Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 26, 2020
First Reading: 1 Kings 3.5-12
5At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."6Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.7"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.8Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.11So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,12I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Psalm 119
1Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.2Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.3They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.4You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.5Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!6Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.7I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.8I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.12Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.13With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.14I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.15I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.16I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.17Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.18Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.19I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.20My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.21You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands.22Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.23Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.24Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.25I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.26I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.27Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.28My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.29Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.30I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.31I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame.32I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.33Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.34Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.35Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.36Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.38Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.39Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.40How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness.41May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;42then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.43Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.44I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.45I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.46I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,47for I delight in your commands because I love them.48I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.49Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.50My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.51The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law.52I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.53Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.54Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.55In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.56This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.57You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.58I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.59I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.60I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.61Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.62At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.63I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.64The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.65Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD.66Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.68You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.69Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.70Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.71It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.72The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.73Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.74May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.75I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.76May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.77Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.78May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.79May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.80May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.81My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.82My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?"83Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees.84How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?85The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law.86All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.87They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.88Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.89Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.91Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.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 preserved my life.94Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.95The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.96To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.97Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.98Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.99I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.100I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.101I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.102I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.103How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!104I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.106I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.107I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.108Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.109Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.110The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.111Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.112My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.113I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.114You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.115Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!116Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.117Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.118You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain.119All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.120My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.121I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.122Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.123My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.124Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.125I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.126It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken.127Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,128and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.129Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.130The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.131I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.132Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.133Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.134Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts.135Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.136Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.137Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right.138The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.139My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.140Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.141Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.142Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.143Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.144Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.145I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees.146I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.147I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.148My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.149Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your laws.150Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.151Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true.152Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.153Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.154Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.156Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws.157Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.158I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.159See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.160All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.161Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.162I rejoice in your promise 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 laws.165Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.166I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands.167I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.168I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.169May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.170May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.171May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.172May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.173May 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 me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.176I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
Second Reading: Romans 8.28-30
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Gospel: Matthew 13.44-48
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
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.