First reading Isaiah 45:1,4-6
I have taken Cyrus by his right hand to subdue nations before him
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whom he has taken by his right hand
to subdue nations before him
and strip the loins of kings,
to force gateways before him
that their gates be closed no more:
‘It is for the sake of my servant Jacob,
of Israel my chosen one,
that I have called you by your name,
conferring a title though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, unrivalled;
there is no other God besides me.
Though you do not know me, I arm you
that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
that, apart from me, all is nothing.’
Responsorial Psalm 95(96):1,3-5,7-10
Second reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
We constantly remember your faith, your love and your hope
From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.
Gospel Matthew 22:15-21
Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
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.’
Belonging to God, Instruments of His Love
On Mission Sunday, the first reading reminds us that God can work through anyone to make His love known. God chose Cyrus, a foreign king who did not know Him, to serve His purpose. God says, “It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name.” In the same way, God can work through us and even those we least expect as instruments of His goodness. Our mission today is to share His love through simple acts of love at home, at work and in our community.
In the Gospel, the religious leaders ask Jesus whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus replies, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar- and to God what belongs to God.” As citizens, we are called to fulfil our responsibilities and contribute to the common good. Yet, because we bear the image of God, we belong to God first. On this Mission Sunday, we are reminded to offer our time, work, talents, and very lives to God, allowing Him to use us as instruments to help others encounter His love.
Reflective question:
What part of my life is God inviting me to offer more fully to Him, so that others may experience His love through me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
