We share in the freedom of the sons
Introduction
Ezekiel presents us God in his impressive majesty and glory. Yet at the same time he is the mobile God, the God to be found where people are, as the imagery of the wings imply, the angelic creatures acting as God’s chariot.
The gospel gives us the image of God-in-civilian Jesus, God’s Son, a man who pays his taxes even when he is not obliged to. It may be a hint for us not to ask for privileges because we are Christians and to act and live as free people, who at times – or often – choose to do what we are not obliged to do, especially in the form of help.
1 Reading Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c
On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year,
that is, of King Jehoiachin’s exile,
The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel,
the son of Buzi,
in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—
There the hand of the LORD came upon me.
As I looked, a stormwind came from the North,
a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,
from the midst of which (the midst of the fire)
something gleamed like electrum.
Within it were figures resembling four living creatures
that looked like this: their form was human.
Then I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roaring of mighty waters,
like the voice of the Almighty.
When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army.
And when they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Above the firmament over their heads
something like a throne could be seen,
looking like sapphire.
Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man.
Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum;
downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire;
he was surrounded with splendour.
Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day
was the splendour that surrounded him.
Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. or: R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts. R.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys. R.
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven. R.
And he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him. R.
Alleluia 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called you through the Gospel
To possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Matthew 17:22-27
As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.
When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”
Commentary
If sons and daughters are tax-free, then we do not owe “taxes” to God who is our Father. Jesus is God’s own Son. Did Jesus offer his life as a forced tax to his Father? No! Instead, Jesus freely and willingly offered his life as a loving self-gift on behalf of us, his own brothers and sisters. Similarly, the commandments that invite us to love and serve God are not taxations that burden us, but are invitations for loving self-offering for our own good, as Moses reminds his people: “YHWH is your pride and He is your God, who has done…amazing things for you.”
In God’s Kingdom, there are no taxes, but only spontaneous and mutual self-offerings in freedom and love. The debate today in some quarters about the attitude of some churches and pastors who practically go hunting for tithes from churchgoers has nothing to do with the freedom the children of God enjoy.
Blessing
We are free sons and daughters of God and we cherish this freedom. Yet we do not want to be a clan separate from others or people seeking privileges. We want to be united with all and to serve them. May almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!