(Optional Memorial for Saint Norbert, Bishop)
 |
| “Tobit’s Wife with the Goat” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn , 1645 |
Reading 1: Tobit 2:9-14
Commentary on Tb 2:9-14
This story from the Book of Tobit describes how the Prophet became blind. The event would have been viewed as a punishment from God by members of the community. The once wealthy Tobit has come to a point where his wife works as a weaver. Tobit, in either his pride or his suspicion, tells his wife to give back a goat given to her as an additional payment. In her response, his wife provides the moral lesson of the story as she points out that charitable deeds and virtuous acts begin in the home.
CCC: Tb 2:12-18 Vulg. 312
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112:1-2, 7-8, 9
R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 112:1-2, 7-8, 9
This hymn of praise and thanksgiving from Psalm 112 commends the people who are faithful to the Law of Moses. The one who is blameless in the eyes of God does not fear from his community or others since the Lord is his protector.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 12:13-17
Commentary on Mk 12:13-17
In this account (similar to Matthew 22:15-22), the Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus by asking if people should pay taxes to Caesar. If he agrees with the Herodians (who would want the tax to be paid) he would be trapped because he was authorizing tribute to one who claimed to be a god, violating Jewish Law. If he sided with the Pharisees against the Herodians, he would be in conflict with civil law and be taken before the Roman authorities.
Jesus saw the trap and avoided it, using the powerful argument for the separation of Church and State by the famous statement: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
CCC: Mk 12:17 450
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Scripture today, in all three of the passages offered, points to the need for constant vigilance on our part to insure that we are following God’s laws. In the reading from Tobit, we find a truly applicable scenario. Tobit has his sight taken from him in a rather disgusting fashion when birds defecate in his eyes while he is sleeping. This, for a proud and once powerful man, must have been especially humiliating.
Then, Tobit’s wife, who has been forced to work since he was deprived of his wealth in their exile to Nineveh
In the Psalm response, we hear exhortations about staying faithful to God’s Law, supporting the lesson from Tobit. Finally, in the Gospel, the Lord neatly avoids a trap laid by the Pharisees and Herodians. They confront the Lord with the seemingly innocent question: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” This trap places him in a no-win situation. If he sides with the Herodians (who would want the tax to be paid) he would be violating Jewish Law because he was authorizing tribute to one who claimed to be a god. If he sided with the Pharisees who would be against paying the tax, he would violate civil law, and be taken before the Roman authorities. By pointing out that it was coin of the earthly kingdom being used to pay the tax, he avoids both camps. He uses the law, both civil and Mosaic to provide a reasonable solution.
Yes, today we are called to follow God’s Law at home and at work or school or in our social environment. It should be constantly before us because by our scrupulous adherence to it we identify ourselves as Christian, further spreading the word through our actions.
Pax
[2] The picture used is “Tobit’s Wife with the Goat” by Harmenszoon van Rijn Rembrandt, 1645
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
No comments:
Post a Comment