THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of 19^th Week in Ordinary time, 2022

Ezk 1:2-5. 24-28

Ps 148

Matt 17:22-27

St Dominic

Not to give offense to them…

Dear friends in Christ, today is the memorial of St Dominic who founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in 1216, dedicated to saving souls by preaching and persuasion. The Order puts great importance on poverty, both of the individual and the community, and was to be involved in the world while still living some form of monastic life. He died at Bologna on August 6, 1221. 

Our first reading today is from Ezekiel (1:2-5, 24-28). The prophet Ezekiel was the son of Buzi and from a priestly family. He was one of those deported to Babylon during the first deportation in the time of Jehoiachin (597 BC) and settled by the river Chebar. Ezekiel received many visions which are recorded in his book and directed his preaching to the exiles in Babylon. Today’s passage is the vision of the chariot of God. This comes before the Vocation of Ezekiel who became one of the four Major Prophets. About 30 years old, when he should have become a priest in the Temple in Jerusalem, he was called into exile to be a prophet. In his preaching, Ezekiel attributed the fall of Jerusalem and the exile to the profanation of the Temple and the worship of other gods. Today’s passage on the chariot illustrates the majesty and greatness of God. As Ezekiel puts it, “Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face.”

The gospel of today (Matt 17:22-27) reveals one thing that made the apostles sad. Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” This greatly distressed them. They were yet to fully understand what they have been called to, at this time. However, at Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax, meant for the Temple came to ask if Jesus will pay and Peter assured them he will. Jesus however made it clear to Peter by his questions that he was not meant to pay, as the Son of the living God, since princes do not pay taxes in their kingdom. But he asked Peter to pay, not to give offense. By this Jesus teaches us that: we have to pay our taxes. We must pay taxes. It is also the duty of the government that collects taxes to use the money judiciously. As a Christian do your duty by paying your tax; it is only then you can demand explanations on how it has been used. Jesus also teaches here that, we do not always have to fight over issues we can avoid. We must let go in some cases not to give offense. There are times in your marriage, home, or office when you have to yield, even when you are right, in order not to give offense or aggravate issues.

Let us pray: Lord gives us the grace to understand our calling in life. Like Ezekiel and St Dominic, use us for the glory of your name and the good of our world. Amen. 

+Remain blessed