Tuesday, 9th Week in Ordinary Time June 4, 2024

Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 9th Week in Ordinary Time
June 4, 2024, Mark 12:1-12
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060424.cfm

The Grace of the Martyrs.

Every two years, the United States Congress has to agree on a budget for the country, and they always seem to sign it at the last hour. Despite their many differences, a budget undercuts all the opinions that separate them.

Like our United States Congress, the Herodians and the Pharisees were two rival political parties in Jesus’ cultural world. They put their differences aside because they hated Jesus more than each other. Jesus called them to a faith relationship with God they could not grasp and accept. They couldn’t surrender everything and trust God completely.

So, they tried to trick Jesus with a Roman coin. Should they pay taxes to Rome? Jesus said to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God. Initially, the word “give” meant to give back something that belongs to someone.

Caesar’s image was on the Roman coin, so give it back to him. However, God’s image is in the soul, the mind, the heart, and the body of every human being. We all belong to the Lord. Let us find peace and give each other back to the Lord.

Gospel Challenge:
Chip away at the divisions in our nations by choosing to listen and embrace each other despite our differences. Pray for the grace to find the presence of the Lord in someone who opposes you politically. It will amaze you how different you feel about them. It’s the grace of the martyrs who overlooked their oppressor’s abuse and forgave them.

Peace be with you.

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com