In examining today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 17:22-27), two major themes emerge. The first theme is the second time that Jesus announces his impending death and resurrection. The first time he did, Jesus met with a strong reaction and even denial from Peter (Matthew 16:21-22); this second announcement is met more by grief.
I am reminded of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and how she discussed the human reaction to life-altering or life-threatening events. Her five stages of grief include: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I see Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ announcement in this light. In the Matthew 16 account, he denies the possibility (denial) and rebukes (anger) Jesus for saying that he would suffer and be killed. As time passes and Peter gets closer to Jesus, I wonder whether Peter and the other disciples have progressed toward a better understanding of Jesus’ path toward resurrection (bargaining, depression, and acceptance). I don’t necessarily think that Peter has accepted Jesus’ fate, but I wonder whether he has resigned himself to its eventual happening. Thus, we see in Matthew 17 Peter’s “grief” associated with the announcement.
Life throws a lot at us, mostly good, but some not so much. As frustrating as these events may be, I think we can take a lesson from Peter. We must remind ourselves that God has a reason for everything. We may not understand why, and we may get distressed and even angry about our current path, but we must remind ourselves that it is all part of God’s plan. When we begin to accept his plan, we can find solace in it.
The second theme from today’s reading relates to the paying of the temple tax. Although “simple” at one level, I initially struggled to take meaning from Jesus’ actions and message. The simple: When asked about who should pay the temple tax to the king, Jesus noted that the “foreigners” should pay with the subjects being exempt. We know that Jesus did not see himself as being a subject of any earthly king and, thus, was neither a foreigner nor a subject. Despite this, Jesus believes he and Peter should pay the tax to support the temple and its functions, and to avoid controversy or scandal. I believe that Jesus is recommending that we follow the law as well, if it does not conflict with God’s teachings. Jesus then has Peter drop a hook and take a coin from the first fish that comes up. Peter would then use that coin to pay the tax for both of them. This miracle, often cited as the only miracle Jesus performed that “benefited” Jesus directly, was a subtle or not-so-subtle way to demonstrate that despite paying the tax, Jesus still ruled the earth and all of creation. After all, when was the last time you caught a fish and found a coin in its mouth?
What does all this mean? Jesus knew his mission and he did not let trivial matters, such as paying the temple tax, distract him or others from it. It is a reminder to all of us to stay focused on God and his teachings. Yes, we will be distracted by the trivial, even though at the time it may not seem so trivial; however, we must not let these distractions keep us from our mission to abide by the teachings of Jesus as he points our way to everlasting life.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!