Word Wide Open: The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) - 7/30/23

First Reading (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12)

A reading from the First Book of Kings.

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."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why was God so pleased with Solomon’s prayer? How can we grow in understanding?

Second Reading (Romans 8:28-30)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. 

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.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? DO things always go right because we love God? What does it mean to be predestined to be conformed to Christ’s image? 

Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

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."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What are the things we need to “sell” to get the treasure of heaven? Why can our material things get in the way of holiness?