“The sons are free from
taxation. However, we don’t want to offend these people … pay them our taxes.”
(Mt 17:27)
Meditation: Peter seems to
be quite unhappy since the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount Tabor. How
happy and pleasant he was there on the top of the mountain, even ready to make
three booths over there: one for Jesus, one for Moses and the other for Elijah.
After their coming down to the plain ground, everything turned turtle; they
were reproached by Jesus himself for their little faith, they were taught on
His passion, death and resurrection and finally, now questioned by the temple
tax-collectors as to whether they paid tax or not. Certainly, it would have
been better if they had remained there on the top of the mountain, Peter might
have thought once again. But, see Jesus, how he handles the problems of desperate
Peter. Jesus makes him understand first that even though there is no need of
paying religious taxes; for they are sons; pay them in order that it may not
offend those people. The letter to the Hebrews reminds us, “Try to be at peace
with everyone.” (12:14) And St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says, “If
food makes my brother sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make my
brother fall into sin.” (1 Cor 8:13) Then, indeed, it is a question of making
others not to sin as well as a question of making ourselves not to sin. Finally,
it is also call to try to live a life of holiness that of course needs a lot of
sacrifices; it demands your money, time, talents etc.
Prayer: Lord
Jesus, we thank you and praise you for your guidance and encouragement everyday
you give through your eternal word to each one of us. Whenever we prove
ourselves desperate and disinterested, come to our help and make our heart and
mind enlightened. Lord, send your Holy Spirit and fill us with your gifts. Amen!
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