GCR Women

Today is the day our income tax is due.  We have various opinions about the taxes we pay in this country, but right now, it's the law of the land and we do what's required of us. Once, Jesus was approached by a group of Pharisees and Herodians trying to trip him up and hoping to be able to get him into trouble with either the religious or civil authority.  On the surface to us today, this might seem like a simple situation.  But there are layers of unspoken traditions and truths that turn a simple scene into a powerful lesson for them and us.  This story is told in Matthew 22:15-21; Mark 12:13-17; and Luke 20:20-26. The Jewish people were required by Rome to pay a certain tax.  The tax had to be paid in the currency of Rome.  The Roman currency had on it a portrait - a graven image, if you will - of Caesar.  Some of the Jews saw possession of such a coin as a violation of the second commandment.  There was also an inscription on the coin stati...

About two weeks ago, I fell and dislocated my right shoulder.  If you've ever been in a position where one of your arms is disabled, you understand how frustrating these past two weeks have been.  To get an idea of how hard life is without use of your right arm, try wrapping it in a sling close to your body where it can't move.  Add some significant pain and you'll understand.  It's difficult, if not impossible, to do some things for yourself that you're used to doing pretty much without thinking.  Even now that my arm has begun to heal, so many things are out of reach. My left arm has been getting a workout but without my precious husband, I don't know how I'd have managed: helping me dress, buckling my seat belt, taking me everywhere I need to go, bringing me food and drink, pulling up the covers in bed, putting everything on my good side so I could reach it.  And all with great patience, tenderness, and love. But it hasn't been easy.  I'm pret...