17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - July 30, 2023

 
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The readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A are about the wisdom of God which is very different from the wisdom of the world. The first reading recalls how Solomon requested the gift of understanding instead of material goods or power. The psalm reminds us that God’s commands are more precious than gold. The second reading tells us to work for God’s purpose. And in the gospel Jesus gives us more parables related to the Kingdom of God, including the treasure in the field, the pearl of great price, and treasures new and old.
 
The Kingdom of Heaven’s Value: The gospel highlights the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven, comparing it to a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price. It emphasizes the worthiness of sacrificing everything to possess and experience the Kingdom’s blessings.
Joy and Sacrifice: The response of the person who discovers the treasure and the merchant who finds the valuable pearl exemplifies the joy and willingness to sacrifice worldly possessions to obtain the Kingdom’s eternal riches.
Discernment and Understanding: Jesus emphasizes the importance of discernment and understanding in relation to the mysteries of the Kingdom. He likens the scribe instructed about the Kingdom to a householder who brings out treasures both old and new, suggesting the need to appreciate the timeless truths of Scripture while also being receptive to new revelations from God.
Separation of the Righteous and the Wicked: The parable of the dragnet highlights the final separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end of the age, emphasizing the importance of making choices that align with God’s righteousness and the consequences of rejecting the Kingdom.
Scribes as Teachers of the Kingdom: Jesus elevates the role of the scribes in teaching the Kingdom of Heaven, indicating the significance of sharing the truths of the Kingdom and its implications with others.
The Call to Hear and Understand: Jesus concludes by urging His disciples to become like scribes trained for the Kingdom, emphasizing the need for attentive listening, understanding, and the application of Kingdom principles in their lives.
 
Entrance:
1.      Himaya Kanimo, Kristo Jesus
2.      Awit sa Himaya
3.      Pagmamahal sa Panginoon (Hontiveros)
4.      Sa Tahanan ng Poon
5.      Seek the Lord (O’ Connor)
6.      All the Ends of the Earth (Dufford)
 
Reading 1                                   1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12
The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."
Solomon answered:
"O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king
to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
 
The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him:
"Because you have asked for this—
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches,
nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you."
 
Responsorial Psalm                    Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.
I have said, O LORD, that my part
is to keep your words.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
For I love your command
more than gold, however fine.
For in all your precepts I go forward;
every false way I hate.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
 
Reading 2                        Rom 8:28-30
Brothers and sisters:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
 
Alleluia                             Cf. Mt 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 
Gospel                             Mt 13:44-52
Jesus said to his disciples:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
 

"Do you understand all these things?"
They answered, "Yes."
And he replied,
"Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household
who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."
 
or
 
Mt 13:44-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
 
Offertory:
1.      Gasa sa Gugma (Koro Viannista)
2.      Mugna sa Dios (Koro Viannista)
3.      Pag-aalay (Francisco)
4.      Kapuri-puri ka (Que)
5.      Take and Receive
6.      Dwelling Place
 
Communion:
1.      Kini Maong Akong Lawas
2.      Hiyas
3.      Awit ng Paghahangad
4.      Awit ng Paghilom
5.      Hesus na aking Kapatid
6.      Huwag kang Mangamba
7.      One Thing I ask
8.      How Lovely is your Dwelling Place
 
Recessional:
1.      Ang Tawag
2.      Kay Kita Usa ra
3.      Stella Maris (since July is the Month of Immaculate of Mary)
4.      Ang Puso Ko’ Nagpupuri
5.      All My Days
6.      Before the Sun Burned Bright