July 27, 2014

Reading

First Book of Kings 3: 5, 7-12

3:5 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon, through a dream in the night, saying, “Request whatever you wish, so that I may give it to you.”

3:7 And now, O Lord God, you have caused your servant to reign in place of David, my father. But I am a small child, and I am ignorant of my entrance and departure.

3:8 And your servant is in the midst of the people that you have chosen, an immense people, who are not able to be numbered or counted because of their multitude.

3:9 Therefore, give to your servant a teachable heart, so that he may be able to judge your people, and to discern between good and evil. For who will be able to judge this people, your people, who are so many?”

3:10 And the word was pleasing before the Lord, that Solomon had requested this kind of thing.

3:11 And the Lord said to Solomon: “Since you have requested this word, and you have not asked for many days or for wealth for yourself, nor for the lives of your enemies, but instead you have requested for yourself wisdom in order to discern judgment:

3:12 behold, I have done for you according to your words, and I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so much so that there has been no one like you before you, nor anyone who will rise up after you.

Second Reading

 Romans 8: 28-30

8:28 And we know that, for those who love God, all things work together unto good, for those who, in accordance with his purpose, are called to be saints.

8:29 For those whom he foreknew, he also predestinated, in conformity with the image of his Son, so that he might be the Firstborn among many brothers.

8:30 And those whom he predestinated, he also called. And those whom he called, he also justified. And those whom he justified, he also glorified.

Gospel

Matthew 13: 44-52

13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man finds it, he hides it, and, because of his joy, he goes and sells everything that he has, and he buys that field.

13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking good pearls.

13:46 Having found one pearl of great value, he went away and sold all that he had, and he bought it.

13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathers together all kinds of fish.

13:48 When it has been filled, drawing it out and sitting beside the shore, they selected the good into vessels, but the bad they threw away.

13:49 So shall it be at the consummation of the age. The Angels shall go forth and separate the bad from the midst of the just.

13:50 And they shall cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13:51 Have you understood all these things?” They say to him, “Yes.”

13:52 He said to them, “Therefore, every scribe well-taught about the kingdom of heaven, is like a man, the father of a family, who offers from his storehouse both the new and the old.”