The Children Are Free

Today's gospel reading (Matthew 17:22-27) is a combination of both tragedy and comedy. The first part of the gospel is the prediction of Jesus' passion and death, but also the resurrection on the third day. But the disciples are overwhelmed with grief. How often life is a combination of both joy and sorrow, happiness and suffering. If only we can see beyond the passing nature of experiences.

The second part is a comic situation of Jesus paying the temple tax of half-shekel. Not really comedy, but parody on the injustice of Jesus' days. Many tributes, fees, taxes and tithes were put on the common people as heavy burdens. But Jesus draws a lesson for Peter and for all of us through the event. There is no big discourse, but a simple demonstration of Jesus' calm and cool-headedness.

Honestly, Jesus' behaviour is a bit strange. Usually frank, outspoken and straightforward, but today in this passage he doesn't want to offend the tax collectors. He even makes it clear to Peter that children don’t pay tax to their father. They are free. This freedom, however, doesn’t exclude responsibilities towards others. And it is here that an important lesson is given to all of us. Our freedom shouldn’t cause scandal. Jesus is not up in arms fighting against the injustice, nor is he grumbling. He creatively avoids a scene, so to say. Though not obliged, Jesus is willing to pay the tax for himself and for Peter voluntarily. To show, however, that he is not obliged to do so, he doesn’t pay from the common purse they have or with the help of a rich supporter; he does it from the mouth of a fish. Peter has to go fishing, cast a hook in the lake, catch a fish, open its mouth, and find a shekel, just enough to pay the tax for two, for Jesus and for Peter. This is one of the many comic situations in the gospels: they paid their tax, but, in a way, they didn’t pay it themselves; a fish is made to pay to avoid scandal!

There is no anger or bitterness in Jesus while fighting injustice. How do we approach the injustices around us? What is our attitude towards the government if and when we are taxed beyond our strengths? Can't we learn something from Jesus? If we are God's beloved children, will He not arrange for "a fish"? Is He not our Father/Mother who is concerned about us day and night?