First Reading - Tobit 2:9-14
Gospel - Mark 12:13-17
The first reading continues with the story of Tobit. The passage of yesterday clearly sheds light on the faithfulness of Tobit in terms of observance of the Law. However, today's pericope tragic moments of the faithful servant. He becomes blind and remains blind for almost four years; even medical assistance failed to cure him. Consequently, the responsibility of the house rested on his wife. It's fascinating to observe that even though Tobit had become blind despite his faithfulness to God but still didn't tolerate evil action as is seen in the story. He realized that there was a kid in the house but presuming to have been stolen by her wife, insisted her to return that back to the owner. His wife insistently tried to tell Tobit that that kid was the price of her work but Tobit couldn't believe it. Finally, the sarcastic comment of his wife reminds us about the story of righteous Job, who was labeled to have been punished for his sins despite his insistence that his misery was not the result of his sins. This makes it clear that reality of suffering is a mystery which can occur to anyone.
In the gospel passage, Jesus deals with a tricky trap of the Pharisees and Herodians sent by the leaders. The trap was regarding the Taxes: "Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, yes or no?" The prima facie, answer may look very obvious to us. But the problem lies in the historical setting. Jews, during the time of Jesus, was under Roman emperor but they greatly repulsed it and didn't wish to actively use the Roman coins for temple taxes as it bore the inscription of Roman emperor with the title ‘Caesar Divi Filius’, ‘Caesar son of the god’. The answer of Jesus could put him in trouble against any of the two groups. His rejection to give taxes to Caesar would mean insurgence or treason, but on the other side, his approval would have resulted in his being against Jews and could have earned hatred of Jews. The reply of Jesus silenced his adversaries. Jesus clearly states that what belongs to Caesar to to him which would mean being loyal to the state and 'giving to God what belongs to God' which means being loyal to God. This always means that what we need to offer to God is not merely money or valuable materials but the demand is greater: It's self.
Dear friends, the life is full of mysteries: mystery of birth, mystery of suffering, mystery of death, mysteries of faith etc. We do strive to understand them but only to know a bit of it. What do we need to do? Continue to live our lives with acceptance and offer it to God. The first reading sets an example for us. Tobit kept the Law, when he blind blind, still he continued to walk in the path of righteousness. This is a beautiful example for us to continue to live our lives in the midst of uncertainties, distress, sorrows and pains without being swerved from the right path. We don't understand 'why' of every situation but we can continue to walk in the path of goodness although it can be hard but it gives assurance of God's justice.
In the gospel, Jesus teaches us to offer to God what belongs to God. It is vital to ask ourselves: What belongs to God of me? What is that which I can offer to God? Surely, not money and our possessions belong to God but we belong to God. Therefore, our every offering should be of the self. We need to offer ourselves to God everyday. We need to offer all that we do and undergo. This offering of the self is more valuable to God than any thing.
Let's pray that we may be able to walk the path of righteousness by offering ourselves to God.
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