Friday, August 31, 2018
Liturgical Season: 
VI The Season of Transfiguration

2 Tm 4:9-18

Paul’s Loneliness. 9* Try to join me soon, 10for Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia,* and Titus to Dalmatia.h 11Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry.i 12I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.j 13When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.k

14Alexander* the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.l 15You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.

16At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them!m 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.n 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.o

Mt 17:24-27

Payment of the Temple Tax.* 24l When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax* approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25“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? From their subjects or from foreigners?” 26* When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. 27But that we may not offend them,* go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”