The error of the unprincipled

In the United States on this day, the last Presidential primary elections are being held.

Coincidentally, today’s Gospel (Mark 12:13-17) presents us with our Lord’s famous words concerning political matters (as more traditionally translated):

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
and to God the things that are God's.

Many people, of course, can still get confused about the things that are Caesar’s and the things that are God’s, especially as Caesar involves himself more and more in every aspect of human existence.

Moreover, politics invariably is a field where people easily detach from their principles for the sake of expediency and “influence”.

The words of today’s first reading (2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18) are thus especially relevant:

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.