The Feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe | Monday 14 August 2023

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Today is Monday 14 August, the feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, in the 19th week of Ordinary time.

Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Abide With Me’. As you listen, become aware of the ways in which Jesus is abiding with you today, in this moment.

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless, O abide with me

(Abide with me)

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away

Change and decay in all around I see

O thou who changest not, abide with me

(Abide with me, abide with me)

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if thou abide with me

(Abide with me)

Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee

In life, in death, abide with me

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 17: 22 - 27

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.’

Start by staying for a moment or two with the opening of this passage. Jesus knows he is going to be betrayed. Knows that he will die as a result. His disciples are distressed when he speaks of this. How do you feel when you hear it?

Then the tone changes. In the middle of this rather strange story about Temple taxes and cash-carrying fish, Jesus speaks of the freedom of the children of God. What does this freedom mean to you, in your own life?

Jesus pays the tax for himself and for Peter. As the passage is read again, notice the closeness between Jesus and Peter, between Jesus and his other disciples.

Speak, finally, to Jesus about whatever you’ve noticed here particularly. Perhaps you want to share the closeness he has with his friends. Perhaps you want to be more free, as a child of God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.