10/18/2026 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 22:15-21
15 The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
16 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.
17 Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
18 Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
19 Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin.
20 He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
21 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.”
10/18/2026 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 22:15-21
Theme: Give to the World What Belongs to the World, and to God What Belongs to God
Some religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds with wisdom, asking whose image and inscription appear on the coin. His answer teaches us to fulfill our responsibilities in the world while remembering that our deepest allegiance belongs to God.
Let us use the word COIN as our guide to living a life of faith, integrity, and purpose.
C – CHOOSE What Truly Matters
Life constantly challenges us to make choices. We must decide between honesty and deception, selfishness and generosity, worldly recognition and spiritual growth. Like those who questioned Jesus, we may sometimes become so concerned with winning arguments that we forget to seek the truth.
Jesus reminds us through His wisdom that not every question deserves a fight, and not every disagreement requires us to prove ourselves right. What matters most is whether our decisions reflect goodness, truth, and love. Choose what brings you closer to God, strengthens your character, and brings blessings to others. In the end, a life well-lived is not measured by how many arguments we win but by how faithfully we live according to God’s will.
O – OFFER What You Rightfully
The coin carried Caesar’s image, so Jesus used it to teach a lesson about earthly responsibilities. We, too, have obligations to fulfill. We must respect legitimate laws, perform our duties honestly, support our families, and contribute positively to society.
Faith does not excuse us from being responsible citizens. Rather, it inspires us to become better ones. Whether we are employees, business owners, parents, community leaders, or ordinary citizens, we honor God when we fulfill our responsibilities with sincerity and fairness.
Let us not use religion as an excuse to neglect our duties. Instead, let our faith guide the way we work, serve, and treat others. Even the smallest responsibility, when performed with love and integrity, can become an offering to God.
I – IDENTIFY Whose Image You Carry
The coin bore the image of Caesar, but our lives are called to reflect something greater than earthly authority. We are created by God and invited to reflect His goodness through our actions.
People may never read the Bible, but they can read our lives. They see our patience when we are tested, our honesty when nobody is watching, and our kindness toward those who cannot repay us.
Ask yourself: What image do people see when they look at me? Do they see pride, anger, and selfishness, or do they see compassion, humility, and faith?
We cannot reflect God’s goodness perfectly every day, but we can choose to grow. Let our words encourage, our hands help, and our hearts forgive. Let our lives become living testimonies of God’s love.
N – NEVER NEGLECT What Belongs to God
We can give money to the world, time to our responsibilities, and attention to our ambitions. But we must never forget to give God what belongs to Him: our love, worship, gratitude, trust, and obedience.
Worldly possessions may disappear. Positions may change. Applause may fade. Yet our relationship with God remains the foundation of a meaningful life.
Therefore, let us never become so busy earning a living that we forget the One who gives life. Let us never become so focused on gaining the world that we lose sight of heaven.
Remember, we may carry coins in our pockets, but we carry God’s calling in our hearts. Give the world your honest service, give others your genuine love, and give God your whole heart. That is how we transform an ordinary life into a beautiful offering to Him.
Go here to read further Gospel reflection.
