Next Sunday’s Gospel reading reminds us to give to God what belongs to God - which is in fact, our lives. The coin in the story is made in the image of Caesar but every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. Since we have been created with immeasurable love in God’s image, can we dedicate our lives to God and to treating ourselves and those around us with kindness and compassion? 

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’