Reflection for Sunday August 18, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: John 6:51-58

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.

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Reflection:

St. Catherine of Genoa was a daily communicant. It was said that during the seasons of Advent and Lent, she lived without food, being nourished solely by receiving Jesus daily through Holy Communion. 

During the thirteenth century in Italy, there was a priest who almost lost his faith in the reality of Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist. Right before the 'Lamb of God,' where the priest breaks the host to put a small part of it into the chalice, the host in his hands began to bleed profusely. It bled over his hands, onto the corporal, and onto the altar cloths. 

There are many more written and unwritten Eucharistic miracles that have happened and will continue to happen in the future. But how about us? Have we personally experienced any form of miraculous Eucharistic occurrence? Perhaps we have not yet experienced it, or maybe we’re simply unaware that Jesus, through His Body and Blood, is actually transforming us into the person He wants us to be.

Is it possible that something miraculous could happen to us if we reverently receive Jesus at Mass? If we faithfully and piously receive Jesus in every Holy Mass, it is not impossible that He will transform us into the person He wants us to become. 

Take, for example, a man who is a chain smoker and an alcoholic—what will happen to him if he doesn’t stop smoking and drinking? He will likely suffer from serious health issues related to cigarettes and alcohol. On the other hand, consider a health-conscious man who exercises regularly and only eats healthy food and vegetables. Naturally, he will look good and be healthy because of his consistent regimen.

The same is true if we faithfully attend Holy Mass and receive Jesus regularly during Holy Communion. There will be a transformation within us; we may not notice it ourselves, but others will become aware of it. This is the miracle that we often are not aware of.

The Body and Blood of Jesus that we receive during Holy Communion makes a significant difference in our lives because Jesus comes into us. We become one with Jesus during Holy Communion, and if we allow it, He will transform us into the person He wants us to be.

Do you always receive Jesus with reverence during Holy Communion? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Agosto 18 Ika-20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Juan 6:51-58

Mabuting Balita: Juan 6:51-58

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: "Ako ang pagkaing nagbibigay-buhay na bumaba mula sa langit. At ang pagkaing ibibigay ko sa ikabubuhay ng sanlibutan ay ang aking laman." Dahil dito'y nagtalu-talo ang mga Judio. "Paanong maibibigay sa atin ng taong ito ang kanyang laman upang kanin natin?" tanong nila. 

Kaya't sinabi ni Jesus, "Tandaan ninyo: malibang kanin ninyo ang laman ng Anak ng Tao at inumin ang kanyang dugo, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng buhay. Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay may buhay na walang hanggan, at muli ko siyang bubuhayin sa huling araw. Sapagkat ang aking laman ay tunay na pagkain, at ang aking dugo, tunay na inumin. 

Ang kumakain ng aking laman at umiinom ng aking dugo ay nananahan sa akin, at ako sa kanya. Buhay ang Amang nagsugo sa akin, at ako'y nabubuhay dahil sa kanya. Gayon din naman, ang sinumang kumakain sa akin ay mabubuhay dahil sa akin. 

Ito ang pagkaing bumaba mula sa langit; ang kumakain nito'y mabubuhay magpakailanman. Hindi ito katulad ng kinain ng inyong mga magulang sa ilang; namatay sila bagamat kumain sila niyon."

Reflection for August 17 Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:13-15

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

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Reflection:

In a faraway village lived two families with five children each. Family number one is a devout catholic; they always attend Sunday Holy Mass. The parents lead their children in reflecting the words of Jesus in the bible and they regularly pray the Holy Rosary. On the other hand, family number two is the complete opposite of family number one.  

Twenty years after, the children of family number one were all successful and respected in their respective communities. The children of family number two were again the opposite of the children of family number one.  

Many parents today forget the primacy of God over everything that this world offers us. They are always very busy with their worldly undertakings. They don’t gather their children during Sundays to attend Holy Mass. They forget to share to their children the words of Jesus in the bible. They forget to teach their children about the faith.  

We all know that as children grow up they would encounter their own share of problems. Where would they go to unburden their problems if they don’t know God?  

In the gospel, Jesus tells us, “Let the children come to me (Matthew 19:14)”. Why? For the simple reason that the Good Lord wants to ensure a Bright, Good and Godly future for our children.  

Have you already introduced your children to the Lord and are they friends with Him? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 17, Sabado sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 19:13-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 19:13-15

Noong panahong iyon, may nagdala ng mga bata kay Jesus upang hilinging ipatong niya sa mga ito ang kanyang kamay at ipanalangin.

Ngunit pinagwikaan sila ng mga alagad. Datapwat sinabi ni Jesus, "Hayaan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata. Huwag ninyo silang hadlangan, sapagkat sa katulad nila naghahari ang Diyos." Ipinatong niya sa kanila ang kanyang mga kamay, saka umalis.

Reflection for August 16 Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 19:3-12

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?  

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate. They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.  

His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.

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Reflection:

How’s your married life?  

From the beginning up until this very moment separation is never in the agenda of God. God’s desire for married couples is to remain married until death. Yet, some contradict this agenda of God by introducing separation in the marriage. Some contradict this agenda of God by betraying the sacred marriage vows, not once, not twice but many times.  

But come to think of it, why do married couples separate? They separate because there is an absence of God in their marriage. They separate because they allow the temptations of the devil to overpower God and His command to make marriage Sacred and Holy.  This is the primary reason otherwise they wouldn’t separate if there’s an active presence of God in their marriage.  

When God is left out of the marriage or the teaching of God is not taken seriously. The devil is given the opportunity to create havoc in the couple’s married life. And the devil will never stop until it finally destroys the marriage covenant of the couple.   

Therefore, make Jesus an active player in your marriage.  How are you going to do this? Have time for Holy Mass as a family. Have time for prayer as a family and have time for reading and afterwards reflection of the words of Jesus in the bible as a family.  

Is Jesus an active member in your marriage? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Agosto 16, Biyernes sa Ika-19 na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 19:3-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo19:3-12

Noong panahong iyon, may mga Pariseong lumapit kay Hesus at tinangkang siluin siya sa pamamagitan ng tanong na ito: "Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa sa kahit anong kadahilanan?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi ba ninyo nababasa sa Kasulatan na sa pasimula'y nilalang sila ng Maykapal, lalaki at babae? At sinabi, 'Dahil dito, iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama't ina, at magsasama sila ng kanyang asawa; at sila'y magiging iisa.  

kaya't hindi na sila dalawa kundi isa. Ang pinagsama ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao." Tinanong siya ng mga Pariseo, "Bakit iniutos ni Moises na bigyan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa ng kasulatan sa paghihiwalay bago hiwalayan iyon?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo kaya ipinahintulot ni Moises na hiwalayan ninyo ang inyong asawa.  

Subalit hindi gayon sa pasimula. Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: sinumang lalaking humiwalay sa kanyang asawa sa anumang dahilan liban sa pakikiapid, at mag-asawa sa iba, ay nangangalunya. At ang mag-asawa sa babaing hiniwalayan ay nangangalunya rin." Sinabi ng mga alagad, "Kung ganyan po ang kalagayan ng lalaki sa kanyang asawa, mabuti pang huwag nang mag-asawa." Sumagot si Jesus, "Hindi lahat ay makatatanggap ng simulaing iyan kundi iyon lamang pinagkalooban ng Diyos.  

Sapagkat may iba't-ibang dahilan kung bakit may lalaking hindi makapag-asawa; ang ilan, dahil sa kanilang katutubong kalagayan; ang iba, dahil sa kagagawan ng ibang tao ay nagkagayon sila; mayroon namang hindi nag-aasawa alang-alang sa ikauunlad ng paghahari ng Diyos. Ang makatatanggap ng simulaing ito ay tumanggap nito." 

Reflection for Thursday August 15 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  

He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”  

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

A rich and generous woman always gave to anyone in need, whether or not they asked for help. A close friend, amazed by her generosity, asked, 'Why are you so generous? Don’t you keep something for yourself?' The generous woman replied, 'I am not a permanent dweller in this world. Sooner or later, I will be leaving, and my acts of generosity are my way of preparing for my journey to heaven, where I will permanently dwell with my God.

Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This dogma was defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1 1950. It states that the immaculate Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, after completing her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”  

The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin reminds all of us of what awaits us when our time to depart this world comes. We are also destined for heaven someday but we are still presently in a journey. Therefore we are called to do good and to touch lives.

In the gospel, the Blessed Mother went to visit her cousin Elizabeth for she knew that her cousin was in need of her help. It was an unexpected visit from the Blessed Mother which her cousin Elizabeth deeply appreciated. They shared lots of stories about themselves. They strengthened each other’s morale, love and bond. Thus, the Blessed Mother stayed with her cousin until she gave birth.  

After Elizabeth gave birth, Mary went home happy and fulfilled for she has done something worthy and important in the life of her cousin Elizabeth.  When we do something worthy and important towards others we would also feel that happiness and fulfillment. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Agosto 15 Ang Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pag-aakyat sa Langit sa Mahal na Birheng Maria: Lucas 1:39-56

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-56

Si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Juda. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan. 

Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak na sinabi, "Pinagpala ka sa mga babae, at pinagpala rin ang dinadala mo sa iyong sinapupunan! Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw ang sanggol sa tuwa sa aking tiyan. 

Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!" 

At sinabi ni Maria, "Ang puso ko'y nagpupuri sa Panginoon, at nagagalak ang aking espiritu dahil sa Diyos na aking Tagapagligtas. Sapagkat nilingap niya ang kanyang abang alipin! At mula ngayon, ako'y tatawaging mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. Dahil sa mga dakilang bagay na ginawa sa akin ng Makapangyarihan -- Banal ang kanyang pangalan! 

Kinahahabagan niya ang mga may takot sa kanya, sa lahat ng sali't-saling lahi. Ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang mga bisig, pinangalat niya ang mga palalo ang isipan. ibinagsak niya ang mga hari mula sa kanilang trono, at itinaas ang mga nasa abang kalagayan.  

Binusog niya ng mabubuting bagay ang mga nagugutom, at pinalayas niyang wala ni anuman ang mayayaman. Tinulungan niya ang kanyang bayang Israel, bilang pagtupad sa pangako niya sa ating mga magulang, kay Abraham at sa kanyang lahi, magpakailanman!" 

Tumira si Maria kina Elisabet nang may tatlong buwan, at saka umuwi. 

Reflection for Wednesday August 14 Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: Matthew 18:15-20

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. 

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

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Reflection:

Mr. A and Mr. B have been friends for more than thirty years. Like in other friendships, they have their share of disagreements. Ninety-five percent of these disagreements stem from their strong sense of self, or ego. Whenever they disagree, it usually takes them almost a month before they talk again—all because of their egos.

In the gospel reading it says: “If your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” This is not easy to do, if someone sins against us would we still be willing to go to the individual at fault just to tell him about it? Isn’t our mindset the other way around? 

To reach out to someone who did us wrong is hard to do, unless we have the virtue of Humility. The normal scenario here would be like this: You sinned against me or you did me wrong, you therefore have to apologize to me and not me going to you to tell you that you sinned against me. 

It takes great humility to say: I’m sorry or to apologize. However, this is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus for the simple reason that Jesus is the number one model of humility. 

We may not know this but truth be told, if we are humble we silently earn the respect and admiration of everyone.  If we are humble we are always peaceful and the more that Jesus is seen in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Ang Mabuting Balita Miyerkules Agosto 14 Paggunita kay San Maximiliano Maria Kolbe, pari at martir: Mateo 18:15-20

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:15-20

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: "Kung magkasala sa iyo ang kapatid mo, puntahan mo siya at kausapin nang sarilinan. Kapag nakinig siya sa iyo, ang pagsasama ninyong magkapatid ay napanauli mo sa dati at napapanumbalik mo siya sa Ama.  

Ngunit kung hindi siya makinig sa iyo, magsama ka pa ng isa o dalawang tao upang ang lahat ng pinag-uusapan ninyo ay mapatunayan ng dalawa o tatlong saksi. Kung hindi siya makinig sa kanila, sabihin mo ito sa pagtitipon sa simbahan.  

At kung hindi pa siya makinig sa natitipong simbahan, ituring mo siyang isang Hentil o isang publikano." "Sinasabi ko sa inyo: anumang ipagbawal ninyo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at anumang ipahintulot ninyo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa langit."

"Sinasabi ko pa rin sa inyo: kung ang dalawa sa inyo dito sa lupa ay magkaisa sa paghingi ng anumang bagay sa inyong panalangin, ipagkakaloob ito sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat saanman may dalawa o tatlong nagkakatipon dahil sa akin, naroon akong kasama nila."

Reflection for August 13 Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 

See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

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Reflection:

A rebellious young lady had five children from five different men. She indulged in every sin this world could offer her. There was no sign of repentance in her heart; she continued to sin as if it were her daily routine. Hence, her relatives had already given up on her.  

In the gospel, Jesus speaks about searching for the lost sheep and seeking out those who stray, no matter where they are. Unlike us, who often give up on those who do not listen, Jesus doesn’t give up. He continuously searches for those who sin or are lost. No sin is too big for the merciful heart of Jesus. 

Each and every one of us are precious in the eyes of the Lord, He holds us dearly in His loving heart. No matter if we are big time or small time sinners we are all precious in His eyes. 

In so many ways the gospel invites us to reflect on how we feel towards those who sin. Have we already given up on them because they don’t listen to us? Or we continue to patiently wait or even search for them. Until we find them so that we could offer them our unconditional love.    

Do you easily give up on those who sin or you patiently wait and pray for them until they see the healing light of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Agosto 13 Ika-19 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Nang mga sandaling iyo'y lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong, "Sino po ang pinakadakila sa kaharian ng langit?" Tinawag ni Jesus ang isang bata, pinatayo sa harapan nila, at sinabi, "Tandaan ninyo ito: kapag hindi kayo nagbago, at tumulad sa mga bata, hinding-hindi kayo mabibilang sa pinaghaharian ng Diyos.  

Ang sinumang nagpapakababa na gaya ng batang ito ay siyang pinakadakila sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos. Ang sinumang tumatanggap sa isang batang ganito dahil sa akin ay ako ang tinatanggap." Ingatan ninyo na huwag ninyong hamakin ang isa sa mga maliliit na ito. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa langit ang kanilang mga anghel ay laging nasa harapan ng aking Ama. "Ano sa akala ninyo ang gagawin ng isang taong may isang sandaang tupa kung maligaw ang isa sa mga iyon?  

Hindi kaya niya iiwan ang siyanmnapu't siyam na nanginginain sa kaburulan upang hanapin ang naligaw? Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kapag nasumpungan niya ito, higit niyang ikinagagalak ang isang ito kaysa siyamnapu't siyam na hindi naligaw. Gayon din naman, hindi kalooban ng inyong Amang nasa langit na mapahamak ang isa sa maliliit na ito." 

Reflection for Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 17:22-27

Gospel: Matthew 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief.  

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?  

From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”  

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 Reflection:

To pay or not to pay the temple tax, of course Jesus did right when He decided to pay. What if Jesus decided not to pay the temple tax? He would have been a bad example to His followers and He would have given His opponents a window of opportunity to persecute Him earlier than expected.  

For Jesus, doing right is always His top priority; doing wrong is never in His mind. His focus is always on doing what is good and right. We must also strive to do good and do right at all times. 

Although we are not required to give a certain percentage of our income to the church. In hindsight this gospel invites us also to examine our generosity toward our church, how generous are we in giving to our church? For example, during Holy Mass, how generous are we during offertory? Do we give from the heart or we give out from our spare or crumbs?  

We must give generously for whatever we give generously to the church the Good Lord will give  back to us a hundredfold. We can never outgive God because the more that we give Him the more that we would receive from Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas       

Ang Mabuting Balita: Agosto 12, Lunes sa Ika-19 na Linggo sa ng Karaniwang Panahon: Mateo 17:22-27

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:22-27

Noong panahong iyon, nang nagkakatipon sa Galilea, ang mga alagad, sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, "Ang Anak ng Tao ay ipagkakanulo at papatayin, ngunit muling mabubuhay sa ikatlong araw," At sila'y lubhang nagdalamhati. Pagdating nila sa Capernaum, lumapit kay Pedro ang mga maniningil ng buwis para sa templo. Tinanong siya, "Nagbabayad ba ng buwis para sa templo ang inyong Guro?" "Opo," sagot ni Pedro.  

At nang dumating siya sa bahay, tinanong na agad siya ni Jesus: "Ano ba ang palagay mo, Simon? Kanino sumisingil ng bayad sa lisensiya o buwis ang mga hari sa lupa? Sa mga mamamayan ba o mga dayuhan?"  

"Sa mga dayuhan po," tugon niya. sinabi ni Jesus, "Kung gayon, hindi pinagbabayad ang mga mamamayan. Gayunaman, para wala silang masabi sa atin, pumaroon ka sa lawa at ihagis mo ang kawil. Kunin mo ang unang isdang mahuhuli. Ibuka mo ang bibig nito at may makikita kang isang salaping pilak. Kunin mo ito at ibayad mo sa buwis nating dalawa."