Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 18 October 2026

1 Thus saith the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.

4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have made a likeness of thee, and thou hast not known me.

5 I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no God, besides me: I girded thee, and thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know who are from the rising of the sun, and they who are from the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is none else:

R. (7b) Give the Lord glory and honor.

1 A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.

3 Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

4 For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.

R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

7 Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:

8 Bring to the Lord glory unto his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:

R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

9 Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.

10 Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned. For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: he will judge the people with justice.

R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

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

2 Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,

3 Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:

4 Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election:

5ab For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15s, 16a Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.

16 And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.

20 And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this?

21 They say to him: Caesar’s. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s.

The question about the tribute is meant to trap Jesus, yet his answer reveals a deeper order: human authorities may have their rightful claims, but God alone possesses our ultimate allegiance. The coin bears Caesar’s image; our whole life belongs to the Lord who rules over every nation. The first reading shows that God can work through Cyrus, even when Cyrus does not know him, accomplishing his purpose beyond the boundaries we expect. There is no rival to the Lord.

That sovereignty is meant to become visible in the lives of believers. The Thessalonians received the Gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit, and their faith produced work, their charity demanded labor, and their hope endured. The psalm therefore calls every people to give the Lord glory and to proclaim his wonders. To render to God what is God’s is to place our choices, responsibilities, and relationships under his truth. We fulfill our duties in the world faithfully, while remembering that our deepest identity and final loyalty belong to God. Holding firmly to the word of life, we can shine with a faith that is active, loving, and steady.

Lord God, you alone are sovereign, and every nation and authority remains within your providence. Give me wisdom to fulfill my responsibilities faithfully without allowing anything in this world to claim the place that belongs to you. Through the Holy Spirit, make the Gospel powerful in my life. Shape my faith into generous work, my love into patient service, and my hope into endurance. Teach me to give you my whole heart and to proclaim your goodness by the way I live. May my life shine with the word of life and lead others to your glory. Amen.