Temple Tax

And when they abode together in Galilee, Jesus said to them: The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again. And they were troubled exceedingly. And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that received the didrachmas, came to Peter and said to him: Doth not your master pay the didrachmas? He said: Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the earth, of whom do they receive tribute or custom? of their own children, or of strangers? And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the children are free.

But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to them for me and thee.
Matthew 17:21-26 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father your son reveals his coming trials, the price he will pay for our salvation. To free us of sin. It's amazing that when he asked Peter to which do the kings of the earth receive tribute or custom, the reply of strangers was Peters answer. But in this Jesus revealed that the children are free. The children of God are free not because we are his but because Jesus will free us. How often do we pay such a high price to free another? In this accounting we have been given much in the way of Jesus' divinity. Jesus may we come to know you from the depths of our hearts, for the price you have paid for our sinfulness. May we pray for those who are lost to sin, that their hearts will open for the love of God. Amen