What Jesus inaugurated with his first advent, he will bring to conclusion with his second advent. While we are in this world – raising our families, working, and paying taxes – we are to be patient as we await our definitive encounter with God. Saint Peter encourages us to be eager to be found without spot or blemish before God, to be at peace, and to consider the patience of God as salvation. We are also to be on guard not to be led into error by false teachers. Rather than stray from the path and sin, we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. One day, after a life of giving ourselves to God, we hope to behold the glory of God and share in God’s eternal life.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you offer me true wisdom, the heavenly wisdom that leads me to eternal life. Your words remain with me and guide my actions. I need to imitate you in all that I do. Help me to be a good earthly citizen who works for a more just and charitable society. And lead me to be a good citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Living the Word of God: Do I give to Caesar what is Caesar’s? Am I a responsible citizen who contributes according to my talents and abilities? Do I truly give to God what is God’s? What am I holding back?