Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (17: 22-27) in which Jesus says to his disciples, “the Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men. They will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.”

Fr Paul says in this Gospel Jesus shares a special moment with His disciples, revealing the true gravity of his mission as he speaks of his impending betrayal, death, and resurrection. This passage begins with Jesus foretelling His suffering, which deeply troubles the disciples. Their distress reflects the difficulty of understanding the necessity of the Cross in the journey of faith. Jesus’ prediction serves as a reminder that the path to glory is often paved with suffering and sacrifice.

Following this somber revelation, the Gospel shifts to a practical matter regarding the temple tax. When approached by the collector, Peter affirms that Jesus pays the tax. However, Jesus uses this moment to teach Peter about his identity as the Son of God. He poses a question about who is obligated to pay taxes—sons or strangers—indicating that as God’s Son, he is free from such obligations. Yet, to avoid causing offense, he instructs Peter to catch a fish, in whose mouth he will find a coin to pay the tax for both of them.

Today’s Gospel challenges us to embrace the reality of suffering while holding onto the hope of resurrection and divine care. Fr Paul says, it reminds us that even in moments of trial, God is present and provides for our needs.