THE GOSPEL
Matthew 22:15-21“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”
Caesar,
did you create the stars
and hurl them to the reaches of the universe?
Can you make blood course through human veins?
Or craft a hummingbird or a
Gerbera daisy?
Your coins can’t buy
what we really
need.
God,
Creator
you are the one
whose face we seek:
the domain of love that
you give in grace and peace.
We are made in your image.
Please take us
as your
own.
THE FIRST READING
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6It is I who arm you, though you know me not.
God,
you armed Cyrus.
You subdued nations under him,
anointed him, even though
he didn’t know you.
From the rising to the setting of the sun,
anoint us and use us too, Lord,
whether we know it
or not.
THE SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5bFor our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power
and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.
Please make us receive the Gospel
not just in words or phrases,
but rather in power,
in the Holy
Spirit,
with
much
conviction.
We want to labor in love
and breathe your faith and hope.
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org