Religious Education 

WEEKEND GOSPEL

GOSPEL       Matthew 22:15-21

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.

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.’

 A beginning point for discussion of this week's Gospel with children:

• In today’s Gospel who are the people who planned to trick Jesus?
• What did the Pharisees say to Jesus?
• What did Jesus say to them?
• Jesus says that we can serve God and serve our country at the same time.
• We can be good Australians and New Zealanders by respecting others. How do we show respect for all people?
• How can we serve God by being a good Australian or New Zealander?