29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A (2023)

Mass Readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

• First Reading – Isaiah 45:1, 4-6: “I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 96: “Give the Lord glory and honor.”
• Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5B: “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”
• Gospel – Matthew 22:15-21: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Themes for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

The readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A speak of allegiance and responsibility. From the first reading we understand that we must give our whole selves to God. The psalm echos this with “Give the Lord glory and honor.” The second reading speaks of how we are called and chosen to do the work of Christ. And in the gospel, Jesus explains that we must give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.

• Giving our time and gifts back to God
• Changing unjust laws and systems
• Our rights and duties as citizens

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.

Caesar Vs. God – A Lesson Plan on Citizenship

In this Caesar vs. God lesson plan on citizenship, youth are encouraged to think about how their duties as citizens and their call to discipleship overlap with each other

Suscipe Prayer (Take Lord Receive Prayer)

The Suscipe prayer was written by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It reflects his belief that all we have is given to us to serve and reverence God. So we should be willing to give all we are and have back to God.

A Song to God – A Prayer Based on Psalm 96

This prayer is a joyful song to God. It praises Him for his fairness and all of the blessings he bestows on the world. This prayer is based on Psalm 96, which is the responsorial psalm for this Sunday.

Who Is Your God?

On the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jeff Cavins challenges us to identify the “gods” in our lives.

Caesar and the King

From Scott Hahn. “The Lord is king over all the earth, as we sing in today’s Psalm. Governments rise and fall by His permission, with no authority but that given from above. In effect, God says to every ruler what He tells King Cyrus in today’s First Reading.” Continue reading.

Caesar and God

From Bishop Robert Barron. “Jesus places everything in its proper relationship to God. But he also chastises those who are involved in power games. God is ultimately in charge and rules over even Caesar.”

Truth Cannot Always Take Sides

From Fr. Richard Rohr of the Center for Action and Contemplation. (Note: the audio for the gospel reading is poor, but once the homily starts it is clear.) This gospel is an example of “either or” thinking. Give people two options, and they feel good or righteous for choosing the “right” one. Jesus doesn’t really answer the question though. We haven’t been taught to live in faith. Instead we just want to choose the right side.

I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me.

It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me.

I am the LORD, there is no other.

Isaiah 45:5-6