Memorial of St. Dominic, Priest

"Scandal and Sensitivity"

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?” (Matthew 17:24)

Sometimes Jesus’ teaching revolves around practical common sense. In today’s gospel reading, as the plots against Jesus begin to build, the temple tax collectors slyly ask Peter whether or not Jesus paid the temple tax. Jesus knew they weren’t as interested in whether or not he paid as in “catching” Him at something.

It’s the kind of situation we hate to be in, filled with fear and conflict. But if we watch Jesus, we can see that his response teaches a good lesson. He is calm and thoughtful and brings up the thorny issue Himself in front of the accusers who haven’t had the courage to face Him directly.

The accusation of the tax collectors isn’t fair, but Jesus doesn’t fight every injustice he sees. Rather than rail against the people who question Him, Jesus points out that he shouldn’t have to pay – but then pays anyway. He says we’ll pay the tax, “that we may not offend……”

Jesus doesn’t care if He offends these tax collectors, but He doesn’t want to get sidetracked by tax squabbles. In a small and delightful sign, Jesus tells Peter to catch the first fish that comes out of the sea and in its mouth would be a coin to cover the temple tax for both Jesus and Peter. He is saying, “Trust in God for the things you cannot control in your life.”

Often we get un-centered and self-absorbed by conflict. Jesus wants us to stay on focus and to trust in God rather than get caught up in unimportant conflicts of life. He wants to get back to His message of justice for the poor, loving our enemies and trusting in God. Today’s gospel is an invitation for us to accept the powerlessness we have in so many areas of our lives and to embrace it as a way to draw closer to God. Jesus doesn’t want us to surrender our peace to people who will draw us away from God by fretting, worrying and forgetting to surrender our lives lovingly to God and not to humans who pick away at us.

Today, August 8, is the Feast Day of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, known familiarly as the Dominicans. Founded in 1216, Saint Dominic’s order is focused on education and preaching. It is a privilege to share the Word of God through the technology of our time, which I suspect Saint Dominic would himself delight in and embrace.