From: Mark 12:13-17

On Tribute to Caesar

[13] And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to
entrap him in his talk. [14] And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know
that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men,
but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? [15]
Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to
them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin and let me look at it.” [16] And
they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
They said to him, “Caesar’s.” [17] Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were
amazed at him.

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Commentary:

13-17. Jesus uses this situation to teach that man belongs totally to his Creator:
“You must perforce give Caesar the coin which bears his likeness, but let you
give your whole being to God, because it is his likeness, not Caesar’s that you
bear” (St Jerome, “Comm. in Marcum, in loc.”).

Our Lord here asserts a principle which should guide the action of Christians in
public life. The Church recognizes the rightful autonomy of earthly realities, but
this does not mean that she has not a responsibility to light them up with the
light of the Gospel. When they work shoulder to shoulder with other citizens to
develop society, Christian lay people should bring a Christian influence to bear:
“If the role of the Hierarchy is to teach and to interpret authentically the norms
of morality to be followed in this matter, it belongs to lay people, without waiting
passively for orders and directives, to take the initiative freely and to infuse a
Christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws and structures of the commu-
nity in which they live. Changes are necessary, basic reforms are indispensable;
lay people should strive resolutely to permeate them with the spirit of the Gospel”
(Paul VI, “Populorum Progressio”, 81).

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and by Scepter Publishers in the United States

Readings at Mass

First reading

Tobit 2:9-14 ©

I, Tobit, took a bath; then I went into the courtyard and lay down by the courtyard wall. Since it was hot I left my face uncovered. I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall above my head; their hot droppings fell into my eyes. White spots then formed, which I was obliged to have treated by the doctors. But the more ointments they tried me with, the more the spots blinded me, and in the end I became blind altogether. I remained without sight four years; all my brothers were distressed; and Ahikar provided for my upkeep for two years, till he left for Elymais.

My wife Anna then undertook woman’s work; she would spin wool and take cloth to weave; she used to deliver whatever had been ordered from her and then receive payment. Now on March the seventh she finished a piece of work and delivered it to her customers. They paid her all that was due, and into the bargain presented her with a kid for a meal. When the kid came into my house, it began to bleat. I called to my wife and said, ‘Where does this creature come from? Suppose it has been stolen! Quick, let the owners have it back; we have no right to eat stolen goods.’ She said, ‘No, it was a present given me over and above my wages.’ I did not believe her, and told her to give it back to the owners (I blushed at this in her presence). Then she answered, ‘What about your own alms? What about your own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.’

Psalm

Psalm 111:1-2,7-9 ©

With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

Alleluia!

Happy the man who fears the Lord,

who takes delight in all his commands.

His sons will be powerful on earth;

the children of the upright are blessed.

With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

Alleluia!

He has no fear of evil news;

with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

With a steadfast heart he will not fear;

he will see the downfall of his foes.

With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

Alleluia!

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;

his justice stands firm for ever.

His head will be raised in glory.

With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Heb4:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of God is something alive and active:

it can judge secret emotions and thoughts.

Alleluia!

Or	cf.Ep1:17,18

Alleluia, alleluia!

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

enlighten the eyes of our mind,

so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.

Alleluia!

Gospel

The chief priests and the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him, ‘Master, we know you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s 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, yes or no?’ Seeing through their hypocrisy he said to them, ‘Why do you set this trap for me? Hand me a denarius and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’ This reply took them completely by surprise.