Posted: 7/25/2026 6:36:57 AM EDT
 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 109 26 JULY 2026 A.D.  Reading 1 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon answered: "O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this— not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you."  Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 R. Lord, I love your commands. I have said, O LORD, that my part is to keep your words. The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. R. Lord, I love your commands. Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. R. Lord, I love your commands. For I love your commands more than gold, however fine. For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate. R. Lord, I love your commands. Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them. The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. R. Lord, I love your commands.  Reading 2 Romans 8:28-30 Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.  Alleluia Matthew 11:25 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. R. Alleluia, alleluia.  Gospel Matthew 13:44-52 Jesus said to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."  Overview of the Gospel: • This Sunday’s Gospel reading is the conclusion of Matthew, chapter 13, which features many of Jesus’ most well known parables. We will be looking at three parables and a final instruction by Jesus. • Verses 44-46 are really two parables that emphasize one important truth: the surpassing riches and beauty of the kingdom of heaven are worth more than anything that would be given up to obtain it, whether one just stumbles upon it (verse 44) or is searching for it (verse 45-46). Some, like the rich young man in Matthew 19:21, will find the cost too high. • Verses 47-50 concerns a dragnet, a very large net that was tied between two fishing boats. Along with fish, it also tended to pick up trash, seaweed and algae that had to be separated from the catch. Like the parable of the weeds in the field we heard last week, Jesus likens this to the Church at the Last Judgment. • Finally, Jesus reveals to his Apostles how they will be like the religious teachers who taught the old Law. The difference, however, is that they will find their treasure not only in the Old Testament, but also in the new Law of the Gospel. [special thanks to Vince Contreras: Scripture Study - Year A] 
|
|
Originally Posted By BeNotAfraid:Reading 1 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon answered: "O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." |