Paying Tolls

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

When I was a child, the trip down the Garden State Parkway always meant that we were truly going home to that place where simple joys were possible. Coins were tossed after the car stopped at each toll booth. Later there were tokens available which my father bought in rolls with great delight. Now that there are electronic toll booths, and we don't have to slow down, we often forget the price we pay. Jesus wants us to pay attention to the tolls and the tributes in life. To understand that the power in this world is not the power and love of the Creator.

Gracious God who plants us in communities

help us to honor those who hold power

without making them more important

than your love and the needs of this world.

You molded us all for compassion and care

help us to shine light in the places of suffering

and to reach out in love to those in need. Amen.