For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading below is a wonderful reminder that if I owe anyone anything, it is You first because You created me in Your own image (imagination). You designed and made me the way You wanted me to be and I showed up as me. The people tried to trap Jesus by asking Him if they should pay taxes. Coinage at that time held a lot of political power because whoever's image was on the coin basically owned that coinage. If someone used that coinage, then they essentially used from and owed to whoever was on the coin. It would have been unlawful for Jesus to tell them not to pay their taxes and if He told them to pay their taxes to a pagan ruler than He would have lost any credibility that He did have. So Jesus tells the people to pay to Caesar was is his, since he owns the coin and they use the coin. He also tells them to give to God what is God's. It is You Father who created me in Your image (imagination) so I must give to You what is Your's. Before I am bound or obligated to anyone or anything, I am bound and obligated to You. There is just no other way to say it or see it. Just as the coin was Caesar's personal property, I am Your personal property. Thank You Father, for this profound, bold and close connection to You.
Through Jesus Christ's Most Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face, I thank You for this awareness. Amen~
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark
Mark 12:13-17
13 And they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and some of the Hero'di-ans, to entrap Him in His talk.
14 And they came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are True, and care for no man; for You do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
15 Should we pay them, or should we not?"
But knowing their hypocrisy, He said to them, "Why put Me to the test? Bring Me a coin, and let Me look at it."
16 And they brought one. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's."
17 Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at Him.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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