A time of Lexio devena for the discerning heart.

Tuesday of the ninth week in ordinary time.

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

For the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart, Jesus, I trust in you. You take over. Become aware. Become aware that he is with you,

looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within your heart.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark

Chapter 12 verses 13 through 17

The chief priests and the scribes and the elders

sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians

to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him,

Master, we know you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man's rank

means nothing to you, and that you teach the way of God in all honesty. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

Should we pay?

Yes or no.

Seeing through their hypocrisy, he said to them,

Why do you set this trap for me?

Hand me a denarius and let me see it.

They handed him one, and he said,

Whose head is this? Whose name?

Caesar's, they told him.

Jesus said to them,

Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,

...