June 7, 2015

Corpus Christi

June 7, 2015:  Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

See 15 links between this picture
and today's Bible readings and celebration?
Legend below

Listen

For Psalm 116

Pope Francis



Corpus Christi homily delivered Thursday


To Sarajevo youth:  Act with honesty and integrity, build bridges between people, and help to promote a culture of peace.  Don't flee, become self-absorbed, take refuge in alcohol, drugs, hatred, or violence, but let your faith flourish without fear, and sow seeds of a more just, fraternal, welcoming, and peaceful society.  If you're open to Christ, you'll overcome pessimism and become prophets and witnesses to hope.
To Sarajevo priests and religious:
Tireless spirit of service through sufferings, trials:  Though you've lived through trials, you endured, and worked hard to confront challenges.  Given the small minority of Catholics here, I can imagine how you could feel like Jesus’ disciples who caught no fish all night.  Abandon yourselves to trust in God to serve the Lord with joy, sowing hope.
Holiness begets holiness:  Be witnesses to fraternity and recall that if you want to help others become holy, don't neglect your own holiness. Be especially close to the poor and needy.  Meet people, even those who haven't heard of Christ, where they live.  Be ministers of hope, care for the sheep, and search for those who await the Good News but don't know where to find it.
Lay faithful and the Church’s mission:  Form Catholics in the faith; encourage lay faithful to be protagonists in our evangelizing mission.  Develop communities capable of courageous witness.
Empathize and help:  Live people's anguish and hope; work despite tensions, discord, suspicions, insecurities, and poverty.  Empathize; there's no greater witness than being close to people's needs.  Open your heart to all who ask for help, even those who need it but are ashamed to ask.
Humility vs self-absorbed elite:  Don't become a self-absorbed elite; your ministry should be one of joy, and its effectiveness the fruit of a humble life.
In difficulty or when you feel powerless, turn in childlike trust to Mary.  As a mother, she wants to transmit to us the secret of genuine faith; even a grain of it can move mountains.
Read
  • Ex 24:3-8  People to Moses:  "We'll do all the Lord has told us."  Moses wrote down the Lord's words, erected an altar, had young Israelites offer sacrifice as peace offerings, put half the blood in large bowls and splashed the rest on the altar, took the book of the covenant, and read it to the people, who answered, "All the Lord has said, we'll heed and do."  He sprinkled the blood on the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant the Lord has made with you in accordance with his word."
  • Ps 116:12-13, 15-18  How shall I make a return to the Lord for the good he's done for me?  "I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord."  Precious in God's eyes is the death of his faithful.  I am your servant; you loosed my bonds.  I'll offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay my vows to you....
  • Heb 9:11-15  When Christ came as high priest, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with goat or calf blood but with his own, thus obtaining redemption.  For if goat and bull blood and ash sprinkling can sanctify the defiled, how much more will Christ's blood cleanse us to worship God.  Christ is mediator of a new covenant:  since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first, the called may receive the promised inheritance.
  • Sequence - Lauda Sion  ...The Bread of Angels is made pilgrims' food: let the Bread of children not be cast to dogs.  It was prefigured when Isaac was immolated, when the Paschal Lamb was sacrificed, when manna was given to our ancestors.  Good Shepherd, True Bread, Jesus, have mercy on us, feed us, protect us, and make us see good things in the land of the living.  You who know and can do all things, who feed us, make us your guests, co-heirs, and companions of the citizens of heaven.  (see Britt, The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal, Benziger 1922, pp. 181-184)
  • Mk 14:12-16, 22-26  After they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus told his disciples to where to prepare for the Passover meal.  During the meal, he took, blessed, and broke bread, and gave it to them to eat, saying "This is my body."  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them to drink, saying, "This is my blood of the covenant...."
Reflect
    • Creighton:  Corpus Christi processions give testimony to the centrality of the Eucharist in the Church and to our abundant joy as individuals and a faith community, showing both the gift of the Eucharist and being ourselves the Body of Christ.  Blood and covenant unite today's readings:  God invited the people into blood-sealed covenant relationship; God and Israel committed themselves to one another.  Jesus is depicted as high priest who offered himself to God, presenting his blood to him for the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus offered bread and wine as his body and blood, calling the wine “my blood of the covenant,”
    The Last Supper/ de Boulogne
    God invites us into a special relationship with him, a "new covenant."  Freed from what constrains us, especially sin, we're to bear witness to God’s love.  As the psalm suggests, we're to be a Eucharistic people in the presence of all.  Does my life reflect the joy of knowing and receiving the love Jesus poured out?  Do I appreciate that Holy Communion makes me part of a community that becomes the body of Christ we consume in the Eucharist? Do I bring this gift to others at home, work, and beyond?  Are we becoming a people who through our self-giving love bear witness to God?
    • One Bread One Body:  "Decide" to live the "mystery of faith" in the body and blood of Jesus and center your life on him.
    • Passionist:  I think of communion as a mystery; receiving it awakens in me my connection to God, Christ, and you, but the communion as broken....
    • DailyScripture.net:  When Jesus commands us to eat his flesh and drink his blood, he invites us to take his life into the center of our being.  Each Eucharist is a remembrance of Jesus' death, resurrection, and promise to return, anticipating the heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb and his Bride.  Jesus tied the last supper with his death and the coming of the Kingdom.  Jesus transformed the "old covenant" passover into the "new covenant" meal:  in the old covenant, bread and wine were offered in a thanksgiving sacrifice to acknowledge God as giver and sustainer of life.  The bread and wine offering of priest and king Melchizedek prefigured high priest and king Jesus' offering.  The manna in the wilderness recalled that we live not by bread alone but by the Word of God.  The Passover bread and desert manna are the pledge of God's faithfulness.  The "cup of blessing" at Passover points to the messianic expectation of the rebuilding of Jerusalem.  Jesus gave a new meaning to the blessing of the bread and the cup; his blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.  He made himself an offering and sacrifice, a gift pleasing to the Father.
      When we receive Communion, we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood, the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ" (Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Eph. 20:2).  This food is healing for body and soul and strength for our journey.  The Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments and to be more firmly rooted in Christ's love.
        • Robert of Newminster, priest, Benedictine abbot
        Dress legend
        • 'Quill pen and tablet' pin:  Moses wrote down the Lord's words.  (1st reading)
        • 'Bull' tie pin:  He sent men to sacrifice bulls to the Lord (1st reading)
        • 'Phone' tie bar:  I'll 'call' on the Lord's name (psalm)
        • 'Eyeball' pin:  Precious in the Lord's eyes is the death of his faithful (psalm)
        • 'Blood drop' pin:  He put blood in bowls, splashed it on the altar, and sprinkled it on the people (1st reading); Christ entered the sanctuary not with goat or calf blood but his own (2nd reading)
        • 'Dogs' tie:  Don't let the bread of children be cast to the dogs (sequence)
        • 'Lamb' and 'sheep' tie bars:  Christ, Paschal Lamb, Good Shepherd (sequence); they sacrificed the Passover lamb (gospel)
          • 'Wheat' pin:  Jesus took bread...  (gospel)
          • 'Silverware' tie bar:  "Take and eat" (gospel)
          • Red and white shirt:  red for blood, white for today's feast
          • Green in tie and suspenders:  Ordinary Time season
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          June 6, 2015

          June 6

          June 6, 2015:  Saturday, 9th week, Ordinary Time
          • 'Angel' pin: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels..." (1st reading)



          • 'Coin' button: Poor widow put in two small coins, her livelihood (gospel)


          • Green shirt: Ordinary Time season


          Listen



           Pope Francis
          Become artisans of peace (Sarajevo homily):  Peace is God’s dream and plan, but it meets opposition.   War means people in refugee camps, forced displacement, destroyed houses and factories, and shattered lives.  War never again!  Jesus' words resound: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” not, “Blessed are the preachers of peace.”  Crafting peace is skilled work requiring passion, patience, experience, and tenacity.  Blessed are those who sow peace by their daily actions, their attitudes and acts of kindness, fraternity, dialogue, mercy...  God sows peace, always, everywhere; in the fullness of time, he sowed in the world his Son, that we might have peace!  Peacemaking is work to be advanced daily.
          “The effect of righteousness will be peace”.  Opus justitiae pax:  peace is a work of justice, justice lived out.  The ultimate fulfilment of justice is love.  When we love, things change, because we change!  Those I considered my enemy have my face, heart, soul, and Father.  Justice is doing to them what I'd want them to do to me.  “Put on... compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearance,...  forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you.”  That's necessary to become artisans of peace in our daily lives.  But it doesn't all depend on us!  Peace is God's gift; his Spirit can imprint these attitudes in us and make us instruments of peace.  Lord, give us a simple heart, patience, and grace to be merciful and work for justice and peace.
          Read
          • Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20  Raphael:  God's works are to be declared, made known, and praised.  Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.  Prayer and fasting are good, almsgiving with righteousness even better.  Almsgiving saves you from death, expiates sin, and gives you a full life.  I presented your prayers to God.  I was sent to put you to the test, and God commissioned me to heal you and Sarah.  I am Raphael, one of the seven angels....  Praise God.
          • Tb 13:2, 6efgh, 7-8  "Blessed be God, who lives for ever," scourges then has mercy, casts down then raises up.  Consider what he's done for you.
          • Mk 12:38-44  Jesus:  “Beware of the scribes, who go around in robes who accept seats of honor and recite long prayers while devouring widows' houses.”   He observed how the rich put large sums into the treasury while a poor widow put in two small coins.  “This poor widow put in more than all the others; they contributed from their surplus, but she contributed all she had, her livelihood.”
          Reflect

          • Creighton:  You’ll love giving, even more if you don’t tell anybody about it....
          • One Bread One Body:  "Your practical act of faith":  Angel Raphael told Tobit and Tobiah that almsgiving saves you from death and expiates sin.  We shouldn't give alms in place of faith but as an act of faith.  What's a great, practical act of faith I can do?
            Widow's Mite/ Christensen

          • Passionist:  Jesus encourages us to pray and fast and stresses we're to do good to others. He censures the Scribes with their long robes who accept honors, while the working poor can't afford fine clothes and are ignored, and praises the poor widow who emptied herself, as Jesus would in the ultimate act of almsgiving. The Scribes were self-centered; Jesus was others-centered.  Almsgiving expresses our gratitude for God's gifts and acknowledges it's not just “me and God”;  I'm a member of a faith community and called to be a generous steward helping those in need.
          • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus warned against desire for prominence (vs. selfless service), desire for recognition (vs. promote others' good through service and love), using one's position for personal gain. Relate to God and others with love, honor, and respect; you'll be freed to give liberally to God and neighbor.  Love spends lavishly.  Jesus praised the poor widow over the rich; real giving is from the heart.  The cost to the giver means more than the amount.  What I have may look small, but if I put it at the Lord's disposal, God can work beyond our imagination.
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          June 5, 2015

          Boniface

          June 5, 2015:  St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

          • 'Eyeball' pin:  Tobit's sight restored (1st reading); the Lord gives sight to the blind (psalm)
          • 'Fish' tie pin:  Tobiah smeared fish gall onto Tobit's eyes... (1st reading)
          • 'Hands' tie:  ...with his hands; no one was leading Tobit by the hand (1st reading); "sit at my right hand..." (gospel)
          • 'Precious feet' pin:  ...till I place your enemies under your feet (gospel)
          • Red in shirt, 'blood drop' pin:  St. Boniface's martyrdom
          Listen

          Pope Francis

          Corpus Christi homily (we wait till Sunday, but the Vatican celebrated it yesterday):  Jesus gave his body and blood in bread and wine, leaving us a memorial of his sacrifice of love and giving us light and strength for our journey to extend God's kingdom to everyone.
          We're torn from Jesus when we disobey, race to occupy the first places, don't live as brothers and sisters, or don't offer hope.  The Eucharist, bond of communion, fulfillment of the Covenant, sign of Christ's sacrificial love, allows us to be not torn from him.  By participating in the Eucharist, we're inserted into a way that doesn't admit divisions.  Christ present in our midst requires that the power of love exceed every laceration and become communion with the poor, support for the weak, attention to the burdened.  Cowardice (svilirci) is letting our Christian dignity be watered down, is letting ourselves be affected by idolatries of appearance, consumption, selfishness, competitiveness, arrogance, or the idea I don't need to admit my mistakes or my need; it demeans us, makes us mediocre, lukewarm, insipid Christians.
          Jesus shed his blood as ransom and lavacrum (cleansing agent) that we might be purified of sin and not fall into cowardice, despair, or weakness.  Look to him, be preserved from corruption, and experience the grace of transformation:  we remain sinners, but he'll deliver us and give us back our dignity.  We can humbly bring God's love to others, being his eyes looking for Zacchaeus and the Magdalene, his hand helping the sick, and his heart loving those in need.  The Eucharist makes present the Covenant that unites us with God.
          Read
          • Tb 11:5-17  Tobiah arrived at Tobit and Anna's house.  Raphael had told him to smear fish gall on Tobit's eyes and peel off his cataracts.  Tobit's sight was restored, and he embraced his son and praised God.  He welcomed his daughter-in-law Sarah with great joy.
          • Ps 146:1b-2, 6c-10  "Praise the Lord, my soul!"  The Lord keeps faith, secures justice, feeds the hungry, frees captives, restores sight, raises those bowed down, loves the just, protects strangers, sustains the fatherless and widows....
          • Mk 12:35-37  Jesus:  “How do the scribes claim the Christ is the son of David?  David, inspired by the Spirit, called him ‘lord’, so how is he his son?”
          Reflect
            • One Bread One Body:  "Jesus is Lord":  Demons believe in God and address him as Son of God, and Holy One of God but never as Lord (since they'd rebelled against his Lordship).  "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord,' except in the Holy Spirit."  Am I living in the Spirit, obedient to Lord Jesus? 
              St. Boniface
            • Passionist:  I may have eyesight but sometimes lose sight of people I live, work, or otherwise interact with, not seeing them as they really are, ironically because we're familiar with them.  In the gospel Jesus sheds new light on a familiar passage.  Lord, open my eyes...
            • DailyScripture.net:  When David was anointed king, God established a covenant with him and promised that his dynasty would last. The Jews referred to the Messiah (Christ, the Anointed) as Son of David and looked forward to the Savior who would come from David's line.  Jesus asked his hearers about the Jews' claim that the Messiah would be son of David so they'd understand the Messiah is more than son of David.  Jesus, who took our human nature for our sake, is not only son of David but Son of God.  Jesus established his kingdom differently from what the Jews were expecting, ruling hearts and minds, not lands....
            • Universalis:  St. Boniface AKA Wynfrith, Benedictine monk, teacher, preacher, missionary, bishop, martyr
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            June 4, 2015

            June 4

            June 4, 2015:  Thursday, 9th week, Ordinary Time

            Find nine connections between the picture
            and today's Bible readings and celebration?
            Legend below
            Listen


            From the Vatican


             Corpus Christi, a musical meditation on the Fifth Mystery of Light, the institution of the Eucharist, based on O Sacrum Convivium.   (We celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, but in the Vatican it's celebrated today.)

            Evangelization prayer intention of Pope Francis: Vocations to priesthood or consecrated life.  Marriage, priesthood, and consecrated life are vocations, not careers.  The vocations of those called to be priests, sisters, and brothers begin with an encounter with Christ, followed by a deepening relationship that leads to the desire to give themselves to him totally.  I invite you all to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  God wants you to know his love and joy that create a “vocation culture” opening people to hear God’s call, though our values and materialism can make it hard for people to hear that call.  People encounter Christ in families, parish communities, and schools, are moved by his love, and respond by offering their lives in loving service.  May our prayers, encouragement, and joy move people to follow Jesus as brothers, sisters, and priests.  (Apostleship of Prayer) 
            Read
            • Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a  Raguel gives Sarah to Tobiah in marriage:  “She's yours.  May the Lord prosper you both.”  In the bedroom Tobiah and Sarah pray for mercy and deliverance:  “Blessed are You.  From your Adam and Eve came all humanity. I take my wife for a noble purpose.  Show us mercy and allow us to live a long and happy life.”
            • Ps 128:1-5  "Blessed are those who fear the Lord" and walk in his ways!  You'll eat the fruit of your handiwork.  Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, your children like olive plants.  The Lord bless you: may you see prosperity all your life. 
            • Mk 12:28-34  Scribe / Jesus:  “Which is the first of the commandments?” / “The Lord is Lord alone!  Love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The 2nd:  Love your neighbor as yourself.  No commandment is greater.” / “Well said.  Loving God and neighbor is worth more than all offerings and sacrifices.” / “You're not far from the Kingdom of God.”  No one dared to ask him anything else.
            Reflect
              • Creighton:  It’s amazing what can happen when people turn their fears over to God and invite him into their lives, as Tobiah and Sarah did.  When God calls me to something almost beyond our capability, will I trust enough to say yes, believe God will help us defeat the demons, and pray for courage and comfort?
              • One Bread One Body:  "God in the bedroom":  What happens in the bedroom affects our children, family, and the world too.  Will the world decide by observing your marriage that God is trustworthy?
              • Passionist:  "Loving Jesus…in Many Ways!"  Jesus' response to the scribe effectively united the two great commandments; we can't truly love God if we don't love people.  What's my love like?  Is God first?  Do I really love others?  Do I love myself, caring for my physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being?
              • DailyScripture.net:  God only requires that we love as he loves!  The more we know of God's love and truth, the more we love what he loves and reject what's contrary to his will.  Faith and hope strengthen us in love of God.  The better we know God, the more we love him and believe and hope in his promises. The Lord gives us freedom to love as he loves.  What keeps me from the love of God and the joy of generous service?
              Dress legend
              • 'Angel' pin:  Angel Raphael (1st reading)
              • 'Stick figures' tie pin:  "I've given Sarah to seven, but they all died their wedding night." (1st reading)
              • 'Hearts' suspenders:  "You are her love, and she is your beloved" (1st reading)
              • 'Hand' tie pin:  Raguel took his daughter Sarah by the hand and gave her to Tobiah...  (1st reading)
              • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  "May the God of heaven grant you peace and prosperity.” (1st reading)
              • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Tobiah and Sarah pray before making love (1st reading)
              • 'Walker' tie pin (disregard bowling ball or shot):  Blessed are you who walk in the Lord's ways (psalm)
              • 'Commandments' tie:  "Which is the first of the commandments?" (gospel)
              • Green in shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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              June 3, 2015

              Charles Lwanga et soc.

              June 3, 2015:  St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs


              • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Tobit's prayer (1st reading)
              • 'Scales of justice' tie:  "You are the judge of the world." (1st reading)
              • 'Angel' pin:  Angel Raphael healed Tobit and Sarah (1st reading)
              • 'Stick figures' tie pin:  There were seven brothers....  (gospel)
              • Red shirt, 'blood drop' pin:  Ugandan martyrs' witness to the death
              Listen

              Pope Francis audience
              Poverty afflicts too many families.  How much misery and degradation!  And in some areas there's even war, the ‘mother of poverties,’ impoverishing families and stealing lives, souls, feelings, and loved ones.  Many poor people persevere with dignity in horrible circumstances, often entrusting themselves to God's, but that shouldn't justify our indifference; it must increase our shame that so much poverty exists!  It’s a miracle that amidst such poverty families continue to be formed and sustained.  Those who consider family ties secondary with respect to quality of life just don't understand!
              Kneel before these families; they're a school of humanity and save us from barbarity.  Our economies often promote individual well-being at the expense of families, a grave contradiction as budgets count on work families carry out.  Look for ways to strengthen and support families, especially poorer ones.  Mother Church can never be blind to her children's sufferings; she too must be poor to become fruitful and to respond to misery.  Choose simplicity individually and institutionally, to break down walls of division, especially poverty.  Pray and act accordingly.
              Read

               For weekday
              • Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a  I, Tobit, wept and prayed:  “Lord, look with favor on me.   We sinned, so you made us the reproach of the nations.  Your judgments are true.  Deal with me as you please.  It's better for me to die; I'm overwhelmed with grief.  Deliver me from such anguish!”  Sarah also had to listen to abuse; she'd been married to seven husbands, but a wicked demon killed them before they could have intercourse with her:  “You strangle your husbands!  May we never see a child of yours!”  Deeply saddened, she planned to hang herself but reconsidered:  “No! People would level this insult against my father, and I'd cause my father to die sorrow-laden.  It's  better for me to beg the Lord to have me die.”  She prayed:  “Blessed are you, Lord, in all your works for ever!”  God heard the prayer of  both of them.  Raphael was sent to heal them both:  to restore Tobit's sight and to marry Sarah to Tobit’s son Tobiah, and drive the demon from her.
              • Ps 25:2-5ab, 6, 7bc, 8-9  "To you, O Lord, I lift my soul."  Teach me your ways.  Your compassion and kindness are from of old.  Remember me....
              • Mk 12:18-27  Sadducees (who say there's no resurrection) / “There were seven brothers.  The first married and died, leaving no children.  So too the other six.  Then the woman died.  Whose wife will she be at the resurrection?”  / “You do not know the Scriptures or God's power!  When they rise, they don't marry; they're like angels.  As for the dead being raised, God told Moses, I'm God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?  He's not God of the dead but the living!”
              For St. Charles celebration
              • Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8  "Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare."
              Reflect
                • Creighton:  "Easier said than done":  Tobit and Sarah, filled with grief and anguish, wanted to die, but they escaped their living hell by fervent prayer.  Deepening our prayer life, like improving our diet or exercise regimen, is easier said than done.  Be more conscious of God, imagine God next to you and give thanks; it'll give you a deeper relationship with God and power to overcome obstacles....
                • One Bread One Body:  "Persevere in hope":  God heard and answered Tobit's and Sarah's prayers, but it took time for the answers to unfold.  They had to persevere in faith, despite not seeing results.  They clung to God's past mercies, trusting in future ones.
                • DailyScripture.net:  We're sometimes like Sadducees, who didn't believe in bodily resurrection; we don't recognize spiritual realities because we try to make heaven into something we can see.  Sadducees didn't believe in immortal beings, whether humans, angels, or evil spirits.  Jesus responds to them by showing that God is a living God of a living people....
                  • Charles Lwanga and +21 companions, Ugandan martyrs
                  • Kevin, monastery founder
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                June 2, 2015

                June 2

                June 2, 2015:  Tuesday, 9th week, Ordinary Time


                • 'Birds' tie, 'eyeball' pin:  Bird droppings blinded Tobit (1st reading)
                • 'Girl with heart' pin:  "The heart of the just one is firm...." (psalm)
                • 'Coin' button:  Coin Jesus showed in answering about census tax (gospel)
                • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
                Listen


                 Pope Francis
                Pray for immigrants and refugees, that they may find welcome and respect.  Provide displaced people with necessary humanitarian aid.   Letting migrants die at sea is an attack against life.


                To children:   Never stop dreaming; dreaming opens the doors to happiness.

                 Read
                • Tb 2:9-14  Tobit:  Bird droppings fell into my eyes and blinded me.  My wife Anna received a goat as a bonus, but I thought it was stolen, got angry, and told her to return it to its owner.  Anna:  “Where's your virtue now?  Your true colors are showing!”

                • Ps 112:1-2, 7-9  "The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord."  Blessed those who fear the Lord.  They give to the poor, and their generosity shall endure.

                • Mk 12:13-17  Pharisees and Herodians trying to ensnare Jesus:  “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar?” / “Bring me a denarius....  Whose image is this?” / “Caesar’s.” / “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”  They were amazed....

                Reflect
                • Creighton:  The ones trying to trap Jesus started with flattery, but he saw through them.  Some say his response reminds us we belong to God and are responsible for living accordingly.   What's my purpose and how might I carry it out pleasing to God?   
                  Denarius from Jesus' time
                • One Bread One Body:  "I won't hurt you":  Tobit and Anna got into a big fight.  Tobit was blind not only in his eyes but also to Anna's kindness and support.  Stung by his inability to support his family, he took it out on her, believing the worst about her while she was working to support the family.  Stung by his accusation, she turned a blind eye to Tobit's lifetime of good works and hurt him deeply.  Jesus warns us that we'll be held accountable for our words, and that we speak out of the abundance of our hearts; insulted, he returned a blessing.  Lord, help me break the cycle of insults, hatred, and hurt.
                • DailyScripture.net:  The Jews resented their foreign rulers and despised paying them taxes.  If Jesus answered it was lawful to pay the taxes, he'd lose credibility with the Jews who would regard him as a friend of Caesar; if he said no, the Pharisees could report him to Roman authorities and have him arrested.  Jesus avoided their trap by confronting them with the coin itself.
                  Deeper meaning:  We've been created in / stamped with God's image and belong to God who created and redeemed us. Paul says we're to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.  Do I live as if I belong to God and give God what's rightfully his?
                    "Lord, because you made me, I owe you all my love; because you redeemed me, I owe you my self; because you promised so much, I owe you all my being.  I owe you more love than myself as you're greater and gave yourself.  Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding.  I owe you more than my self but have no more, and by myself I can't render it to you.  Draw me to you in love.  I'm yours by creation; make me yours too in love." (St. Anselm)
                    • Universalis:  SS. Marcellinus, priest and martyr, and Peter, martyr
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