Welcome to Week 2! Year 1 and Year 2 students have started their Religious Education unit of work with a provocation. Provocations encourage students to think independently by encouraging their interests and the exploration of those interests.  The following visual questions were used to provoke their interest: What do you see? What do you think is going on? What does it make you wonder? 

Please click on the images below to view the description of what the children are participating in.  

 What do you see? 

What do you think is going on?

What does it make you wonder?

Matthew 22:15-21
Then the Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap him in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with some Herodians, to say, 'Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in all honesty, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you. Give 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 are you putting me to the test? Show me the money you pay the tax with.' They handed him a denarius, and he said, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title?' They replied, 'Caesar's.' Then he said to them, 'Very well, pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.'


World Behind the Text (Background of the text)
Scripture scholars think that the Gospel of Matthew was written in the last part of the first century CE sometime after 70 CE. Matthew’s intended audience was Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians who were familiar with Jewish culture, religious belief and religious practice. Matthew’s text has many Jewish references that take for granted an audience familiar with Judaism. Matthew’s Gospel was also written at a time of increasing tension between Jewish synagogue and Christian church over claims about truth and authenticity.  On both sides there was a general hardening of attitudes.

Many Jews resented Roman occupation and the poll tax, and Judas, a Galilean, not the apostle, organised a resistance movement which was quickly suppressed. Foreign tax is never well received, but, at the time of Jesusʼ public ministry, the Pharisees accepted to pay the tax as a price for retaining their religious ʻfreedomʼ, and the Herodians supported it. The scene before us took place just before the feast of Passover. There were many Galileans among those gathering for the feast, and no doubt the Romans were prepared for any disturbance. What better way to get Jesus into trouble than to have him speak out against the tax? He would certainly (Michael Fallon, 2020).

World of the Text (What is the text saying? What does it mean?) 

This passage highlights and focuses on antagonism between Jesus and his own Jewish community. Jesus is shown in conflict with particular representatives of Judaism in the person of Pharisees  and Herodians. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Herodians.This text of paying taxes intends to make the point that those who promote and administer Jewish Law have failed to appreciate its authentic meaning and purpose (Michael Fallon, 2020).


World in front of the Text (What does this text mean today?)

What can I give to God, my family and friends? 

How can I give God, my family and friends some quality time and attention? 

Catholic Mission Month 
Catholic Mission supports children, communities and Church leaders around the world, including remote Australia. Grassroots needs are identified by local Catholics to give all people the opportunity for a full, enriched life–physically and spiritually–regardless of race, religion, gender or stigma. As the Pope’s international mission agency, we respond to the call to love God and to love our neighbour by forming individuals and communities as missionary disciples of Jesus who share their faith in action and through prayer. We share in God’s mission to reach out, and give life by sharing our personal and financial resources to: 

• proclaim the Gospel; 
• serve people in need; 
• act for peace, justice and creation; in partnership with local churches so that all may have life in Christ. 

“Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34.

Socktober invites schools to engage with mission in an holistic way within the head, heart, hands model: encouraging a learning mind, an open heart and hands for action. Children experience how their brothers and sisters around the world play the game of soccer, learn about life in Cambodia and other developing countries, and take concrete action with the support of their family and friends.

Next Friday, 30 October, Mt Carmel School will be called to serve to raise funds for those in need by hosting a fundraiser. Students are invited to come to school wearing crazy socks, their favourite sport/team jersey, and donate a gold coin. 

So pull on your crazy socks, pull out your favourite sport/team jersey, and kick goals to 'Sock it to Poverty!

May peace be with you,
Eva Karakotas
Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)