Mass Readings: Sunday, 26th July 2020

FIRST READING
A reading from the First Book of Kings    3:5. 7-12
You have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and
now I do what you ask.

At Gibeon the Lord appeared in a dream to Solomon during the
night. God said, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you’. Now, the
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 number 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.



Responsorial Psalm    Ps 118

Response Lord how I love your law!

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Your will is wonderful indeed;
therefore I obey it.
The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches the simple.



SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Romans    8:28-30
God intended 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.



Gospel Acclamation    Jn 15: 15

Alleluia, alleluia!
I call you friends, says the Lord,
because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from
my Father.
Alleluia!

Or Mt 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Alleluia!



GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew    13:44-52
He sells everything he owns and buys it.

‘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.

_______________

Shorter form of the Gospel

GOSPEL
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:44-52
He sells everything he owns and buys it.

‘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.