Reflection - Astute Powers

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081318.cfm
Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28
Matthew 17:22-27

Sherlock Holmes has always been one of my favorite fictional characters; so, I am glad that film media have done a good job in expanding the character originally found in Arthur Conan Doyle’s short stories. They’ve even invented new versions from the Holmes archetype, though I’ve found none quite so engaging as the eccentric, pipe-smoking English original. His alertness to detail and the swift application of logic are almost always disarming even when I reflect that such deductions lack sufficient information as to warrant the conclusion Holmes has drawn. After all, the sand on the shoe could well indicate an inadvertent encounter with the construction sand pile outside the building as well as a recent trip to the beach.

In real life situations I’ve known—and always been jealous—of those who can so easily read the body language, the change in demeanor, the subtle twists and turns of facial expression and other aspects of the non-verbal which reveal something of the mindset, the attitude and the character of another. Such social awareness is not one of my better skills. However, it seems to me that Jesus may have been adept at this. When the gospel tells us that he perceived the questioning of the Pharisees following the forgiveness of the paralytic’s sins (Luke 5:17-26), or when he saw others from the same group watching to see if he would heal the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath (Luke 6:6-11),he certainly seems to have that gift.

The current gospel selection adds another dimension to the astute powers of observation, perception and interpretation through which I have been meandering. That dimension is seen in Peter’s transition from an outside conversation with the temple tax collectors to his inside conversation with Jesus.

The collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes," he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?

Now I’m not sure how Jesus came to know what Peter was going to talk about. Some would claim Jesus’ divinity as the source of such knowledge. Personally I find such an answer unacceptable because it suggests that the divine was only pretending to be human. Others might say that Jesus was eavesdropping, either intentionally or unintentionally. In either case, that might explain the humorous manner in which Jesus continues the conversation. Nevertheless, I find that solution unappealing. I prefer to follow the thought that immediately came to mind as I read the text, probably because it was a thought that was similar to the subtle and gentle confluence of two rivers.

Psalm 139 is one of the better known of the psalms. It is the one with these opening lines:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

So I’m reading about Peter and the Pharisees and taxes, and how Jesus picks up on the very topic of taxes before Peter has a chance to speak, and immediately the words of the psalm flowed directly into my image of Peter’s reaction: “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.”

When I reflected on this I was tempted, like others, to infer that Jesus’ divinity was showing through; but, as noted above, I have always been adverse to that solution. Upon further reflection, and an examination of other details of the psalm, I was reminded of the implications of the very first line: “O LORD, you have searched me and known me!” Spouses and good friends sometimes do this. They accurately finish a sentence begun by the other. They bring up a topic the other was just thinking about. They conspire alone before they conspire together about taking a trip to a particular destination. “You have searched me and known me!” 

Jesus knew Peter. He had already spent some months with him. A strong friendship was probably already there even though Jesus wouldn’t speak about it til later. It was probably time for the temple tax; so, Jesus asks Simon’s opinion.

Likewise, I t’s amazing how well the Father knows us! He knows us better than our spouse. Better than our best friend. He knows us like Jesus knew Simon-Peter.