July 27, 2014

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 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."

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Responsorial Psalm: 119:57,72.76-77.127-128.129-130
Response: 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. (Response)
   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. (Response)
   For I love your command more than gold, however fine. For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate. (Response)
   Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them. The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (Response)

Second Reading: 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 those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

Gospel Reading: 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."

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
   The truths about the kingdom of heaven are mysteries. They are revealed through parables. A truth about the kingdom is that it is like a treasure. Treasures are always hidden and they are buried. They are not easily visible and available. Anyone who wants to possess this treasure will not make it known to everyone until he buys it. He will be ready to sacrifice everything to possess the kingdom. Kingdom is a treasure that demands sacrifice.
   Yet another truth about the kingdom is that it is like a fishing net that hauls all sorts of fish. There are varieties of fish and there are also good ones and bad ones. Good fish and bad fish live together and they are hauled in to the same net (kingdom). It is at the end of times that they are separated. No net hauls only good fish. Kingdom is not the place of only good people. Kingdom will also have evil ones. But it is at the end of times that they are separated.