"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 to them, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." They were utterly amazed at him." - Mark 12:16-17
I was listening to a podcast produced by two people who aren't Catholic. They mentioned St. Justin, martyr, whose life we remember today, and one remarked, "Man! How do you feel being an early Christian with that last name?" I'm sure the comment was in jest, but it made me reflect on how I automatically think of St. Justin with "martyr" as part of his name. That he died for Jesus is now part of his moniker.
Today's Gospel asks us to reflect on something similar. The image of Caesar on the coin is a reminder to the people of who runs the show, but that coin itself is an inanimate object. It's a paperweight unless the people pass it along and use it. Meanwhile, our lives have the image of God impressed upon them and we have innate value. We don't have to wait to be passed along and we don't have to have "martyr" as part of our name to be used and known as His. We reflect whose we are through our words, actions and faithfulness every day.
How did you reflect the image of God yesterday? What can you do today?
Lord, thank You for creating us to reflect Your image. Give us the grace we need to do that today.
Reflection by:
Abby Watts
Did You Know...
Abby Watts was a member of the team at Spirit FM 90.5, the radio ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, for 15 years. She is now "helping moms love well" as the Content Manager for iMom, a program of Family First. She and her family are active members of Nativity Parish in Brandon.
