DGeMs- Daily Gospel eMessage
Dear Friend in the Lord,
Hypocrisy – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus knew that the Pharisees’ and Herodians’ praises were hypocritical, as they intended to set Jesus up against the Roman authorities, regarding the payment of taxes. Ponder on, “God knows our hearts’ intentions and desires. Are we hypocritical or sincere in the way we live our faith?”
Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Mark 12:13-17
The chief priests and the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pjsrisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him, ‘Master, we know that 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?
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.