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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
The
readings for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A are focused on the Kingdom
of God. The first reading reminds us that God desires justice and has shown us
the way of kindness. The second reading tells us that the Spirit aids us in our
weakness. And in the gospel Jesus gives us several parables related to the
Kingdom of God, including the parable of the weeds in the wheat, the parable of
the mustard seed, and the parable of the yeast.- Coexistence
of Good and Evil: In
the gospel for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jesus presents the
reality that in this world, both the children of the kingdom (believers)
and the children of the evil one (unbelievers) will coexist until the
final judgment, highlighting the presence of evil and the challenges faced
by believers in a fallen world.
- Spiritual
Warfare: The
parable depicts the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil,
illustrating the strategies of the enemy to sow deception and hinder the
growth of God’s kingdom.
- Patience
and Delayed Judgment: The
parable emphasizes God’s patience and long-suffering, as He allows both
the wheat and the tares to grow together until the harvest, symbolizing
the delay of final judgment and the opportunity for repentance.
- God’s
Sovereignty: The
parable portrays God’s ultimate sovereignty and authority over the final
judgment, when the wheat (righteous) will be gathered into His kingdom,
and the tares (wicked) will be cast into eternal punishment.
- Growth
and Fruitfulness: The
parable highlights the importance of spiritual growth and fruitfulness in
the lives of believers, as represented by the wheat, emphasizing the need
for genuine faith and righteous living.
- The
Kingdom’s Expansion: In
the gospel for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jesus teaches that
the kingdom of God will expand and grow, starting small but eventually
encompassing many people, cultures, and nations, reflecting God’s plan for
the expansion of His kingdom.
Entrance:
1. Awit
sa Himaya
2. Awit
sa Pagdayeg
3. Awit
ng Pasasalamat
4. Buksan
ang aming Puso (Tinio, Hontiveros)
5. Praise
the Lord, My Soul (Foley)
6. All
the Ends of the Earth (Dufford)
Reading
1 Wis 12:13, 16-19
There
is no god besides you who have the care of all,
that
you need show you have not unjustly condemned.
For
your might is the source of justice;
your
mastery over all things makes you lenient to all.
For
you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved;
and
in those who know you, you rebuke temerity.
But
though you are master of might, you judge with clemency,
and
with much lenience you govern us;
for
power, whenever you will, attends you.
And
you taught your people, by these deeds,
that
those who are just must be kind;
and
you gave your children good ground for hope
that
you would permit repentance for their sins.
Responsorial
Psalm Ps
86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
R.
(5a) Lord, you are good and forgiving.
You,
O LORD, are good and forgiving,
abounding
in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken,
O LORD, to my prayer
and
attend to the sound of my pleading.
R.
Lord, you are good and forgiving.
All
the nations you have made shall come
and
worship you, O LORD,
and
glorify your name.
For
you are great, and you do wondrous deeds;
you
alone are God.
R.
Lord, you are good and forgiving.
You,
O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow
to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity.
Turn
toward me, and have pity on me;
give
your strength to your servant.
R.
Lord, you are good and forgiving.
Reading
2 Rom
8:26-27
Brothers
and sisters:
The
Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for
we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but
the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And
the one who searches hearts
knows
what is the intention of the Spirit,
because
he intercedes for the holy ones
according
to God's will.
Alleluia Cf. Mt
11:25
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed
are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you
have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt
13:24-43
Jesus
proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
"The
kingdom of heaven may be likened
to
a man who sowed good seed in his field.
While
everyone was asleep his enemy came
and
sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When
the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The
slaves of the householder came to him and said,
'Master,
did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where
have the weeds come from?'
He
answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
His
slaves said to him,
'Do
you want us to go and pull them up?'
He
replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you
might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let
them grow together until harvest;
then
at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First
collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but
gather the wheat into my barn."'"
He
proposed another parable to them.
"The
kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
that
a person took and sowed in a field.
It
is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet
when full-grown it is the largest of plants.
It
becomes a large bush,
and
the 'birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'"
He
spoke to them another parable.
"The
kingdom of heaven is like yeast
that
a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour
until
the whole batch was leavened."
All
these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
He
spoke to them only in parables,
to
fulfill what had been said through the prophet:
I
will open my mouth in parables,
I
will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation
of
the world.
Then,
dismissing the crowds, he went into the house.
His
disciples approached him and said,
"Explain
to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He
said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the
field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.
The
weeds are the children of the evil one,
and
the enemy who sows them is the devil.
The
harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just
as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so
will it be at the end of the age.
The
Son of Man will send his angels,
and
they will collect out of his kingdom
all
who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They
will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where
there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then
the righteous will shine like the sun
in
the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever
has ears ought to hear."
or
Mt
13:24-30
Jesus
proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
"The
kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man
who
sowed good seed in his field.
While
everyone was asleep his enemy came
and
sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When
the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The
slaves of the householder came to him and said,
'Master,
did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where
have the weeds come from?'
He
answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
His
slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
He
replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds
you
might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let
them grow together until harvest;
then
at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
"First
collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but
gather the wheat into my barn."'"
Offertory:- Diyutay
lang Kini
- Ihalad
Namo Kanimo
- Pag-aalay
ng Puso
- Unang
Alay
- Christify
- Blessed
be GOD
Communion:- Ang
Kinabuhi sa Tawo
- Kini
Maong Akong Lawas
- Pagkakaibigan
- Hiram
sa Dios
- One
Thing I ask
- Love
and Truth Will Meet
Recessional:- Ang
Tawag
- Pananagutan
- Tanda
ng Kaharian ng Dios
- Save
us, O Lord..
