Paying Taxes

Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that ‘if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” Mark 12:13-27

Late edition - 

There are many things we have to do, which we don't necessarily like to do. People sometimes refer to this as "adulting". Yet those same little children couldn't wait to be grownups and set their own bedtimes. Now their bedtimes are often after they get the chores and tasks done. They long to be kids again. We're coming into tax season and the ads for tax help abound. Noone wants to do their taxes, let alone, pay the taxes. Yet, we wouldn't survive as a nation, a people without paying our fair share. This is not to say sometimes folks carry a larger part of the burden than they should, and the rich have tax shelters. Yet the joy of participating fully, is the blessing of joining with others, serving the suffering and taking our place in the community. 

Holy Creator, our source and strength

we live among those who are overwhelmed

with those who are hurt and suffering

and those who have plenty and share.

Too often we complain and whine

yet we are blessed so abundantly

we wish to be small children again

coddled, fed and taken care of.

You have made it a gift to share

you have called us to be the servant

who know joy as they give away

and who know you in the giving. Amen.