Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

LECTIONARY
109

FIRST READING

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."

PSALM

PS 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

Response: 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.

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.

For I love your command
more than gold, however fine.
For in all your precepts I go forward;
every false way I hate.

Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.

SECOND READING

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.

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."

Daily Reflection

26th July 2026

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

King Solomon, at the beginning of his reign, sought the gift of wisdom and understanding so as to be able to discern between good and evil and rule over his people wisely. This is the wisdom and foresight that Jesus invites us to have, so that we make ‘life sustaining’ choices that will bring about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is a treasure so great that on discovering it, we would give up everything else just to possess it. But, too often in life, we lose focus and fail to seek the ‘pearl of great value’ because we feel that the price is too high, obtaining it is too tough. We make unwise choices and lose the opportunity to gain riches for eternity.

Let us pray, like Solomon, for the wisdom to recognise the true worth of the Kingdom of God. And when we do - when we fulfill our purpose for the love of God - He will cooperate with us so that we ultimately share in His glory.

Saints Joachim and Anne are the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus, and through their feast, today, we are invited to spend some time in thought and prayer to appreciate the role of Parents and Grandparents in our lives.

This feast is a reminder, too, to all parents of the influence that they wield in the lives of their children; for the children of today are the parents of tomorrow.

Let us pray together that the bond between generations may grow ever stronger – a bond forged by faith, love and time.