Looking at the three controversies in the Gospel of Matthew we can see that prior to today's Gospel there was the question of paying taxes then the issue of the Resurrection followed by the present topic of the Law. Next, there would be the Messiah, although this is omitted in our lectionary for Year A, as is the gospel on the dispute with the Sadducees. All of these were controversial to the various parties present at the time of Jesus and thus required a response from him and his followers as they proclaimed the Gospel. Jesus is remarkably concise in what he says and uses the Torah to great effect. He does not try to evade the issue at point nor does he engage in extended moralizing. His attitude and method serves for us today as we need to defend the faith and articulate the Good News to a hardened and often cynical world: "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do so with reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil." (1 Peter 3: 15-18)
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