29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Sunday 18 October 2026

First Reading Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

‘I have grasped the right hand of Cyrus to subdue nations before him.’

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts 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 name you, though you do not know me. I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people 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.

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 96(95):1, 3. 4-5. 7-8. 9-10a, c. R. 7b

R. Ascribe to 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 peoples.

R. Ascribe to the LORD glory and power.

For the LORD is great and highly to be praised,

to be feared above all gods.

For the gods of the nations are naught.

It was the LORD who made the heavens.

R. Ascribe to the LORD glory and power.

Ascribe to the LORD, you families of peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and power;

ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name.

Bring an offering and enter his courts.

R. Ascribe to the LORD glory and power.

Worship the LORD in holy splendour.

O tremble before him, all the earth.

Say to the nations, ‘The LORD is king.’

He will judge the peoples in fairness.

R. Ascribe to the LORD glory and power.

Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

‘Remembering your faith, love and hope.’

A reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians.

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 all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because 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.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel  - Matthew 22:15-21

‘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.

At that time: The Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle Jesus in his words. 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 you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 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 coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.