Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2020
First Reading: 1 Kings 3.5-12
5At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.7And now, O LORD my God, you have made your 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.8And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.11And 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,12behold, 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
1Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,3who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!4You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.5Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!6Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.7I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.8I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!Beth9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.10With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!11I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.12Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!13With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.14In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.15I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.16I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.Gimel17Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.18Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.19I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!20My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.21You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.22Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.23Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.24Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.Daleth25My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!26When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!27Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.28My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!29Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!30I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.31I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!32I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! He33Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.34Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.35Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.36Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!37Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.38Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.39Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.40Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!Waw41Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;42then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.44I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,45and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.46I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,47for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.48I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.Zayin49Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.50This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.51The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.52When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.53Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.54Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.55I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.56This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.Heth57The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.58I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.59When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;60I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.61Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.62At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.63I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.64The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!Teth65You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.68You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.69The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;70their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.71It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.72The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.Yodh73Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.74Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.75I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.76Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.77Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.78Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.79Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.80May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!Kaph81My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.82My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"83For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.84How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?85The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.86All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!87They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.88In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.Lamedh89Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.90Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.91By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.92If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.93I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.94I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.96I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.Mem97Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.99I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.100I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.101I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.102I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.103How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!104Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.Nun105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.107I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!108Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules.109I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.110The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.111Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.112I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. Samekh113I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.114You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.115Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.116Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!117Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!118You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.119All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.120My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.Ayin121I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.122Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.123My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.124Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.125I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!126It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.127Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.128Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.Pe129Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.130The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.131I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.132Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.133Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.134Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.135Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.136My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.Tsadhe137Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.138You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.139My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.140Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.141I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.142Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.143Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.144Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.Qoph145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes.146I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.147I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.148My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.149Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life.150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law.151But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.152Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.Resh153Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.154Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.156Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules.157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.158I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.159Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love.160The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.Sin and Shin161Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.162I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.163I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.164Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.165Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.166I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.167My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.168I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.Taw169Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!170Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.171My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.172My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.173Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.174I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.175Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
Second Reading: Romans 8.28-30
28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30And 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 13.44-48
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,46who, 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 that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of wisdom, God’s providence, and the kingdom of heaven. In the first reading, Solomon, newly anointed king, humbly asks God not for wealth, power, or vengeance, but for a “teachable heart” to judge God’s people wisely. This request pleases God, who grants Solomon not only wisdom but also the promise of blessings for his faithfulness. The second reading from Romans assures us that for those who love God, all things work together for good. Paul emphasizes the predestination and calling of the saints, reminding us that our lives are part of God’s larger plan. In the Gospel, Jesus uses parables to describe the kingdom of heaven as a hidden treasure, a pearl of great value, and a net that gathers all kinds of fish. These images suggest that the kingdom is worth sacrificing everything for and that it encompasses both the good and the bad, which will ultimately be separated.
These readings are connected by the theme of discernment and trust in God’s plan. Solomon’s request for wisdom is a model of humility and trust in God’s guidance, while Paul’s words in Romans remind us that our lives are part of a divine plan that works for our good. The parables in Matthew call us to seek the kingdom of heaven with the same single-mindedness as the merchant seeking the pearl or the man finding the hidden treasure. Together, they encourage us to trust in God’s providence, seek wisdom, and prioritize the kingdom of heaven above all else.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on our priorities and our trust in God. Do we, like Solomon, ask for wisdom to discern good from evil? Do we, like Paul, trust that even in difficult times, God is working for our good? Do we, like the characters in Jesus’ parables, value the kingdom of heaven enough to make sacrifices for it? Let us pray for the wisdom to see God’s hand in our lives and the courage to seek the kingdom of heaven with joy and determination. May we remember that true treasure lies not in earthly riches but in the eternal riches of God’s kingdom.