Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) - Tobit 2:9-14: After suffering from cataracts for four years, Tobit's wife Anna received a young goat as a bonus for her work, but Tobit suspected it was stolen and became angry, leading Anna to question his true character and the absence of his charitable deeds.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18: Anticipate the day of God's coming when the heavens will be destroyed and replaced with a new righteous world, so strive to be blameless and at peace, and be cautious not to be misled by the unprincipled, but instead grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, to whom be eternal glory.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 112: Those who fear the LORD and delight in His commands will be blessed, trusting in Him, unafraid of evil, generous to the poor, enduring in generosity, and exalted in glory.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 90: God, the eternal refuge, spans from everlasting to everlasting, as His people acknowledge their fleeting existence, yearn for His kindness, and rejoice in His work and glory across generations.
• Gospel - Mark 12:13-17: The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus by asking about paying taxes to Caesar, but Jesus astutely responded, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." revealing the importance of both civic responsibilities and devotion to God. His answer left the crowd amazed at his wisdom and silenced his opponents.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

• Authority and Loyalty: The Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman emperor. This question is meant to test Jesus' loyalty and to see if he would undermine Roman authority or the religious law. The passage raises questions about the responsibilities of individuals to their government and to their faith.
• Wisdom and Wit: Jesus responds to the Pharisees and Herodians with wisdom and wit. He asks for a coin and asks whose image and inscription are on it. When they answer that it is Caesar's, Jesus says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." This response showcases Jesus' ability to navigate difficult situations and give insightful answers.
• Hypocrisy: The Pharisees and Herodians' question is also an attempt to trap Jesus and expose him as either a supporter of Roman rule or a rebel against it. Their motives are not sincere, but rather hypocritical. This theme highlights the contrast between genuine intentions and manipulative tactics.

Thoughts for Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

In Mark 12:13-17, the gospel for Tuesday of the 9th week in Ordinary Time, Jesus faces a clever trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians. This encounter exposes their hypocrisy and reveals Jesus' wisdom.

The Pharisees and Herodians approached Jesus with a question, but their true intentions were not sincere. The Pharisees were religious leaders known for following the Jewish law strictly, while the Herodians supported King Herod politically. Despite their differences, they joined forces to trap Jesus. Their question was about whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, aiming to corner Jesus into a difficult situation.

Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and deceit. He recognized their wicked intent and the trap they had set for him. Instead of falling into their plan, Jesus responded with great wisdom. He asked for a coin used for taxes and questioned them about whose image and inscription were on it. By doing so, Jesus pointed out that the coin belonged to Caesar, and it was right to give it back to him.

However, Jesus didn't stop there. He added another important statement: "Give to God what belongs to God." With this response, Jesus reminded them of higher principles and our ultimate allegiance to God. His clever answer left the Pharisees and Herodians speechless, exposing their hypocrisy and lack of genuine interest in seeking the truth.

From this story, we can learn valuable lessons for our own lives. First, we should be cautious of hypocrisy within ourselves, making sure our actions align with our beliefs. Second, we should seek wisdom and guidance from God, trusting that He will help us navigate challenging situations. Jesus' response shows us the importance of quick thinking and understanding.

Lastly, this passage teaches us about our dual responsibilities to society and to God. As citizens, we have obligations to follow just laws and contribute positively to our communities. However, we must always prioritize our relationship with God, giving Him the reverence, worship, and devotion that He deserves. By learning from Jesus' clever response, we can navigate hypocrisy and fulfill our responsibilities wisely.

Prayer for Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

Heavenly Father, grant us the discernment to navigate the complexities of authority and loyalty, so that we may fulfill our responsibilities to both government and faith with wisdom and integrity. May we always strive to avoid hypocrisy and embrace the teachings of Jesus, seeking to honor You in all aspects of our lives. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Spiritual Ground of Law

In his reflection for Tuesday of the 9th week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron explores the relationship between religion and politics, emphasizing that the deepest ground of politics is spiritual and connected to God. He highlights that all laws, including positive laws, are rooted in the natural law, which ultimately finds its source in the eternal law, and therefore, politicians and judges should act in accordance with moral and spiritual principles.

USCCB Reflection: Investing Coins for God's Glory

The USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 9th week in Ordinary Time focuses on the scripture passage from Mark's gospel (Mark 12:13-17), where the conniving Pharisees try to trick Jesus by asking whether to pay taxes to Rome or not. Jesus, knowing their intentions, responds by highlighting the importance of using our resources wisely and for the betterment of humanity, emphasizing the need to glorify God rather than ourselves in all that we do.