Sunday October 18, 2026, TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
FIRST READING
I have grasped the hand of Cyrus to subdue nations before him.
*A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 45:1. 4-6)*
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and uncover the loins of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I clothe you, though you do not know me, that men may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 96: 1 and 3.4-5.7-8.9- 10a (R. 7b)
R/. Give the Lord glory and power.
O sing a new song to the Lord;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell among the nations his glory,
And his wonders among all the people. R/.
For the Lord is great and highly praised,
To be feared above all gods.
For the gods of the nations are naughty.
It was the Lord who made the heavens. R/.
R/. Give the Lord glory and power.
Give the LORD, your families of peop6les,
Give the LORD glory and power;
Give the LORD the glory of his name.
Bring an offering and enter his courts. R/.
Worship the LORD in holy splendor.
O tremble before him, all the earth.
Say to the nations, “The LORD is king.
He will judge the people in fairness. R/.
SECOND READING
Remember your faith, love, and hope.
*The beginning of the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b)*
*Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father our work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; for our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.*
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Philippians 2:15d-16a
Alleluia. You will shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God's
*A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 22:15-21)*
At that time: The Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle Jesus in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it Lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.” And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
The Lord invites us to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Let us pray that, as citizens of God’s kingdom living in an earthly city, we may fulfil both our temporal and spiritual tasks in ways that are pleasing to God.
FOR THE CHURCH: that she may remain faithful to the mission of Christ to establish God’s kingdom on earth and, through the ministry of its pastors, continually evangelise the temporal order. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OUR CIVIL SOCIETY: that the citizens of our country may realize their obligation to perform their civic duties, and our leaders may utilize the nation’s resources for the good of all. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: that, following the teachings of Christ, we may imbibe the culture of respecting civil authorities and of fulfilling our lawful obligations to them. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR YOUNG MEMBERS OF CHRIST’S FAITHFUL: that they may be strengthened in their faith and have the courage to respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
Heavenly Father, you are great and worthy of praise. Open our hearts to accept the teachings of your Son and grant us the grace to love and serve you all the days of our lives. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
THE CREED (I Believe)
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. As the Jewish officials begin to muster up evidence for the condemnation of Jesus, there is no better response given to them than what Jesus gave. But the response continues to reverberate in our hearts. It calls us to a sober reflection and self-examination; those moments where we spend the time meant for God to do other personal runs, when we refuse to contribute to parish development because of some other commitment. There is time for everything. We cannot really rob God but we do rob ourselves of some spiritual benefice when we shortchange our resources meant for worship into personal comfort. As it is said, “You cannot rob Peter to pay Paul”. What is the Caesar in your life? That bad habit, that addiction, that laziness – it is time to give yourself back to God because it belongs to God. Whatever we do in life is only a participation in the plans of God. We are vessels of God and we must return to him whom we truly belong to. Hence, we should never be lost in the crowd, advancing a ‘Pull him Down Syndrome’ forgetting that we are nothing but vessels in the hands of the almighty and should return the same to God without prejudice to other responsibilities. Jesus, I trust in you.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL (30-Day Devotional to St. Joseph)
Day 18 – LOVER OF CHASTITY
Reflection: Joseph lived chastity out of love for God.
Meditation: Matthew 5:8
Let us pray: O chaste St. Joseph, purify my heart and intentions. Amen.