Presence

As I begin this prayer, God is present,
breathing life into me and into everything around me.
For a few moments, I remain silent,
and become aware of God’s loving presence.

Freedom

Lord you gave me life and the gift of freedom.
Through Your Love I exist in this world.
May I never take the gift of life for granted.
May I always respect the right to life of others.

Consciousness

As I talk to You, O God,
help me to grow in appreciation of the gifts of communication.
Grant that I will speak out for those who have no voice
and always have a kind word for those in need.

The Word of God

¹⁵Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. ¹⁶So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality. ¹⁷Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ¹⁸But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰Then he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose title?” ²¹They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

Inspiration

The words are very clear. ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s. The Pharisees constantly put Jesus to the test because they feared his influence. His followers knew that he taught the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Jesus’ teaching about taxes is as relevant today as it was when he instructed the Pharisees. The amount of tax you are liable to pay may be as tiny as a grain of yeast, but that tiny amount contributes to maintaining hospitals, schools, emergency services and housing.

Conversation

“He looked at him and loved him”. (Mark 10:21). Can I allow myself to sit in the loving gaze of Jesus, Who loves me at all times and places, in all circumstances? God always looks at me with unconditional love.

Conclusion

Filled with the loving presence of God,
I ask Him to bless me and guide my steps
as I go to do His work in my daily life.

Amen