“The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him…” (Matthew 17:22-27)

Biblical reflections by Mauro Leonardi*, priest and writer

To those who ask the disciples if Jesus pays taxes, Jesus responds by alluding to the fact that he himself is about to become the ransom for the lives of many with his Passion, death and resurrection. To an imposition of a tax whose payment is an expression of a civic duty and obligation also dictated by the fear of a sanction, Jesus responds with the free gift of his own life so that men, previously servants, have the eternal freedom of Sons of God.

From the Gospel according to Matthew 17:22-27

While they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to them: "The Son of Man is about to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, but on the third day he will rise again." And they were very saddened. When they came to Capernaum, the temple tax collectors approached Peter and said to him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" He replied: "Yes." As he entered the house, Jesus preceded him by saying: «What do you think, Simon? Who do the kings of this land collect taxes and tributes from? From your own children or from others? He replied: “From strangers.” And Jesus: «So the children are exempt. But so that they don't get scandalized, go to the sea, throw the hook and catch the first fish that comes, open its mouth and you will find a silver coin. Take it and give it to them for me and for you."

*Mauro Leonardi (Como 1959) has been a priest since 29 May 1988 and has lived in Rome since then. He spends many hours of his day as a priest and prefers building bridges rather than raising walls. For years he has been writing stories, articles, essays and books that revolve around the relationship between man and God. Author of the blog Like Jesus. Abelis (Lindau) is his latest novel. The volunteers of the Gionata Project thank him for wanting to share these reflections on the Word with us.