When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to
Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes, he
does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you
think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their
children or from others? When Peter said, “From others.” Jesus said to him, “Then
the children are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the
lake and cast a hook, take the first fish that comes up; and when
you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give
it to them for you and me.”
The gospel
theme is about Jesus who was facing persecution from the tax collectors. Jesus
and Peter did not have money to pay the tax. So Jesus reminded Peter that God cared for them and
rescued them. Father Gilles Mongeau explained in his homily that we should
trust in God and ask for his help in times of need, as the saying goes “God
provides.” There is a double teaching on the gospel – to receive God’s love and
imitate Christ by being compassionate and humble with others.
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