October 18
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A
The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time is part of the Church’s ongoing journey through the seasons between the major feast cycles of Easter and Christmas, inviting the faithful to reflect steadily on the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ. During Ordinary Time, the liturgy focuses on the Lord’s life, words, and works, encouraging Christians to integrate these lessons into their daily walk with Christ.
This particular Sunday often brings to the forefront Gospel passages about discipleship, service, and the challenges of following Jesus in a world sometimes indifferent or even hostile to the Gospel. The readings typically emphasize the call to be Christ’s witnesses in everyday life and to participate actively in God’s mission of love, justice, and compassion for all people. The green vestments worn by the clergy symbolize hope and the ongoing growth of the Church as the Body of Christ in the world.
On each ordinary Sunday like this, Catholics are reminded that every day can be an opportunity for holiness, not just the well-known feasts or solemnities. Gathered for the Eucharist, the community is renewed by the Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ, sent forth strengthened to serve God and neighbor.
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Questions about 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
First readingIs 45, 1.4-6
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whom he has taken by the hand
to subdue nations before him and disarm kings,
to open double doors before him,
so that no gates will remain shut:
“For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel my chosen one,
I have called you by your name,
I have given you a title,
though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I have made you mighty,
though you do not know me,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
people may know that there is none besides me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 95 (96), 1.3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10ac
Sing to the Lord a new song,
sing to the Lord, all the earth;
tell among all peoples of his glory,
among all nations his wonders!
Great is the Lord, highly praised,
awesome above all gods:
all the gods of the nations are nothing!
But the Lord made the heavens.
Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and power,
ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.
Bring your offering and enter his courts.
Worship the Lord, resplendent in holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations: “The Lord is king!”
He governs the peoples with justice.
Second reading1 Th 1, 1-5b
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
to the Church of the Thessalonians
which is in God the Father
and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you.
At all times, we give thanks to God for all of you,
remembering you in our prayers.
Constantly, we recall
that your faith is active,
that your charity works hard,
that your hope endures
in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the presence of God our Father.
We know, beloved brothers and sisters of God,
that you have been chosen by him.
Indeed, our preaching of the Gospel among you
was not merely words,
but power, the action of the Holy Spirit, with full conviction.
– The word of the Lord.
GospelMt 22, 15-21
At that time,
the Pharisees went and plotted
to entrap Jesus in what he said.
They sent their disciples to him,
along with the Herodians:
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful
and teach the way of God in truth;
you are not influenced by anyone,
for you do not regard people according to appearance.
So tell us what you think:
Is it lawful or not
to pay the tax to Caesar, the emperor?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said:
“Hypocrites!
Why do you put me to the test?
Show me the coin used for the tax.”
They brought him a denarius.
He said to them:
“Whose image and inscription is this?”
They replied:
“Caesar’s.”
So he said to them:
“Then render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,
and to God what belongs to God.”
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org