Let's Go Fishing (Dt. 10:12-22; Mt. 17:22-27)

In the gospel reading, Jesus foretells of his death and resurrection.  Then the reading follows with a fish story.  Being charged a temple tax, Jesus tells Simon to cast a hook into the sea and take the first fish.  In it, he will find a gold coin worth twice the amount of taxes, "pay it for both you and me."

Why is this paired with the foretelling of Jesus upcoming death? Some say that it is two separate stories.  Paying the taxes could be about doing what is right and not rocking the boat until it is Jesus's time.   

I am not a great theologian, I only see what I see in stories.  I may not be correct and sometimes the stories can be read in many ways.   This is what I see in the relationship between the gospel and the paired old testament reading.

What God does in the smallest ways has so much rewards.  God took the 70 that came to Egypt as the sons of Israel and made them the nation of Isreal, as numerous as the stars in the sky.  Just like catching a fish would seem a meager attempt to pay the temple tax, it more than sufficed for the debt owed.   Jesus' sacrifice, "The Son of Man"  paid for the sins of the world.   It paid not only for the sins of Israel, but for the sins of the whole world.  This payment by the "Son of Man" was done so that as "Sons of the King" we would be free.

Looking at these examples, what can the God do with the little bit that each of us can offer?  It is not us with our small talents that does great deeds.   God makes our small talents great and bountiful for His needs.

Offer what you have to God in prayer.  Offer what you have to God in all you do.  Offer your self totally to God.