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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Repay to... God what belongs to God

Opinion

Repay to... God what belongs to God

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus is truly a spiritual teacher. What matters most to him is that we render to God what belongs to him. We, Christians, know that all power, honor, and glory belong to God.

If we are seeking those things for ourselves, we are mistaken. We should be reminded that we are not gods. We do not deserve anything but mercy and forgiveness from God.

Seeking privileges and entitlements do not sit well with Jesus. Worse is when we seek to demolish Jesus and his teachings to give in to or to justify our cravings and foolishness to project a powerful image.

We should not be like the insecure chief priests, scribes, and elders of Israel, who send their proxies to dismantle what Jesus has begun—the Kingdom of God. There are devastating consequences. Actually, nothing belongs to “Caesar.” Nothing belongs to us.

First Reading • 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18

Beloved: Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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