First Reading

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

1Thus says the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I hold, so that I may subjugate the nations before his face, and I may turn the backs of kings, and I may open the doors before him, and so that the gates will not be shut. 2I will go before you. And I will humble the glorious ones of the earth. I will shatter the gates of brass, and I will break apart the bars of iron. 3And I will give you hidden treasures and the knowledge of secret things, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls your name. 4For the sake of Jacob, my servant, and Israel, my elect, I have even called you by your name. I have taken you up, and you have not known me. 5I am the Lord, and there is no one else. There is no god beside me. I girded you, and you have not known me. 6So may those who are from the rising of the sun, and those who are from its setting, know that there is no one beside me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 95

1A Canticle of David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2Sing to the Lord and bless his name. Announce his salvation from day to day. 3Announce his glory among the Gentiles, his miracles among all peoples. 4For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He is terrible, beyond all gods. 5For all the gods of the Gentiles are demons, but the Lord made the heavens. 6Confession and beauty are in his sight. Sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary. 7Bring to the Lord, you natives of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor. 8Bring to the Lord glory for his name. Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts. 9Adore the Lord in his holy court. Let the entire earth be shaken before his face. 10Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned. For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. He will judge the peoples with fairness.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia — Philippians 2:15d, 16a

1Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, any solace of charity, any fellowship of the Spirit, any feelings of commiseration:

Gospel

Matthew 22:15-21

15Then the Pharisees, going out, took counsel as to how they might entrap him in speech. 16And they sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying: “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and that you teach the way of God in truth, and that the influence of others is nothing to you. For you do not consider the reputation of men. 17Therefore, tell us, how does it seem to you? Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin of the census tax.” And they offered him a denarius. 20And Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” 21They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Then render to Caesar what is of Caesar; and to God what is of God.”