The Glory of Intimacy to Death

Jesus and the Temple Tax


The text from Matthew’s Gospel in the Roman Catholic lectionary today takes us to the relationship between Jesus and the civil authorities. The payment of tax was required by the civil authority. The tribute owed this authority is clearly identified as secondary to the respect and awe to be directed to God the Father. The miraculous way in which the tax was paid underlined the truth that all authority and power comes from the Divine. The disciples are greatly distressed that Jesus is telling him that He will be killed by the authorities in Jerusalem at the same time as He indicated the power of God over the civil power. Jesus tells them that he will rise in three days. It is not likely that they understood the meaning of these words. In His humanity Jesus will move to an inglorious death. The texts from Ezekiel and the psalmist demonstrate the attitude of praise and shock and awe that the Divine Presence invokes in humanity. The mystery of the intimacy of the Divine with the whole human condition, including suffering and death is the question for contemplation.