First Reading
First reading
Reading from the First Book of Kings
1 Kings 3, 5. 7-12
In those days, the Lord appeared to King Solomon in a dream and said to him: «Solomon, ask me what you want, and I will give it to you.»
Solomon answered: «Lord, you showed mercy to your servant David, my father, because he dealt with you with loyalty, justice, and uprightness of heart. Moreover, you continue to show him mercy even now, for you have made one of his sons succeed him on the throne. Yes, Lord my God, you willed that I, your servant, should succeed my father David on the throne. But I am only a youth and do not know how to act. I am your servant, and I find myself lost in the midst of this people of yours, so numerous that it is impossible to count them. Therefore, I ask you to grant me wisdom of heart so that I may know how to govern your people and distinguish between good and evil. For without it, who would be able to govern this great people of yours?»
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom, and he said to him: «Because you have asked for this, and not for a long life, nor riches, nor the death of your enemies, but for wisdom to govern, I grant you what you have asked. I give you a wise and prudent heart, such as has never been before nor will be after you. I will also grant you what you have not asked for: such glory and wealth that no king will be able to compare with you.»
Second reading
Reading from the Letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to the Romans
Romans 8, 28-30
Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who have been called according to his saving purpose.
Indeed, those whom 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; those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
Gospel
Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew
Matthew 13, 44-52
At that time, Jesus said to the crowd: «The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The one who finds it hides it again, and full of joy, goes and sells all he has and buys that field.
The Kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant in search of fine pearls who, upon finding one of great value, goes and sells all he has and buys it.
The Kingdom of heaven is also like a net that fishermen cast into the sea and gather all kinds of fish. When the net is full, the fishermen haul it ashore and sit down to sort the fish; they put the good ones into baskets and throw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Have you understood all this?» They answered: «Yes.» Then he said to them: «Therefore, every scribe who has been instructed in the things of the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.»