Responsibility

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060215.cfm) reminds me that we should remain responsible in life.

In the gospel, we see something similar to last week, where God gave Jesus the wisdom to get out of a trap set by leaders at his time. However, his answer also reminded me that God wants us to be responsible in all the areas of our life.

Being responsible is a good testimony of our faith.

Back in college, I have friends who tell me that they don’t find it well that some people focus on sharing God while neglecting their school duties. Yes, sharing God to others is a mission, but as students, we also have the responsibility to study well, come to class, and submit school requirements. Others seem to neglect their role as students, and focus solely on evangelizing and converting people, which sometimes turn other people off because they are not being responsible in other aspects of their lives.

Serving God is not an excuse to be irresponsible to our other duties.

As long as other duties do not tell us to go against God, then we have the obligation to obey and be responsible. Time and time again we are reminded that our lives are powerful testament of our faith, and if we live right, if we obey and respect authority, if we take care of our family, do our best at work, then it is easy for other people to see God living and alive in our lives. It is easier to give a testament of our faith, to preach his kingdom.

May we learn to be responsible so we can be living testaments of our faith.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I use you or my service to you as an excuse to not do well in other areas of my life. Help me be responsible. May I give my best not just in serving you and proclaiming you, but also in other areas you put me – my family, my work and my other responsibilities. I know that as I live right and live responsibly, it will be easier for other people to see you, your goodness and greatness in and through my life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 2, 2015

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 354

Reading 1 Tb 2:9-14

On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead,

I, Tobit, went into my courtyard

to sleep next to the courtyard wall.

My face was uncovered because of the heat.

I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me,

till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts.

I went to see some doctors for a cure

but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves,

the worse the cataracts became,

until I could see no more.

For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and

all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition.

Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years,

until he left for Elymais.

At that time, my wife Anna worked for hire

at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do.

When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her.

Late in winter on the seventh of Dystrus,

she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners.

They paid her the full salary

and also gave her a young goat for the table.

On entering my house the goat began to bleat.

I called to my wife and said: “Where did this goat come from?

Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners;

we have no right to eat stolen food!”

She said to me, “It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages.”

Yet I would not believe her,

and told her to give it back to its owners.

I became very angry with her over this.

So she retorted: “Where are your charitable deeds now?

Where are your virtuous acts?

See! Your true character is finally showing itself!”

Responsorial Psalm PS 112:1-2, 7-8, 9

R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commands.

His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;

the upright generation shall be blessed.

R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

An evil report he shall not fear;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear

till he looks down upon his foes.

R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor;

his generosity shall endure forever;

his horn shall be exalted in glory.

R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Eph 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

enlighten the eyes of our hearts,

that we may know what is the hope

that belongs to his call.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent

to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.

They came and said to him,

“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man

and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.

You do not regard a person’s status

but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?

Should we pay or should we not pay?”

Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,

“Why are you testing me?

Bring me a denarius to look at.”

They brought one to him and he said to them,

“Whose image and inscription is this?”

They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”

So Jesus said to them,

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

and to God what belongs to God.”

They were utterly amazed at him.