Michael Appelt

The Coin and the Kingdom — a chant-like poem inspired by Christ’s miracle of the coin in the fish. It weaves universal longings for peace and justice with wisdom from many traditions, and ends with my own choice to anchor my life in Christ.

The Coin and the Kingdom

What matters? Not the shouting in the square.

What matters? Not the fire of angry screens.

What matters—is the hand that forgives.

What matters—is the heart that shows mercy.

What matters—is the courage to love.

The Psalms cry: Be still, and know peace.

The Buddha teaches: Hatred never ends by hatred.

The Prophet calls: Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.

The mystics sing: The Friend is nearer than your breath.

And Christ says: Peace, be still.

Kings take their taxes.

Nations claim their tolls.

But the river of compassion cannot be owned.

The light of truth cannot be bought.

The song of love cannot be silenced.

And once they came to Christ, demanding proof of loyalty: “Does your Teacher pay the tax?”

Christ, untroubled, sent His friend to the sea. The hook sank, the line grew taut, a fish rose from the deep—and in its mouth, a silver coin, enough for Caesar’s toll.

So Christ declared the truth: Pay what the world demands, but never forget the world is not your master.

Render to Caesar what is his, but to God what is God’s.

Every path seeks the summit.

Every soul hungers for bread.

Every heart longs for rest.

Some call it mercy.

Some call it truth.

Some call it the Tao.

Some call it Love.

Some call Him Christ.

So lift your eyes. Lift your hands. Lift your hearts.

For what matters—is not the coin of Caesar, but the treasure of love.

What matters—is not the fading gold, but the hope that endures.

Remember the fish. Remember the coin.

Remember the kingdom — within you, around you, beyond you.

And this is my choice, my anchor, my song: Of all the names, I choose Christ.

In Him I find the summit of mercy, the face of truth, the bread of life, the love that endures.