Introit

  

Collect

O God, protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy,
bestow in abundance your mercy upon us
and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may use the good things that pass
in such a way as to hold fast even now
to those that ever endure.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

First Reading 1 KGS 3:5, 7-12

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 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. 7 “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. 8 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. 9 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?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 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, 12 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.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

 

R. Lord, I love your commands.

Second Reading  ROM 8:28-30

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 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. 30 And those whom God predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Gospel Acclamation CF. MT 11:25

 

Gospel MT 13:44-52

Jesus spoke to his disciples: 44 “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. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he 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 caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.* 49 “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 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.”

Catena Nova

To the seeker after fine pearls may be applied the words, “Seek and you will find,” and, “Everyone who seeks will find.” If you ask what is to be sought, and what will be found by everyone who seeks for it, I say with all confidence: pearls—especially that pearl which will be acquired by those who give their all, who sacrifice everything for it, the pearl Paul meant when he said: “I have accepted the loss of everything in order to gain Christ.” “Everything” means beautiful pearls; “to gain Christ” refers to the one pearl of great price (Origen).

Lord, who can comprehend even one of your words? We lose more of it than we grasp, like those who drink from a living spring. For God’s word offers different facets according to the capacity of the listener.  And the Lord has portrayed his message in many colors, so that whoever gazes upon it can see in it what suits him. Within it he has buried manifold treasures, so that each of us might grow rich in seeking them out....And so whenever anyone discovers some part of the treasure, they should not think that they have exhausted God’s word. Instead they should feel that this is all that they were able to find of the wealth contained in it....What you have received and attained is your present share, while what is left will be your heritage. For what you could not take at one time because of your weakness, you will be able to grasp at another if you only persevere. So do not foolishly try to drain in one draught what cannot be consumed all at once.  And do not cease out of faintheartedness from what you will be able to absorb as time goes on (St. Ephrem the Syrian). 

If you have found wisdom, you have found honey. But do not eat so much that you become too full and bring it all up. Eat so that you are always hungry. Wisdom says: Those who eat me continue to hunger. Do not think you have too much of it, but do not eat too much or you will throw it up. If you do, what you seem to have will be taken away from you, because you gave up searching too soon. While wisdom is near and while it can be found, look for it and ask for its help.  (St. Bernard of Clairvaux).

Wisdom watches over all people and all things in heaven and on earth, being of such radiance and brightness that, for the measureless splendor that shines in Her, you cannot gaze on Her face or on the garments She wears. For She is awesome in terror as the Thunderer's lightening, and gentle in goodness as the sunshine. Hence, in Her terror and Her gentleness, She is incomprehensible to mortals, because of the dread radiance of divinity in Her face and the brightness that dwells in Her as the robe of Her beauty. She is like the Sun, which none can contemplate in its blazing face or in the glorious garment of its rays. For She is with all and in all, and of beauty so great in Her mystery that no one could know how sweetly She bears with people, and with what unfathomable mercy She spares them (St. Hildegard of Bingen).

There is in all visible things an invisible fecundity, a dimmed light, a meek namelessness, a hidden wholeness. This mysterious Unity and Integrity is Wisdom, the Mother of all....There is in all things an inexhaustible sweetness and purity, a silence that is a fount of action and joy. It rises up in wordless gentleness and flows out to me from the unseen roots of all created being, welcoming me tenderly, saluting me with indescribable humility. This is at once my own being, my own nature, and the Gift of my Creator’s Thought and Art within me, speaking as Hagia Sophia, speaking as my sister, Wisdom. I am awakened, I am born again at the voice of this, my Sister, sent to me from the depths of the divine fecundity. (Thomas Merton)

Homily

Intercessions (Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)

For the Church: that we may place a supreme value on seeking the reign of God and utilize all our talents to deepen our relationship with God.

For all leaders in the Christian community: that God will give them wisdom in choosing how to present the Gospel tradition in new and meaningful ways today.

For grace and insight: that we may utilize the traditions and practices that have sustained previous generations of Christians and be open to following the new inspirations of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

For all judges: that God's wisdom will fill their hearts so that they may decide fairly for all the afflicted and reverence the value and dignity of each human life.

For all who are working for justice: that God will help them to remind society of the truth about human dignity and inspire their words to unlock hearts and move people to action.

For members of Congress: that God will break through the mistrust that has developed and guide them in developing effective laws to address injustice and the greatest needs of society.

For all suffering from the heat: that God will moderate the temperatures, help sufferers to find relief, and help us to show care for one another.

 God of eternal wisdom, you alone impart the gift of right judgement. Grant us an understanding heart, that we may value wisely the treasure of your kingdom and gladly forgo all lesser gifts to possess that kingdom’s incomparable joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (ICEL; 1998)

Offertory Antiphon

Offertory Hymn

 

The Lord appeared within a dream

When Solomon was deep in sleep

And offered him his heart’s delight,

A precious gift for him to keep.

 

Of all the things he could have had,

The monarch chose a gift of grace,

An understanding heart, that he

Might wisely govern all his race.

 

The reign of God (as Jesus taught)

Is seen by folk of single heart

Who, having found the precious pearl,

Will never from their treasure part.

 

All things, for those who love the Lord,

Our God will cause to work out well.

The loving heart, the focused mind,

Will lose no chance, God’s praise to tell.

Communion Antiphon

Closing Hymn (John Michael Talbot)

 

I sought the Lord for Wisdom
Therefore I prayed and prudence was given
I preferred her to riches and gold
In comparison with her all glory will fade

Gold becomes like the merest sand
Silver is accounted as mire
Yet all good things come together in her
And countless riches at her hand

For she is artificer of all
And she is the gift from God

Simply I learned of Wisdom
Simply do I now share her with you
She is an unfailing treasure
And those who gain her win friendship with God

She is the sure of the light of God
A pure effusion of His glory
She reflects eternal light
A spotless mirror of the image of God
For she is artificer of all
And she is the gift from God

I sought to take her for my bride
From my youth I sought her beauty
Beside her now I take my repose
Living with her brings love, joy and peace