the third day.” The Twelve were deeply grieved.

When they returned to Capernaum, the temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked him,
“Does your master pay the temple tax?” He answered, “Yes.”

Peter then entered the house; and immediately, Jesus asked him, “What do you think,
Simon? Who pay taxes or tribute to the kings of the earth: their sons or strangers and
aliens?” Peter replied, “Strangers and aliens.” And Jesus told him, “The sons, then,
are tax-free. But, so as not to offend these people, go to the sea, throw in a hook, and
open the mouth of the first fish you catch. You will find a coin in it. Take the coin and give
it to them for you and for me.”

Reflect

If someone walked up to you and asked, “What does it mean to be a person of faith?”,
reciting today’s

first reading would be a worthy response. Let’s look at each element individually. First,
all faith begins in our love for God. A faith without love has no roots to nourish it. When
we love God, we will desire to obey his commandments and serve him wholeheartedly. If
we have faith, we see God’s presence everywhere: in creation, in other people, in all the
moments of our daily lives. In faith, we recognize that we often fall short, failing to love
and obey. When that happens, we turn back to the Lord, seeking his forgiveness and
mercy. Loved and forgiven by God, we then reach out to those in need, sharing God’s
love and seeking to bring his justice to a sin-sick world.

What does it mean to be a person of faith? Love, obedience, service, presence, mercy,
justice. To God be the glory.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023