First reading
1 Kings 3:5,7–12
Solomon chooses the gift of wisdom.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 118(119):57,72,76–77, 127–130
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Second reading
Romans 8:28–30
Those he called, he justified.
Gospel acclamation
cf. Matthew 11:25Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
Gospel
Matthew 13:44–52
He sells everything he owns and buys the field.
Images from the Word
- Treasure hidden
- A fine pearl
- New and old
- Heart wise and shrewd
- True images of his Son
Liturgical notes
This will best be accomplished if, with due regard for the nature and the particular circumstances of each liturgical assembly, the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active, and full participation of the faithful both in body and in mind, a participation burning with faith, hope, and charity, of the sort which is desired by the Church and demanded by the very nature of the celebration, and to which the Christian people have a right and duty by reason of their Baptism.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §18
How important it is that we gather physically as the Body of Christ . Our physical presence is in fact constitutive of being Church. Gathered as God’s beloved people, we are able to fully participate and exercise our priestly roles. We gather in this time and place to offer sacrifice and praise to our God as the one Body of Christ. We then go from this physical gathering to continue our Christian life as service to God and to one another.
‘Accompany with constant protection, O Lord, those you renew with these heavenly gifts and, in your never-ending care for them, make them worthy of eternal redemption.’ —prayer after Communion