Matthew 17:22-27
As Jesus and his disciples 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, "Does not 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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Although we are not called to be "of" this world, there is no doubt that we are still in this world.
In today's reading, Jesus pays the temple tax, doing the things of this world so that "we may not offend them." Matthew, the tax collector, makes note of this little tidbit. Maybe he made note of this because he was a tax collector. Maybe he made a note of this because he recognized that in order for Christ to fulfill His mission, He had to do some things He didn't want to do. Maybe he made a note of this because it was a great testimony to how God provides what we need in order to continue to live the Gospel.
In order for Christ to fulfill His mission, there were many things He had to do, from menial things such as paying taxes, to giving His whole life for His bride. May we never see menial this as unnecessary things; all things we do we are called to do by God. All things we are called to do by God help us grow in holiness, and eventually, help us grow toward heaven. Take care and God Bless.
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