Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Tobit 2 : 9 – 14 / Ps. 111 : 1 – 2, 7 – 9 / Mark 12 : 13 – 17

In our first reading today, we are presented with the account of how Tobit faced a very unfortunate circumstance of having to endure blindness. It is said that despite all that he had to go through, Tobit did not lose heart but he remained steadfast in his faith and conviction to live honestly. Nevertheless, this expression of faith by Tobit caused some friction between him and those who were around him.

Tobit’s blindness was attributed to natural causes. Nonetheless, medical assistance was useless to him. Every attempt to heal him drove him further into darkness – only God had the power to heal. Ben Sirach advised that one honors physicians because their services are needed, but also remember that “their gift of healing comes from the Most – High”. Eccl. 38:1-15

Tobit remained righteous, upright and dedicated to God in all things, and he did not let fear or uncertainties affect or distract him from his faith and trust in the Lord. 

Dear friends, we must also be good and upright in our lives in this world as well as obey whatever orders and laws that the worldly authorities around us have for us, as long as they do not directly contradict the Law of God.

Tobit not only teaches his son the observance of the law, but also shows it to him in practice.

The question posed to Jesus whether or not, it is permissible to pay taxes to Caesar seems not to be a sincere question. It was an effort to trap Jesus. If he were to say, ‘Yes, pay your taxes to Caesar’, he would lose the esteem of many of the Jewish people who resented the Roman presence; if he were to say, ‘No, do not pay your taxes to Caesar’ he would be liable to arrest and trial by the Romans.

Jesus declared to the people that they were to give to Caesar what belonged to Caesar and give back to God what belonged to God.

Friends, Jesus is saying that a certain loyalty is due to the political authorities but an even greater loyalty is due to God. All of our being belongs to God, our heart, soul, strength and mind. Even when life goes against us, we still belong to God. Tobit displays this giving of one’s whole self to God, even in times of great personal distress. We don’t relate to God for what God can give us, but because of who God is. He alone is worthy of all our reverence and devotion, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

Rosary Prayer: Sorrowful Mysteries