Tuesday 2 June

Today is Tuesday the 2 June, in the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time.

  Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘We Nhliziyo yami’: ‘O my heart be wise when your enemies surround you. Keep praying; ask the Lord for help.  For he is powerful. That is your weapon; do not lose it.  Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’  

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.  

Mark 12:13-17

  Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?"   But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it." And they brought one. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor’s."  Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s." And they were utterly amazed at him.  

What do you notice in this reading?  About the people questioning Jesus?  About Jesus’s attitude to them?  

Jesus knew they were trying to trap him. How do you feel about Jesus’s response?   

As you listen again, try to imagine the scene … the way in which people were speaking … how Jesus was looking at them as they spoke … their reactions as Jesus responded …  

Imagine that you are there after this conversation has taken place.  What do you want to say to Jesus?  How does Jesus respond to you?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.