Tuesday 4 June 2024

Today is Tuesday 4 June, in the 9th week of Ordinary Time.

One Hope Project sings, ‘Good Work In Me’. What good work is God doing in your life at the moment?

Everything I have within
And all that is before me
Meet me in this broken place
Transform it for Your glory
I lay this life downfall into You now
A sacrifice of praise
Surrender to You, my loving Savior
I trust in Your great name
You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus
You are all I need
Your love will satisfy
I trust the plans You have for me
I will stand upon the promise
You've not forsaken me
You walk beside me in the waiting
You are doing a good work in me
Now when I'm faced with trials
I will choose your joy each morning
I trust You, though I'm terrified
So use me for Your glory
I lay this life downfall into You now
A sacrifice of praise
Surrender to You, my loving Savior
I trust in Your great name
You will meet me in my hurting, Jesus
You are all I need
Your love will satisfy
I trust the plans You have for me
I will stand upon the promise
You've not forsaken me
You walk beside me in the waiting
You are doing a good work in me
You are a God of transformation
Your presence carries restoration
You deserve my praise
There's power in Your name
You are a God of transformation
Your presence carries restoration
You deserve my praise
There's power in Your name
You'll meet me in my hurting, Jesus
You are all I need
Your love will satisfy
I trust the plans You have for me
I will stand upon the promise
You've not forsaken me
You walk beside me in the waiting
You are doing a good work in me




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.


Mark 12:13-17
Then they sent to him 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.

Clearly, Jesus isn’t easily fooled by those crafty Pharisees and Herodians! He knows how people can conceal an insult by wrapping it in false flattery. “Teacher, we know that you are sincere … and teach the way of God” … Have there been times when someone has spoken to you in this way? What was that like for you? Perhaps Jesus felt the same way…

Sometimes a person may seem to have more knowledge than us, or a special gift, or a particular experience that we might not have. When this happens, are you able to just rejoice in the gifts of others? Or do you find this difficult?

As you listen again to the passage, notice how Jesus deals with this flattery and trickery – notice his attitude to all of this.

Why not speak to Jesus now about how he handles his critics? Tell him what you like or admire about his approach. Ask him to help you be more like him in that particular way.

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.