Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading – Tobit 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.

Sparrows were on the wall right above me, but I did not know it. Their warm droppings fell into my eyes, causing a white film to form on them. I went to one doctor after another, but the more they treated me with their medicines, the worse my eyes became, until finally I was completely blind. For four years I could see nothing. My relatives were deeply concerned about my condition, and Ahikar supported me for two years before he went to the land of Elam.

After Ahikar left, my wife Anna had to go to work, so she took up weaving, like many other women.

The people she worked for would pay her when she delivered the cloth. One spring day, she cut a finished piece of cloth from the loom and took it to the people who had ordered it. They paid her the full price and also gave her a goat.

When Anna came home with the goat, it began to bleat. I called out, “Where did that goat come from? You stole it, didn”t you? Take it straight back to its owners. It”s not right to eat stolen food!”

“No!” she replied. “It was given to me as a gift in addition to what I got for the cloth.” But I didn”t believe her, and I blushed for shame for what she had done. I ordered her to return the goat to its owners, but she had the last word. “Now I see what you are really like!” she shouted. “Where is all that concern of yours for others? What about all those good deeds you used to do?”

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 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.
8 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 Ephesians 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 – Mark 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and some members of Herod’s party were sent to Jesus to trap him with questions.

They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you tell the truth, without worrying about what people think. You pay no attention to anyone’s status, but teach the truth about God’s will for people. Tell us, is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor? Should we pay them or not?”

But Jesus saw through their trick and answered, “Why are you trying to trap me? Bring a silver coin, and let me see it.”

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, “Well, then, pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” And they were amazed at Jesus.