Not to Offend!

Monday, August 12, 2024

Ez 1:2-5,24-28; Mt 17:22-27

Today’s Gospel underlines Jesus’ pastoral priority over political matters. 

After a brief discussion with Peter on the issue of taxation, Jesus decides to pay temple taxes. 

Is Jesus authority-friendly or a people-pleaser? What is true?

If Jesus wanted, he could have ignited a debate around taxation. Or he could have even used his popularity to stage an organized protest against the government. 

Jesus does neither because he does not want to victimize people by sensationalizing an issue. 

That Jesus could have done something about the issue in discussion, but instead passed over to other important concerns could be seen in the verse, ‘But that we may not offend them.’ 

Here, we find Jesus driven towards fulfilling his mission on earth. 

In Jesus’ view, setting the earth on fire by announcing the Good News is more important than mobilizing people against taxation.

Rather than a political riot, Jesus aims at a spiritual revolution that will bring down the inequalities in governance. 

In other words, if God’s will becomes the order of the day, then Divine Justice will prevail. 

This is why announcing God’s Kingdom is a top priority for Jesus. 

In his view, the revolution on the cross would fulfill what St. John the Baptist foretold about him. ‘Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth’ (Lk 3:5). 

Jesus’ attitude reminds me of a quote: ‘Rivers never go reverse.’

If establishing God’s Kingdom on earth will be a great leveler, nothing can distract us from fulfilling it. 

Let us pray that our work for God’s Reign will result in the transformation of the world!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar