Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-84) - Repay to God What Belongs to God

Dearest Goddaughter,

In today's Gospel, Jesus says to the Pharisees and Herodians who try to ensnare him: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." However, because Christ is "a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth," he remains faithful to God because Jesus knows that while he may live in the world, he is not of the world.

Like our Lord Jesus Christ, we live in this work but we were made for eternal life with God in heaven. Saint Peter, in today's first reading, writes: "you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability." The "unprincipled" are the faithful generation of this world that want to ensnare us and lead us away from things of God. Therefore, it is so important for us to have a robust spiritual and prayer life to help us discern God's will amongst the noises of this world that aim to distract us.

Once again, Saint Peter tells us: "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ." This is how we can do an examination of conscience, discern the things that are of God, and order our life with Christ at the center of our decision-making daily. Also as important, is to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude to follow God's will. A while back, a certain candidate was running for political office and people defended him as a man who wrestle with his faith. While that is true, he forgot to ask the Holy Spirit to give him the courage to follow God's will.

Therefore, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” is our Lord invitation to pray and discern God's will and ask for the courage to follow it. Take comfort and be strengthened in knowing that God is right there by your side.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18 and Mk 12:13-17 (see below)

. . .

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent

to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.

They came and said to him,

“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man

and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.

You do not regard a person’s status

but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?

Should we pay or should we not pay?”

Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,

“Why are you testing me?

Bring me a denarius to look at.”

They brought one to him and he said to them,

“Whose image and inscription is this?”

They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”

So Jesus said to them,

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

and to God what belongs to God.”

They were utterly amazed at him.