Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mk 12: 13-17
June 6, 2023 | Tuesday

Today’s Gospel

They sent to Jesus some Pharisees with members of Herod’s party, with the purpose of trapping him by his own words. They came and said to Jesus, “Master, we know that you are truthful; you are not influenced by anyone, and your answers do not vary according to who is listening to you, but you truly teach God’s way. Tell us, is it against the law to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?”

But Jesus saw through their trick and answered, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a silver coin and let me see it.” They brought him one and Jesus asked, “Ceasar’s.” Then Jesus said, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God’s.”

And they were greatly astonished.

Today’s Reflection:

The evils and deceptions that rampantly occur in the world are some reasons why many people grow suspicious of others. To protect oneself from being manipulated and taken advantage of, critical thinking has been regarded as one of the necessary skills that a

person must learn in modern times. However, being critical is never synonymous with being suspicious. Critical thinking is only meant to make a sound and objective judgment of people, situations, and events with the use of available and sufficient facts. On the other hand, being suspicious already creates bad judgment of others despite the insufficiency of facts. Being suspicious has been the reason why the Pharisees missed seeing the importance of the message and presence of Jesus. Bitterness and suspiciousness blind people from seeing, appreciating, and being grateful for the goodness of God and of others. /Vulnerasti, 2023