 |
| "The Hidden Treasure" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST READING: 1 Kings 3: 5, 7 - 12
5 It was in Gibeon, during the night, that Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask what you want me to give you."
7 And now, O Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a young boy who does not know how to undertake anything.
8 Meantime, your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen - a people so great that they can neither be numbered nor counted.
9 Give me, therefore, an understanding mind in governing your people that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this multitude of people of yours?"
10 Yahweh was pleased that Solomon had made this request.
11 And he told him, "Because you have requested this rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies; indeed, because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12 I shall grant you your request. I now give you a wise and discerning mind such as no one has had before you nor anyone after you shall ever have.
PSALM: Psalms 119: 57, 72, 76 - 77, 127 - 130
57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your word.
72 Your law is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold.
76 Comfort me then with your unfailing love, as you promised your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to give me life, for your law is my delight.
127 I love your commandments more than gold - the finest gold.
128 Because my steps are guided by your precepts, I hate all false ways.
129 Wonderful are your decrees; my soul cannot but keep them.
130 As your words unfold, light is shed, and the simple-hearted understand.
SECOND READING: Romans 8: 28 - 30
28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called according to his plan.
29 Those whom he knew beforehand, he has also predestined to be like his Son, similar to him, so that he may be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
30 And so, those whom God predestined he called, and those whom he called he makes righteous, and to those whom he makes righteous he will give his Glory.
GOSPEL: Matthew 13: 44 - 52 OR Matthew 13: 44 - 46
44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The one who finds it buries it again; and so happy is he, that he goes and sells everything he has, in order to buy that field.
45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who is looking for fine pearls.
46 Once he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a big fishing net let down into the sea, in which every kind of fish has been caught.
48 When the net is full, it is dragged ashore. Then they sit down and gather the good fish in buckets, but throw the worthless ones away.
49 That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just
50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth."
51 Jesus asked, "Have you understood all these things?" "Yes," they answered.
52 So he said to them, "You will see that every teacher of the Law who becomes a disciple of the Kingdom is like a householder who can produce from his store things both new and old."
OR
44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The one who finds it buries it again; and so happy is he, that he goes and sells everything he has, in order to buy that field.
45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who is looking for fine pearls.
46 Once he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it.
