Biographical Information about St. Clare[1]
Readings for Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c
The Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of God is presented as having taken place before the Babylonian exile (593 BC). This entire sequence of visions is part of Ezekiel’s call to his prophetic vocation. The four winged creatures symbolize the cherubim (see also Ezekiel 10:1-2(20-21). The descriptive elements are similar to those provided in other Old Testament sources (see Exodus 24:9-10 and Exodus 33:18-23.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Psalm 148 is a hymn of praise inviting all of God’s creation to praise Him. This exhortation to exalt the Lord flows from the beatific vision of God in Ezekiel (above).
Gospel Matthew 17:22-27
This passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel begins with the second passion prediction (the first immediately followed the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 16:21-23). Where the first time Jesus made this prediction there was argument from the disciples, in this instance they are overwhelmed with grief.
The second element of the reading deals with Jesus and Peter (again we note the special emphasis on Peter as leader of the disciples) and the payment of the temple tax. Jesus uses the example of “tolls or census tax” to indicate that they should be exempt from paying the tax. (Taxes are for those who are not of the land, hence temple taxes are for those not of God’s family – since Jesus is of God’s family they are exempt from the temple tax.)
Yet, the Lord instructs Peter that the tax should be paid regardless because “But that we may not offend them…” This implies Christ’s compassion for those who do not understand his identity. God provides what is needed in these situations. (The fish with a coin would be symbolic to the early Christian community of Christ (symbolized by the fish) providing what was needed.
Reflection:
What strikes us as most compelling about the scripture passages provided today is the instruction given to St. Peter by Jesus concerning the Temple Tax. While to the early Christians this had direct relevance because they, as practicing Jews, were bound by Mosaic Law to pay a half-shekel for each adult male (see Exodus 30:13-15). Jesus made it clear that he and his disciples were not bound by this law because Jesus, as the Son of God, was greater then the temple. However, so as not to scandalize the community, he would pay the tax.
It is the method with which he instructed St. Peter to get the money for the tax that is interesting. Jesus did not dip into a money belt to provide the funds. Rather he sent his disciple to catch a fish and in this fish (caught with a hook, not a net) the money for the temple tax would be found; enough for both Jesus and St. Peter.
Such a subtle message is given here. Our God provides for us when we are in need. In the case of Jesus, he does so by miraculous means. He could just as easily told St. Peter to go and cast a net as was traditional for fishing. That has been seen time and again in the Gospel. But no – he tells St. Peter to drop a hook into the water. A hook will only catch one fish at a time and the one fish St. Peter will catch contains what is needed for the temple tax.
There are times in everyone’s lives when we need something and have no idea how we will get what we need. For those of us with faith in Christ, those needs are fulfilled. Sometimes what happens is immediately recognizable as a gift from God – like St. Peter’s fish with the coin inside. Other times we must look back from a later point in our lives to see how subtly the Lord has responded. The key however is faith. If we have faith in God (the size of a mustard seed) he will not let us down.
We see that message today – that God will provide what we need; even if it is not what we expect. We pray today that our faith may allow us to see and understand how God responds in our lives and always be thankful for his mercy and love.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “St. Clare of Assisi” by Simone Martini, 1322-26
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Readings for Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c
The Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of God is presented as having taken place before the Babylonian exile (593 BC). This entire sequence of visions is part of Ezekiel’s call to his prophetic vocation. The four winged creatures symbolize the cherubim (see also Ezekiel 10:1-2(20-21). The descriptive elements are similar to those provided in other Old Testament sources (see Exodus 24:9-10 and Exodus 33:18-23.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Psalm 148 is a hymn of praise inviting all of God’s creation to praise Him. This exhortation to exalt the Lord flows from the beatific vision of God in Ezekiel (above).
Gospel Matthew 17:22-27
This passage from St. Matthew’s Gospel begins with the second passion prediction (the first immediately followed the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 16:21-23). Where the first time Jesus made this prediction there was argument from the disciples, in this instance they are overwhelmed with grief.
The second element of the reading deals with Jesus and Peter (again we note the special emphasis on Peter as leader of the disciples) and the payment of the temple tax. Jesus uses the example of “tolls or census tax” to indicate that they should be exempt from paying the tax. (Taxes are for those who are not of the land, hence temple taxes are for those not of God’s family – since Jesus is of God’s family they are exempt from the temple tax.)
Yet, the Lord instructs Peter that the tax should be paid regardless because “But that we may not offend them…” This implies Christ’s compassion for those who do not understand his identity. God provides what is needed in these situations. (The fish with a coin would be symbolic to the early Christian community of Christ (symbolized by the fish) providing what was needed.
Reflection:
What strikes us as most compelling about the scripture passages provided today is the instruction given to St. Peter by Jesus concerning the Temple Tax. While to the early Christians this had direct relevance because they, as practicing Jews, were bound by Mosaic Law to pay a half-shekel for each adult male (see Exodus 30:13-15). Jesus made it clear that he and his disciples were not bound by this law because Jesus, as the Son of God, was greater then the temple. However, so as not to scandalize the community, he would pay the tax.
It is the method with which he instructed St. Peter to get the money for the tax that is interesting. Jesus did not dip into a money belt to provide the funds. Rather he sent his disciple to catch a fish and in this fish (caught with a hook, not a net) the money for the temple tax would be found; enough for both Jesus and St. Peter.
Such a subtle message is given here. Our God provides for us when we are in need. In the case of Jesus, he does so by miraculous means. He could just as easily told St. Peter to go and cast a net as was traditional for fishing. That has been seen time and again in the Gospel. But no – he tells St. Peter to drop a hook into the water. A hook will only catch one fish at a time and the one fish St. Peter will catch contains what is needed for the temple tax.
There are times in everyone’s lives when we need something and have no idea how we will get what we need. For those of us with faith in Christ, those needs are fulfilled. Sometimes what happens is immediately recognizable as a gift from God – like St. Peter’s fish with the coin inside. Other times we must look back from a later point in our lives to see how subtly the Lord has responded. The key however is faith. If we have faith in God (the size of a mustard seed) he will not let us down.
We see that message today – that God will provide what we need; even if it is not what we expect. We pray today that our faith may allow us to see and understand how God responds in our lives and always be thankful for his mercy and love.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “St. Clare of Assisi” by Simone Martini, 1322-26
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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