What do you give at the offertory?

In today's Gospel, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about taxes. His answer - "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" - opens up something much deeper.

Caesar's image is stamped on the coin. But whose image is stamped on you?

St. Augustine said, "Christ's coin is man." What you render to Caesar doesn't come back. But what you render to God? It comes back - transformed.

Today is World Mission Sunday. The Church reminds us that we're sent to find those who bear God's image at the ends of the earth.

Caesar's economy teaches us to ask, "What do I get back?"
God's economy teaches us to ask, "Who bears His image? And what can I give?"

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READINGS:
- Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
- Matthew 22:15-21

Deacon Michael Halbrook
St. Elizabeth Parish, Granite City, IL
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
World Mission Sunday
October 18, 2026