First Reading

1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 (JB)

A reading from the first book of the Kings

You have asked for wisdom.

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you.’ Solomon replied, ‘Lord, my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership. Your servant finds himself in the midst of this people of yours that you have chosen, a people so many its numbers cannot be counted or reckoned. Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon should have asked for this. ‘Since you have asked for this’ the Lord said ‘and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you.’

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

1 Kings 3:7-12 (NRSV)

A reading from the first book of Kings

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night;

and God said, “Ask what I should give you.”

And Solomon said,

“You have shown great and steadfast love

to your servant my father David,

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 today.

“And now, O Lord my God,

you have made your servant king in place of my father David,

although I am only a little child;

I do not know how to go out or come in.

And your servant is in the midst of the people

whom you have chosen, a great people,

so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind

to govern your people,

able to discern between good and evil;

for who can govern this, your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

God said to him,

“Because you have asked this,

and have not asked for yourself long life or riches,

or for the life of your enemies,

but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,

I now do according to your word.

Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind;

no one like you has been before you

and no one like you shall arise after you.”

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 118:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130 (JB)

R. Lord, I love your commands.

My part, I have resolved, O Lord,

is to obey your word.

The law from your mouth means more to me

than silver and gold. R.

Let your love be ready to console me

by your promise to your servant.

Let your love come to me and I shall live

for your law is my delight. R.

That is why I love your commands

more than finest gold.

That is why I rule my life by your precepts:

I hate false ways. R.

Your will is wonderful indeed;

therefore I obey it.

The unfolding of your word gives light

and teaches the simple. R.

Second Reading

Romans 8:28-30 (JB)

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans

He predestined us to become true images of his Son.

We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Romans 8:28-30 (NRSV)

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans

We know that all things work together for good

for those who love God,

who are called according to his purpose.

For those whom God foreknew

he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,

in order that he might be the firstborn

among many brothers and sisters.

And those whom God predestined he also called;

and those whom he called he also justified;

and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation

cf Matthew 11:25 (JB)

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.

Alleluia!

Matthew 11:25 (NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 13:44-46 (JB)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

He sells everything he owns and buys the field.

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 13:44-52 (JB)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

He sells everything he owns and buys the field.

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

‘Have you understood all this?’ They said ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 13:44-52 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew

Jesus spoke to his disciples:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,

which someone found and hid;

then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has

and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant

in search of fine pearls;

on finding one pearl of great value,

he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net

that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;

when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down,

and put the good into baskets

but threw out the bad.

“So it will be at the end of the age.

The angels will come out

and separate the evil from the righteous

and throw them into the furnace of fire,

where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?”

They answered, “Yes.”

And he said to them,

“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven

is like the master of a household

who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.