Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
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."

Reflection

The disciples had been told that Jesus is going to be executed and they know the temple is part of that. Then comes up the question of, do we have to pay tax to this institution?

And Jesus makes a really interesting analogy. He said, You know, when a foreign country comes into your country, they never tax themselves. They tax the people they occupy, the people that they control. So Jesus makes clear that the temple sees Him as an outsider. And so Jesus does not feel obligated to pay any tax. But because He didn't want to upset them or make it an issue.

He let His father pay. Yes, Peter, go. There'll be a miraculous coin for you and for me in the fish that you find from my father.

Closing Prayer

Jesus respects the temple for what it stands for, not for what it's become. And it's a good example for us as we look at institutions and things that are not really what they should be. And we want to maybe destroy them, or condemn them, but really we want them to change and we need to respect them for what they represent. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross