84. Death and Taxes

While everyone was marveling at the things Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of those who will kill him; and when he is dead, on the third day he will rise again.” They didn’t understand this saying. Its meaning was hidden to them, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.”

When he came into the house, Jesus said, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”

Peter said to him, “From strangers.”

Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes. When you open its mouth, you will find a coin. Take that, and give it to them for us.”

Reflection

There is a definite irony in Jesus paying the temple tax now and later driving out of the temple the people involved in collecting the tax. Such actions show ambivalence toward what the temple represented, not so different from the ambivalence many feel toward church today. How do you view church? What about church do you find disappointing or upsetting? What about it do you find meaningful? 

Prayer: Lead us, Lord, to be the kind of church you would have us be.