July 26, 2020
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.”
Psalm: 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130
57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep thy words. 72 The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy promise to thy servant. 77 Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false way. 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. 51 Have you understood all this?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
Reflection for the day: “The more we are afflicted in this world, the greater is our assurance in the next; the more sorrow in the present, the greater will be our joy in the future.” — St. Isadore of Seville
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