For Me and For You

For Me and For You

Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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." Matthew 17:25-27

Piety

“Could you ask as much from any other man?”

Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Jesus Christ, Superstar

Study

Jesus can seem so revolutionary as he works to upset the expected order of society.  However, then he turns around and surprises us by taking steps directly to NOT rock the boat. Although Peter and the disciples were free from the legal duty to pay the temple tax, Jesus told Peter to pay it anyway.

The notes in the NABRE explain that “before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in A.D. 70 every male Jew above nineteen years of age was obliged to make an annual contribution to its upkeep (cf. Ex 30:11–16; Neh 10:33). After the destruction, the Romans imposed upon Jews the obligation of paying that tax for the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus.

Although Jesus and his followers are exempt, in order to avoid giving offense, the tax is to be paid.  Many times, we witness Jesus at his revolutionary best. Yet other times, he opts for a more evolutionary change that does not upset the powers that be. At least just not yet.

1. Tell no one what you witnessed.  
2. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.
3. Honor thy Father and thy Mother.   

Hardly the words of a radical.  But clearly the words of someone who will humbly say, “Not my will but yours.” “That is who you say that I am.”

Action

Would you ask as much from any other man?

This example of humble obedience serves as a standard for the conduct of all the disciples.

Growing up we often had to do things we did not want to do and two phrases from Parental Instruction 101 stood out.

1. Offer it up.

2. Grin and bear it.

What are some of the actions you take reluctantly but you take them nonetheless?  What is the payoff? Perhaps there is no reward other than getting to know what Jesus did better and more personally.