Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Tobit 2:9-14; Mark 12:13-17)
Joe Louis was one of the greatest boxing champions
because of his readiness to take on all challengers. He defended his heavyweight champion title a
record twenty-five times. If you don’t
mind the comparison, Jesus in the gospel these days is confronted by different
opponents who resent his popularity among the people. He has no more trouble putting down their
arguments than the “Brown Bomber” in conquering all foes.
In today’s passage an unlikely alliance of Pharisees and
Herodians questions Jesus on the
controversial issue of the census
tax. The people thought the tax unjust,
but few wanted to invite reprisal by speaking against it openly. So the band asks Jesus openly of his opinion
of the tax. Jesus sniffs out the
conspiracy and responds quite deftly by avoiding the issue. In the process he wins even more fame among
the people.
In this case Jesus appears as much clever as wise. But more to the point is his consistent trust
in God. He stands composed because he
knows that his Father is with him – not merely through intuition but by constant
prayer. In this way we should follow his
example. It is better not to strategize
to outwit those who take opposite positions from us in debates. No, we should to pray for God’s enlightenment
with due effort to comprehend the issue at hand.
