Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Our Gospel for Mar 8. Paying Taxes to the Emperor.

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.

Pagbabayad ng Buwis-pandayuhan kay Cesar
 Marcos 12:13-17 
 Isinugo nila kay Jesus ang ilan sa mga Fariseo at ilan sa mga Herodiano upang hulihin siya sa kaniyang salita. Lumapit sila kay Jesus at sinabi: Guro, alam naming ang sinasabi mo ay totoo. Alam din namin na hindi ka nagtatangi ng sinuman sapagkat hindi ka tumitingin sa panlabas na anyo ng mga tao. Sa halip ay itinuturo mo ang daan ng Diyos ayon sa katotohanan. Naaayon ba sa kautusan na magbigay kami kay Cesar ng buwis-pandayuhan o hindi? 
Dapat ba tayong magbigay nito o hindi?
   Ngunit alam ni Jesus ang kanilang pagpapaimbabaw. Sinabi niya sa kanila: Bakit ninyo ako sinusubok? Dalhan ninyo ako ng isang denaryo upang makita ko. At dinalhan nila siya nito. Sinabi niya sa kanila: Kaninong anyo ang narito at patungkol kanino ang nakasulat dito?
   Sinabi nila: Kay Cesar.

Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: Ibigay nga ninyo kay Cesar ang mga bagay na nauukol kay Cesar. Ibigay ninyo sa Diyos ang mga bagay na nauukol sa Diyos.
   At namangha sila sa kaniya.

1 comment:

Ed Lucena said...

We cannot rely on money or power or any weapon to be our defense in life. “Useless is the horse for safety,” says the Psalmist, “its great strength, no sure escape” (Ps 33:17).

We can see the nerve wracking devastation of the earthquake and the Tsunami that greatly affected the center of Japan. We must remember that no amount of world super power can defend itself from calamities coming their way.

Only the truth will set us free. Only a pure heart and good intention can see us through. Seek no ill will, hide nothing, and favor no one—these are the marks of real good people.

Material things are temporary. We must build our heavenly treasure while we are still on earth.

Heavenly Father, please spare our country from similar calamities that devastated Japan. Please extend your patience on all of your people. Grant that we may truly see your heavenly kingdom here on earth.

Please bless us all forever!

Post a Comment

Please type your sharing/reflection here.