From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew:
The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
The Gospel this Sunday questions each of us deeply. Jesus uses strong words when he asks those who wanted to test him: “This image and the inscription– whose are they?” It almost seems that the Lord, looking each of us in the eye, was asking: “You, Christian– who are you like? What image do you bring of me to people?"
The Holy Curé of Ars in his homilies said to the faithful who listened to him: "Give back to God what belongs to God, and to neighbor what is due to him. If all Christians followed this path, hell would have none among its inhabitants, and heaven would be populated. Ah! It would please God…that men never lose sight of this precept!”
Sr. Stella Maria