Reading 1 1 Kings 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, kingto 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 heartto 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 understandingthat there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you."  Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.I have said, O LORD, that my partis to keep your words.The law of your mouth is to me more preciousthan thousands of gold and silver pieces.R. Lord, I love your commands.Let your kindness comfort meaccording 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 commandsmore 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 Romans 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 predestinedto be conformed to the image of his Son,so that he might be the firstbornamong 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. Matthew 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 Matthew 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 merchantsearching 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 ashoreand 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 righteousand 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 heavenis like the head of a householdwho brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."   or Matthew 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 merchantsearching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price,he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."  - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 R. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Alleluia See John 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia. I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Matthew 20:20-28 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."   - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1  Jeremiah 3:14-17 Return, rebellious children, says the LORD,for I am your Master;I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,and bring you to Zion.I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart,who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.When you multiply and become fruitful in the land,says the LORD,They will in those days no longer say,“The ark of the covenant of the LORD!”They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another.At that time they will call Jerusalem the LORD’s throne;there all nations will be gathered togetherto honor the name of the LORD at Jerusalem,and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness. Responsorial Psalm  Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13 R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,proclaim it on distant isles, and say:He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,he guards them as a shepherd his flock. R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.The LORD shall ransom Jacob,he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings:The grain, the wine, and the oil,the sheep and the oxen.R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,and young men and old as well.I will turn their mourning into joy,I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. Alleluia  Luke 8:15 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heartand yield a harvest through perseverance.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  Matthew 13:18-23 Jesus said to his disciples:“Hear the parable of the sower.The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdomwithout understanding it,and the Evil One comes and steals awaywhat was sown in his heart.The seed sown on rocky groundis the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.But he has no root and lasts only for a time.When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,he immediately falls away.The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the wordand it bears no fruit.But the seed sown on rich soilis the one who hears the word and understands it,who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1  Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 This word of the LORD came to me:Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!I remember the devotion of your youth,how you loved me as a bride,Following me in the desert,in a land unsown.Sacred to the LORD was Israel,the first fruits of his harvest;Should any presume to partake of them,evil would befall them, says the LORD.When I brought you into the garden land to eat its goodly fruits,You entered and defiled my land,you made my heritage loathsome.The priests asked not,“Where is the LORD?”Those who dealt with the law knew me not:the shepherds rebelled against me.The prophets prophesied by Baal,and went after useless idols.Be amazed at this, O heavens,and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.Two evils have my people done:they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;They have dug themselves cisterns,broken cisterns, that hold no water. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 36:6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11 R. (10a) With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.O LORD, your mercy reaches to heaven;your faithfulness, to the clouds.Your justice is like the mountains of God;your judgments, like the mighty deep.R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.How precious is your mercy, O God!The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings.They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house;from your delightful stream you give them to drink.R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.For with you is the fountain of life,and in your light we see light.Keep up your mercy toward your friends,your just defense of the upright of heart.R. With you is the fountain of life, O Lord. Alleluia  Matthew 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  Matthew 13:10-17 The disciples approached Jesus and said,“Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?”He said to them in reply,“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heavenhas been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.This is why I speak to them in parables, becausethey look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:You shall indeed hear but not understand,you shall indeed look but never see.Gross is the heart of this people,they will hardly hear with their ears,they have closed their eyes,lest they see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their hearts and be convertedand I heal them.“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,and your ears, because they hear.Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous peoplelonged to see what you see but did not see it,and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”  Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.