Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 12 August 2019
What does Jesus say about the regulations , laws created by people ? Today’s gospel gives a clear indication as to what way we should follow . He asks Saint Peter the fisherman to get back to his trade , to work , catch a fish , He gives His blessing to His apostle’s work so this way they can fulfil tha community’s expectation , we could also put it a different way that as citizen’s they fulfil their duties by paying tax . I believe that it is not the small details into which we should get bogged down in but see the essence . God wants us to do the work we like , what we are good at . Naturally we ask God’s blessing upon our efforts, everyday working but the profit , the fruit of our backbreaking work as good brothers we should share with the community that took us in, that shows loving help towards us .
One of my grownup son, when we were talking about the tax to be paid after his compony and work his hard earned money asked why should he give part of his hard earned money to total strangers ? Of course he said other things as well that I don’t want to share with the readers . All I said that those total strangers not only took you to hospital, but helped your mother to give birth to you , that gave you treatment and have been doing ever since then when the need arrises , so that you maybe hale and hearty . the same total strangers took you into kindergarten , school so that patiently they may raise you, teach you . The road on which you walk, at night as you go home the lights above you and I could go on were all provided, are still given to you by these total strangers !The doctors, the teachers the engineers designing the overhead bridges , the builders this way are not really strangers but part of our family . This big family is called the country , because our ancestors made a decision -at some stage very well - that it is better together than separately . Together we can defend ourselves better, together we can live in greater security , peace, than separately in smaller tribes . In our big family , in the country where we live that is a member of the EU , it is much better to live in than isolated, , looking at one another with animosity , in groups , herds not regulated by laws . We have to respect this infrastructures and be taxpaying, law-abiding citizens who not only benefit from the community but also keeping them going this way .
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
Photo : Popa Simona and our children from Nagyszalonta ! Simona is an Olympic World -Champion in Fencing of our Big Family and this country ! The tax we pay not only supports her but other sporting personalities as well
The Word of God
As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.' And they were greatly distressed. 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.'
Matthew 17:22-27
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 12 August 2019 