First Reading: (Is 45:1.4-6). The return of the people from the Babylonian exile – a return made possible by King Cyrus – is seen as a sign of God’s love for his people, Israel, and of his lordship over all peoples.

Second Reading (1 Thess 1:1-5). Here we see Paul’s concern for the Christians at Thessalonika.

Gospel (Mt 22:15-21). This is the story of an effort by the enemies of Jesus to trap him into saying something incriminating.

The question put to Jesus was a test question to see whether he would declare himself on the side of those who opposed paying taxes to the Romans (eg. the Pharisees), or on the side of those who collaborated with the Romans (eg. the Herodians). If he said Yes, he would lose the esteem of the people, and would be regarded as a traitor to the Jewish cause and the Jewish religion. If he said No, he could be denounced as fomenting rebellion against Rome.

As people of faith Jesus affirms that we are both citizens of this earth and citizens of Heaven. We give God something that we do not give to any earthly ruler, that is worship. And this is precisely why we gather at Mass – to worship God, Creator of the universe and Father of us all, and to celebrate the love that has been lavished on us in Jesus.