Readings for
Sunday, July 25, 1999
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

(From the Revised Standard Version English Bible
unless otherwise indicated)

First Reading

1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 (109)

5
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."

7
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
8
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude.
9
Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?"
10
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11
And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
12
behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 119:57, 72-130

57
The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep thy words.

72
The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
73
Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.
74
Those who fear thee shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in thy word.
75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
76
Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy promise to thy servant.
77
Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.
78
Let the godless be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on thy precepts.
79
Let those who fear thee turn to me, that they may know thy testimonies.
80
May my heart be blameless in thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame!
81
My soul languishes for thy salvation; I hope in thy word.
82
My eyes fail with watching for thy promise; I ask, "When wilt thou comfort me?"
83
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten thy statutes.
84
How long must thy servant endure? When wilt thou judge those who persecute me?
85
Godless men have dug pitfalls for me, men who do not conform to thy law.
86
All thy commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87
They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I have not forsaken thy precepts.
88
In thy steadfast love spare my life, that I may keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
89
For ever, O LORD, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90
Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast.
91
By thy appointment they stand this day; for all things are thy servants.
92
If thy law had not been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction.
93
I will never forget thy precepts; for by them thou hast given me life.
94
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; but I consider thy testimonies.
96
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but thy commandment is exceedingly broad.
97
Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
98
Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the aged, for I keep thy precepts.
101
I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word.
102
I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me.
103
How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
105
Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe thy righteous ordinances.
107
I am sorely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to thy word!
108
Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me thy ordinances.
109
I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget thy law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from thy precepts.
111
Thy testimonies are my heritage for ever; yea, they are the joy of my heart.
112
I incline my heart to perform thy statutes for ever, to the end.
113
I hate double-minded men, but I love thy law.
114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word.
115
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117
Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for thy statutes continually!
118
Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes; yea, their cunning is in vain.
119
All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.
120
My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121
I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122
Be surety for thy servant for good; let not the godless oppress me.
123
My eyes fail with watching for thy salvation, and for the fulfilment of thy righteous promise.
124
Deal with thy servant according to thy steadfast love, and teach me thy statutes.
125
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies!
126
It is time for the LORD to act, for thy law has been broken.
127
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, above fine gold.
128
Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false way.
129
Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
130
The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Second Reading

Romans 8:28-30

28
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
29
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
30
And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Gospel

Matthew 13:44-52 or 13:44-46

44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; 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
who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;
48
when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.
49
So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous,
50
and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
51
"Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes."
52
And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."