Word to the Wise
Monday, August 12, 2013 - Monday in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time
[Deut 10:12-22 and Matt 17:22-27]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.
The gospel does have a way of providing some fodder for the imagination! One can only wonder what the temple tax collectors thought of that smelly coin! Maybe Peter just plopped the whole fish in from of them and said, "Here's purse with the coin in it!"
The point of Jesus' teaching here is that his disciples [including those who would come later] are related to HIM and are not bound by the temple [which was already destroyed by the time the gospel was written] observances. Nevertheless, there is nothing to be lost by being sensitive to the feelings and rituals of others as long as they do not contradict the faith! So, the temple tax folks get their coin. St. Paul would deal with this same subject in regard to food offered to idols. [1 Cor 8 and 9]. Yes, there is a certain freedom that comes with our faith, but we need not use it as a weapon. The same thing is true for those who find older observances helpful but also adopt them as a way of "judging" those who do not act as they do. In short, spiritual "boorishness" is not acceptable for a good disciple. AMEN