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Monday 19th Week in Ordinary Time
Washington Retreat House
August 12, 2019
TAX EXEMPT ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø The issue of the payment of the temple tax forms the core of today’s Gospel
Ø Scripture scholars give us some interesting insights into what is going on here
THOUGH HE PAYS TAX ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø First, in the conversation between Jesus and Peter, what emerges is that kings do not impose taxes on their own family and subjects
Ø Instead, they collect taxes from foreigners whose country they have defeated and subjugated
Ø On that, Jesus says that he is exempt from the tax
WHY’S JESUS EXEMPT? ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Why does he say that?
Ø Scholars say the king Jesus is referring to here is really God & since J is Son of God, he’s exempt
Ø So here is a subtle claim to his being Son of God
MODELS DUTY TO SOCIETY +++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Still, J agrees 2 pay tax so as not to offend anyone
Ø Idea is he wants to be a good example to others
Ø So upholds need 4 responsibility & duty 2 society
Ø So he wants to pay the tax
HOW TO MEET DUTY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Finally, there’s interesting way 4 getting the $$$
Ø J tells Peter 2 get the coin out of mouth of a fish
Ø If it were only so easy to pay our bills that way!
Ø Well, 1 Scripture scholar clarifies that J refuses to perform miracles for his own benefit or ends
Ø E.g., in desert he refuses to turn stone into bread
Ø What J is doing isn’t making something miraculous happen – like getting coin from a fish
Ø Instead, he’s using an idiom of day and his language and really telling Peter 2 go back 2 his job of fishing and there will B enough $ to pay tax
Ø In effect saying to Peter, “You’ll get plenty of $$$ out of fish you catch in order to pay the bills”
Ø Jesus reaffirms a sense of responsibility and work
LESSONS LEARNED +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø We’re not beyond the law
Ø We can B G-abiding in Jesus who is the Son of God
Ø And we can be tax-abiding making enough from our labor to do so
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