The Christian Call

Today’s Gospel Text: As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed. 24 When they came to Caper'na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?" 26 And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself." Matt 17:22-27

Reflection:  when you are in trouble, then you would least want another situation of trouble but sometimes you invariably end up with someone wanting to give you more of it.

The worse situation would be when your best and closest friends instead of understanding you and warding off the evil that is about to befall you, drag you further into it.

Do we have a similar situation in the gospel of today; Jesus is already in a situation where in he is troubled at his fate at the hands of wicked men, who want to kill him?  Immediately, afterwards, we find the collectors of the half-shekel confronting Peter and enquiring of him whether his teacher pays the annual temple tax.

Peter seems to be protective about the Lord by being untruthful, in this lie he seems to be protective about Jesus. It seems to show his love for Jesus and how much he cares for him.

But Jesus is not pleased with that lie of Peter and confronts him; Jesus can protect himself, but surely, he doesn’t want to be the reason for scandal, for anyone.

In the process Jesus clearly communicates to us a great truth about us as his children. When God accepts us we become his children and we are in a way above all earthly laws and principles.

This principle firstly enjoins on us to be detached from the material wealth; for as children of the heavenly Father, we belong to him and to his eternal kingdom.

Though not bound, this privilege enjoins on us to obey the laws of the land to which we belong as long as they do not infringe on the Law of God and to pay our taxes, lest we become a source of scandal to others.

The witness of a Christian to the sacrifice of the love of Jesus Christ is far more important than any laws and commandments. It shows forth our love for Jesus.

 

Prayer: Lord, let me keep my calling in mind and privilege I have in you before I act.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us