“‘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.” (MK 12: 16-17)

At the beginning was a plan to “to ensnare him in his speech,” and they got trapped into their own trap. Fortunately, they found Our Lord’s answer remarkable, and they were “amazed at him.” This should be our daily reaction to His word–He is the Word.

“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.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.” (MK 12: 6-8)

Our Father never tires of sending us guides and leaders. In the end “He had one other to send, a beloved son.” And He was killed. This action, which looks like the end of everything, was the beginning of our redemption and a new life. When we live close to God, we can expect in our lives only happy endings because He is the most protective Father who loves us always and is never tired of taking care of us.

“Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the first born of the dead; you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.” (Gospel Acclamation)