The Census Tax

The Pharisees went off and plotted on how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Sow me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose Image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."  

Consideration: Jesus once again calls out the Pharisee hypocrisy. They tried to get him to disobey the law of Caesar and instead made fools of themselves. They said to Jesus that he is not concerned with anyone's opinion; the reason Jesus is not concerned with anyone's opinion is because they are cunning hypocrites. The Pharisees are consistent in their approach to Jesus; and Jesus is consistent calling them out to be hypocrites. Amen.

Acknowledge the Son of Man

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. "Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how and what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." 

Consideration: We are to have the courage to speak the name of Jesus to all people without reservation. As the disciples were called by Jesus to follow and to proclaim him as the Christ, so too are we to follow their example of faith, hope, and trust in the Lord; and with love do the same. Amen.

God Has Prepared

There was a picture; you all were there; everyone was smiling; there were no tears

There was a photo on the shelve that took me back to a time when life seemed swell

Those happy times together with family and friends; never thought they would end

 

Turn the page; years fly by; gray hair is a telling sign; a little older, a bit wiser

A new day and generation will find their way; they will carry on; the past is gone

The pace is faster; a remedy for disaster; thrill is the bottom line; end of family time

 

Texted pictures from distant places; gone are the days of face-to-face encounters; gadgets occupy hands and eyes; a handshake or wink is chastised; competition, a lesser ambition; the human condition, a ridiculous expedition; personal touch, a foolish thing; forgotten is what life really means.

 

There was a picture; you all were there; everyone was smiling; many disappeared 

There were memories that have all but faded away; few remain of “the good old days”

Happy times linger among thorns of life; the freshness of youth; a new springtime

 

What is here today is gone tomorrow; all that remains is heartache, grief and sorrow

Life through the ages remains and replays; on the other side, the reunion awaits

No pictures, memories, disasters, pain, sorrow, grief, or living out the human condition

​

There are no reruns; we will exit forever; love is ever-present; war is no more; our place is prepared; boundless; ageless; fearless; joyous; lions will lie down with the lambs; never-ending peace; “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it entered into the heart what God has prepared for His children who love Him.” Amen!

 

 

All will be Revealed

Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven-that is the hypocrisy-of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who will kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs on your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows." 

Consideration: All are guilty of doing things that are not pleasing to God. We think that our actions will be private, and no one will ever know our faults; Jesus tells us that this is not so, and all will be revealed. He also tells us not to be afraid of those who can harm the body, but also, the one that has the power to cast us into hell. Jesus tells us not to be afraid; God the Father loves us and has created us to spend all of eternity with him in heaven. The mercy of God everlasting, we need only to ask for it with a humble and contrite heart. Amen.

Memorials of the Prophets

The Lord said: "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the alter and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

Consideration: Jesus calls out the scholars of the law for their hypocrisy. Their ancestors were guilty of shedding the blood of prophets and Apostles, and yet they were building memorials in their honor. When Jesus departed from them, they plotted to find a way to trap him with the words he spoke. Jesus, as always, knew their cunning intentions. Amen.

"Woe to you Pharisees!"

The Lord said, "Woe to you Pharisees! You pay Tithes of mint and rue and of every garden herb, and you pay no attention to judgement and to love of God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk." Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, "Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too." And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on the people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them."

Consideration: Jesus once again speaks clearly and profoundly about hypocrisy. This was true when Jesus walked the earth, and it is still true today. How many leaders speak to the people about what they should do and how to conduct their lives, but they fail to follow their own directives themselves. Let us pray for those who have positions of authority and power to rule and guide knowing that what they do is done by the grace of God. Amen.

Plunder and Evil

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you."

Consideration: Jesus tells the Pharisees that it not only important that the outside is cleansed but also that the inside of our inner being is cleansed from all unrighteousness and impurities as well. Amen.