June 2, 2009

  Tobit 2: 9 - 14

    That same night I bathed, and went to sleep next to the wall of my courtyard.  Because of the heat I left my face uncovered.  I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing catatacts.  I went to see some doctors for a cure, but the more they anointed my eyes with varius 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 the their owners, they would pay her.  Late in winter 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!"

  But 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!" 

Psalms 112: 1 - 2, 7 - 9

    Happy 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. 

   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 upon his foes.  Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generousity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Mark 12: 13 - 17

  They next sent some Pharisees and Herodians after him to catch him in his speech.  The two groups came and said to him:  "Teacher, we know you are a truthful man, unconcerned about anyone's opinion.  It is evident you do not act out of human respect but teach God's way of life sincerely. Is it lawful to pay the tax to the emperor or not?  Are we to pay or not to pay?"  Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, "Why are you trying to trip me up?  Bring me a coin and let me see it."  When they brought one, he said to them,  "Whose head is this and whose inscription is it?"  "Caesar's," they told him.  At that Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God's."  Their amazement at him knew no bounds.