Dishonorable Intentions

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

St. Mark very graphically describes how the plot against Jesus develops. Today's passage from the Gospel of St. Mark tells us that the Pharisees and the Herodians are now in league with one another. So desperate had the Pharisees become in their desire to eliminate Jesus that they violated their own principles and sensibilities by working with Herod's faction, a group with which they professed to have nothing in common. They would have considered these men to be outside the Law and, therefore, would have avoided all association with them. The fact that they are working with them in the plot against Jesus shows us that they are not only misguided in their objections to Jesus but also jealous of his popularity with the people. In short, Jesus is a threat to their position and authority in the community.

The plot against Jesus began quite quietly with objections being raised silently, in their thoughts. St. Mark tells us that Jesus knew their thoughts. Next the Pharisees expressed their objections to his disciples. Jesus also intercepted them in this situation. Then they began to argue with Jesus openly only to be thwarted in their attempts to trip him up. Now we see them consorting with men that they consider beneath contempt. They cannot sink much lower.

In the instance of the question about the Roman coin, Jesus exposes them for the cowards they are. They apparently have one of the coins of which they speak. This in itself would have been forbidden because it violated the first commandment of the Law. The coin is engraved with the countenance of the "Divine Caesar." By possessing it, they possess a graven image of another god. Once again, Jesus has thoroughly confounded their argument.

When trying to solve a crime, the authorities are mindful to ascertain the motive involved. St. Mark is careful to delineate the motives of Jesus' enemies. Faced as they were with the forthcoming persecution of the Roman authorities, Mark's community is in much the same position. By so portraying the motives of the Pharisees, St. Mark is making a comment on the motives of the Roman Empire in its desperate attempt to eliminate the Christian community.

Today's Gospel asks us to be sure that our motivation is pure and our intent clear in our pursuit of our goals. Unfortunately, sometimes our motivation is also less than admirable.