Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 26 July 2026
First Reading: First Kings 3: 5, 7-12
God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. (11-12)
King Solomon asked the Lord for an “understanding mind to be able to discern between good and evil” (10). God blessed him and not only granted him wisdom but abundant riches too!
Likewise, we too ask the Lord for a discerning mind, but we also ask for a humble and obedient will so that we may be able to actively choose the right path that we may discern.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold. Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts; I hate every false way. (127 – 128)
Alleluia, Amen!
Second Reading: Romans 8: 28-30
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (28)
How do we know we are called according to his purpose? – By our Baptism in Jesus Christ, we know that we are called according to His purpose! God allows us the free will to accept or reject him! “…Those who love me will keep my word…” (John 14: 21 -24) Jesus has already explained it for us here!
Hence, we believe that “… all things work together for our good …!” In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
Alleluia, Alleluia! At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 13: 44-52
“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore, every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (51 -52)
The treasure hidden in a field, search for fine pearls, a net full of various fish – What or where are we looking? Why is our search futile? How could we correct our course? Why are we afraid to dig the field or step into the sea? When we find the courage to redirect our steps toward the sea/field, we will find that treasure! Today, we ask the Lord to let us discern what or where our field or sea is!
The Apostles understood these parables of Jesus and walked in faith — we ask them to intercede for us today! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Praise God! Happy Sunday, everyone!
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