Week 45 of the Church year
ശൂനോയോയ്ക്കു ശേഷം മൂന്നാം ഞായർ
Tax collectors ask Peter whether his teacher pays the Temple tax. Jesus says the king’s children should be free, but pays anyway, with a coin Peter finds in the mouth of a fish.
In Galilee Jesus tells his disciples he will be betrayed, killed and raised on the third day, and they are deeply grieved. In Capernaum the Temple tax collectors question Peter. Jesus says sons are free, but so as not to offend, sends Peter to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth.
This is an unusual and gentle story about freedom and not giving needless offence.
Jesus was free not to pay, and paid anyway, so as not to make anyone stumble.
ഈ ഞായറാഴ്ചയുടെ വായനകൾ
Jesus on marriage: what God has joined together, let no one separate.
The parable of the pounds: well done, good servant, faithful in a very little.
Moses goes up into the cloud on Sinai for forty days and nights.
Samuel tells Eli everything; all Israel knows he is a prophet of the Lord.
If the wicked turn from their sins, they will surely live.
Weep, you rich: the wages you held back cry out.
Paul appeals by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Jesus foretells his death; Peter finds the Temple tax in a fish’s mouth. This is the Gospel of the day.
Open in five scenesMoses goes up the mountain into the cloud, and the boy Samuel becomes known as a prophet. Ezekiel says if the wicked turn from their ways they will live. James warns the rich who hold back wages, and Paul speaks with the gentleness of Christ.
References follow the official lectionary of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Your parish may read them in a different order.
Pick a scene to see what happens in it and what is easy to miss.
As they gather in Galilee, Jesus says: the Son of Man will be handed over, they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised. The disciples are greatly distressed.
They hear the death and miss the resurrection. Grief closes their ears to the last part.
In Capernaum the collectors of the Temple tax ask Peter: does your teacher not pay the tax? Yes, he does, says Peter.
Peter answers for Jesus without asking him first. He is often quick to speak.
At home Jesus asks: from whom do kings collect taxes, from their own children or from others? From others. Then the children are free, says Jesus.
The tax was for God’s house. Jesus is the Son of the house, so he owes nothing.
But so that we do not cause offence, go to the lake, throw out a hook and take the first fish you catch.
Jesus chooses to give up a right so others are not hurt. Paul teaches the same in 1 Corinthians 8.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and for you.
One coin pays for both. Jesus includes Peter with himself.
The verse to keep
“എങ്കിലും നാം അവർക്കു ഇടർച്ച വരുത്താതിരിക്കേണ്ടതിന്നു നീ കടലിലേക്കു ചെന്നു ചൂണ്ടൽ ഇട്ടു ആദ്യം കിട്ടുന്ന മീനിനെ എടുക്ക; അതിന്റെ വായ് തുറക്കുമ്പോൾ ഒരു ചതുർദ്രഹ്മപ്പണം കാണും; അതു എടുത്തു എനിക്കും നിനക്കും വേണ്ടി കൊടുക്ക എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു.”But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Peterപത്രൊസ്
A fisherman sent back to fishing for a coin.
“Rock”
The tax collectorsദ്വിദ്രഹ്മപ്പണം വാങ്ങുന്നവർ
Men collecting the yearly half-shekel for the Temple.
“—”
സ്വതന്ത്രൻ, എങ്കിലും ഇടർച്ച വരുത്താതെ
This is one of the strangest stories in the Gospels, and one of the gentlest. Jesus has every right not to pay a tax for his Father’s house. He is the Son. But he does not insist on his rights. He pays, so as not to put an obstacle in anyone’s way.
Many arguments in families and parishes are about rights. Who should apologise first. Whose turn it is. What I am owed. Often we are technically right. Jesus shows another way: knowing you are free, and choosing to give way for the sake of peace and other people’s faith.
He also pays for Peter. One coin, for me and for you. It is a small picture of a much larger gift. On the cross Jesus paid what we could not, and included us with himself. Before we argue for our rights this week, it is worth remembering how much has been paid for us.
കുടുംബമായി സംസാരിക്കാം
Is there a right you have been insisting on that you could give up for someone else’s sake?
Two minutes after the audio. Everyone gets a turn, and nobody is interrupted.Let one argument go this week, even if you are right, for the sake of peace.
Lord Jesus, you were free and still paid the tax for yourself and Peter. Teach us to give up our rights for the sake of others, and thank you for paying what we owed. Amen.
The whole year
Every Sunday of the Church year, season by season: readings, the Gospel and a question for the family.
Sunday 17 of 18 in Pentecost