Tobit 2:9-14 / Mark 12:13-17
Meaningful conversations are usually very enriching. Because it is a heart-to-heart talk that brings about an understanding and communion.
Such conversations motivate and inspire us and renew our faith in people and even deepen our experiences of God.
On the other hand, if we have to watch our words because some others want to find fault with us and pick on our words, then talking becomes stressful and we would rather remain silent.
In the gospel, the Pharisees and Herodians were sent by the chief priests and scribes and elders to catch Jesus out in what He said.
But the words that they used before Jesus were oozing with slime as they said to Jesus: You are not afraid of anyone, because a man's rank means nothing to You.
An egoistic person may think that it is some kind of praise and tribute given him for his courage and bravery, but those are actually very slippery words.
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and His response of using a coin in effect told them that He acknowledged who had the political authority and what was due to him.
But Jesus did not stop there. With the same breath, He also said that what is due to God must also be given to Him.
We are given intellect and free will, as well as the faculty of speech.
May we pray for the wisdom to use our words with honesty and sincerity so that we will enrich others in our conversations and by our words we bring about understanding and communion.