November 20, 2022
Gospel – 6/2/20 – 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.
Jesus once again, recognizing deceit, speaks not a lot of words. He shows them them a simple coin and has them destroy their own trap.
In this world, there are laws needed to keep order. We need to follow those laws – unless – they are in opposition to God’s laws.
When we say it is ok to euthanize the elderly – it’s in opposition of God’s law. If we say it’s ok to tear out a life from the womb when it is simply a desire to reject the natural beauty of a choice made – it goes against God’s law.
Render unto Caesar but know that we all answer unto God.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…
What I Heard Him Say 