Tobit 2:9-14 / Mark 12:13-17
Distress and turmoil have no respect for anyone, not even people of faith.
Especially for those who have a firm belief in God, their faith will be tested in the distress and turmoils of life.
In the 1st reading, we heard about how Tobit, a man of deep faith, had his share of distress and tribulations in life.
He became blind by a freak accident and he had to depend on generosity of others.
Also when he wrongly accused his wife of stealing a lamb, Anna, his wife also retaliated by scorning his faith and good works.
Such are the trials and turmoils that all will have to go through, and that includes people of faith and who believe and trust in God.
Even for Jesus who came to love people and do good, the chief priests and scribes and elders sent the Pharisees to question Jesus about paying taxes, with the intention to catch Him on something that He says.
Jesus could have felt disgusted by all that scheming and plotting but He turned it into an opportunity to teach the people and it also left His questioners baffled.
So in the face of distress and turmoil, we need to ask ourselves: What can ever separate us from the love of God? (Romans 8:35)
If God is for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) Or what can ever be against us? Distress? Turmoils?
We belong to God. Let us keep faith in Him and fight the good fight of faith.