Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:22-27

As they 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, "Doesn't 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."

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus predicts his own death and resurrection.  He tells his disciples that he must suffer great pain and be put to death, but that he will be raised on the third day.  The Gospel reading says that his disciples were “overwhelmed with grief.”  In today’s message, Jesus is telling the disciples that the world will have many demands on them and many of the demands are painful and will cause great suffering.  At the same time, Jesus is confronted about paying the temple tax; again, an earthly demand.  Jesus tells his disciples that they must pay so as not to set a bad example.  He tells Peter to go to the sea and to catch a fish and in its mouth will be a coin worth twice the temple tax.  He is to give all of it to the tax collector.  Jesus is giving his disciples two lessons; first that they must go beyond the earthly demands and set an example by overpaying the taxes and secondly, that God will provide for all their needs.  He is telling his disciples that they are not free from the demands of the world and that if they put their faith in God, he will provide for both their spiritual and earthly needs.  God demonstrates his abundance and love in many ways.  Not only does he provide the money necessary to pay the tax, but he provides enough money to pay twice the tax.  Our sins are like the temple tax, Jesus was sent by his Father to pay for those sins.  His actions more than covered every trespass we commit against God.  It is in the death and resurrection of Christ that all our spiritual taxes  have been paid and that our souls are set free from eternal damnation. Christ gives us the ultimate example in today’s Gospel.  He tells us that God gives us the abundant grace of forgiveness.  That through our own suffering, we too are called to pay the spiritual taxes of our fellow brothers and sisters.  Are you willing to suffer for your brothers and sisters?

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, you sent your son to die for my sins.

I am truly sorry for every trespass I commit.

And I forgive all those who have trespassed against me.

Give me the faith to trust in you and your salvation.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon