The Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare Him in His Speech

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 9th Week -  Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Mk 12:13-17*

*First Reading - Tob 2:9-4*

*The Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare Him in His Speech*

*1) Wrong intention in doing some work*

These pharisees  and herodians were either sent by the Jewish authorities  or they might have come on their own

In either case their intention  is very evil. They start their work with evil intention 

Any work which is done with evil intention  does not bear fruit. Instead it turns against us and it causes great harm to the person who does it 

The intention  of pharisees  and herodians was very clear. That is to ensnare or trap Jesus  

*2) They failed in their work*

The pharisees  and the herodians who came with the intention of ensnaring  Jesus, finally  could not succeed in their work 

In fact they were caught in the same net, which they used to trap Jesus 

They spoke one thing and behind  their mind they had different intention.  

The Gospel  makes it very clear that those who carry wrong or evil intentions in their minds  to trap others will finally  trapped in the same trap which they use for others 

*3) Things which take the place of pharisees  and herodians in our life*

As it is clear from the Gospel that the pharisees  and herodians were sent by some one to trap Jesus, this has some connections  to our life too 

There are many things in our lives which act like these pharisees  and herodians 

All our temptations  take the place of pharisees  and herodians, which are sent by the devil to trap us in our life 

Following may be some of the examples 

Pride, envy, revengeful attitude, anger, gossip, non cooperation, narrow mindedness, and temptations of the flesh, are some of the things which are sent by the devil to ensnare us in our lives 

So like Jesus we need to be careful

*4) How to deal about these things in life*

 

Jesus is the model for us. 

First of all he judged the hypocrisy involved in it

Secondly  he verified and examined the situation  immediately 

Thirdly he found solution in the problem  itself 

So this is the best strategy  we need to use when we are ensnared by the above things 

First know the real intention  of any feelings, temptations  or situations. 

Secondly  attend to it immediately  without postponing it or ignoring it

Thirdly  find a solution  in the problem  itself and not outside of it 

*5) Some of the spiritual instruments to fight against the above things*

Prayer, reading of the Word of God, Trust in God,  courage, service, sacrifice, Sharing,  generosity

The various spiritual activities which we practice in our lives are the powerful instruments  to fight against the snares of the devil. 

We need to be alert all the time because  the devil is very alert and trap is in many ways 

*Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1Peter 5:8*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*