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 both clever and wise. But more instructive is his profound trust in
God. He stands composed because he knows
– not through intuition but by constant prayer -- that his Father is with him. We should follow his example. It is better not to strategize to outwit
those who take opposite positions from us.
Rather, we should pray for God’s enlightenment with due effort to
comprehend the issue at hand.
