Today's first two readings talk about the call and faithfulness to that call. God calls whom He wills, and often unexpected people are called, as in the case of Cyrus, who hardly knew God. In calling him, God gave him a special anointing and a unique name. We note in the reading that God grasps his hand, indicating that the power for his mission is from God, who will lead him. Cyrus was the chosen instrument who liberated the Jews and permitted them to return to their own land and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

The Thessalonians in the second reading are praised by Paul for the way they live their lives through the love and endurance they experience in Jesus.

In the Gospel reading, on the other hand, the Pharisees, far from liberating people, lead them further into slavery through their many outward rituals. They try again to test Jesus by asking Him an awkward question. Whatever way He answers, He will be offending one side or the other, the people or the Roman authorities. But Jesus knows their hearts and answers their question by asking another. He tells them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. There is no contradiction here, but in mentioning God, Jesus raises their question to a new level, leading them to the truth.