DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 8, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. JOHN OF GOD, RELIGIOUS
TUESDAY 9TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Tb 2:9-14 / Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 / Mk 12:13-17

TOBIT 2:9-14
That same night, after I had buried the body, I returned home. I
washed myself and went out into the courtyard to sleep against the
wall; my face was uncovered because of the heat. I did not see that
there were sparrows on the wall of the courtyard and, as my eyes were
open, the hot droppings from the sparrows fell into my eyes and formed
a white film on my eyes. I went to find doctors to attend to me for
medical treatment but the more ointments they smeared on my eyes, the
more blind I became because of the film. Finally I became totally
blind. I suffered from blindness for four years. All my brothers were
burdened because of me. Ahikar kept me for two years before he
departed for Elymiade. My wife Anna worked hard at a woman's task,
weaving. On the seventh day of the month of March she cut the cloth
and delivered it to her employers. They paid her wages and gave her,
over and above, a young goat for food. When she returned home the kid
began to cry. I said to her, "Where does the little kid come from? Did
you steal it? Return it to its owners for we are not allowed to eat
anything that is stolen." But she said, "It is a gift which has been
given to me in addition to my wages." "I don't believe it. I tell you
to return it to its owners." I was ashamed of her. She replied, "What
about your own almsgiving and your good deeds? I have to put up with
all this from you."

MARK 12:13-17
Jewish leaders sent to Jesus some Pharisees with members of Herod's
par t y, with the purpose of trapping him in his own words. They came
and said to Jesus, "Master, we know that you are true; you are not
influenced by anyone, and your answers do not vary according to who is
listening to you but you truly teach God's way. Tell us, is it against
the Law to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?" But Jesus
saw through their trick and answered, "Why are you testing me? Bring
me a silver coin and let me see it." They brought him one and Jesus
asked, "Whose head is this, and whose name?" They answered,
"Caesar's." Then Jesus said, "Return to Caesar what is Caesar's, and
to God what is God's." And they were greatly astonished.

REFLECTION
The mission of Jesus to bring the message of God's love to the world
was an uphill battle fought against the condemnation coming from the
religious leaders of the Jews. Death threats followed him as he made
his way across Palestine preaching the Good News.

The Pharisees specially were on a mission – to trap Jesus into
publicly declaring opinions that would cause him to be sentenced to
death. They first resorted to flattery, ostentatiously to keep Jesus
off-guard for the loaded question to follow: "Is it right to pay taxes
to Rome or not?"

A sly question, a double-edged sword from which they thought no escape
was possible. If Jesus said "Yes" he would be betraying his own
people, the Jews, who would then consider him a traitor. If he said
"No" they could have the Romans declare him a revolutionary, deserving
death.

Jesus saw through their treachery and asked to be shown a Roman coin.
He questions – "Whose picture and title are on it?" They reply: "The
Emperor's." And Jesus rebukes them with the incomparable wit of
divinity. "Therefore give to the Emperor what is his and everything
else that belongs to God must be given to God."

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Nel de Leon
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Ely Lara
- Bert Villacorta
- Lydia Pe
- Juday Pe
- Marge, Pam, Maria, KD, Kristin, Alex, John C & Mary T
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
… for the personal intentions of Titong V.
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Bill L, Marge G, Jimmy, Kathy
& John M. Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine
upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Lanny Nañagas
- In Memoriam (+): Francisco T. Ong Sr.
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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