Jesus Teaches About Two Kingdoms

Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost (A)

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Matthew 22:15-22



Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Text: Latin, 4th century; German version, Katholisches Gesangbuch, Vienna, 1774
Translation: Clarence A. Walworth, 1820-1900, alt.
Tune: Grosser Gott

Holy God, we praise Thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth thy scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore Thee.
Infinite your vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! The glad celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
"Holy, holy, holy Lord!"

Lo, the apostolic train
Join Thy sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun
Through the Church the song goes on.

Thou art King of Glory, Christ;
Son of God, yet born of Mary.
For us sinners sacrificed,
As to death a Tributary,
First to break the bars of death,
Thou hast opened heaven to faith.

Holy Father, holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name Thee,
Though in essence only one;
Undivided God we claim Thee
And, adoring, bend the knee
While we own the mystery.