GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 8TH AUGUST 2016
MONDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(MEMORIAL OF SAINT DOMINIC, PRIEST)
1ST READING: Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28
PSALM: Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
GOSPEL: Matthew 17:22-27
THEME: GIVE A GOOD EXAMPLE
The argument, “do what I say but not what I do”, does not really hold much water because “actions speak louder than words.” People watch us more than they listen to us.
At the time of Jesus, Jews would pay half-shekel annually for the maintenance of the temple and other priestly services rendered in the temple. The basis for this taxation can be found in Exodus 30:11-16. Jesus was a faithful Jew and therefore faithfully observed this demand of the Law. In our Gospel text for today, he directs Peter to pay the tax for the two of them.
In the chapter preceding today’s Gospel text, Peter, in response to the question of Jesus about his identity, said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (cf. Mt. 16:13-16). A theological problem now arises – if Jesus is the Son of God, why does he have to pay taxes? After all, even the priests and Levites were exempted from paying the tax because of their connection with the temple (cf. Ezra 7:24); how much more the one to whom the temple was his Father’s house?
The Gospel text for today answers the above question with the statement that Jesus makes to Peter, “…so that we do not give offense to them…”(Mt. 17:27). The Greek word translated as offense is “scandalizo”. It literally means to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall. It is from this Greek word that we have our English word “scandal”.
The decision of Jesus to pay the half-shekel, though he was the Son of God, was to avoid a situation where his non-payment would serve as a pretext for his followers and others not to do the right thing. In sum, he did not need to pay the temple tax and yet he pays it and thereby gives a good example.
Every action we take can either make someone stand or fall. You may say, “I am free. I can do whatever I like”. You are right but like Jesus, we should choose not to give offense. We are the “salt of the earth” and “light for the world” (Mt. 5:13ff). As such we are called upon to give good examples to everyone we encounter. Let us not scandalize anyone.
Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to follow your good example and by the way I live my life become a good example for others. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)