Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What Do We Treasure Most?; For What Do I Risk Everything?
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
Greeting (See Second Reading)
God chose us especially long ago
and destined us to become true images of his Son,
so that Jesus might be the eldest
of many brothers and sisters.
May our brother Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
1. What Do We Treasure Most?
To understand what is most precious to you, do not think of your usual concerns and cravings, for they are on the surface of things. Think of a moment of crisis in your life, when you have to choose the only thing that counts. What is it? You, things you have, or the Lord? Do you have the courage to make the right choice? Ask the Lord to let you choose him and his kingdom. All the rest does not count.
2. For What Do I Risk Everything?
People often dream of finding a treasure or winning the first prize in the state lottery. The message of today asks us: to you, Christian, is your faith, your Christian living, your closeness to God the treasure of your life? Are you willing to risk everything for this treasure? God’s kingdom, the gospel, our faith are the pearl and the treasure that we have to find and keep. Let the Lord make you rich with these.
Penitential Act
We ask now the Lord to forgive us
that too often our hearts were not fixed on him
but rather on ourselves, on possessions and power.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, you have brought us the treasure
of the love of the Father:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, by your death
you have won for us the treasure
of forgiveness and life:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have left us in the Eucharist
the treasure of your presence and strength:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Lord, in your immense kindness
Forgive us all our sins.
Lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
for discerning hearts
our heart remains restless
until it has discovered the peace you offer us
in your Son Jesus Christ.
Help us to put our trust and joy
not in brittle, perishable things
but in your Son, his Good News
and the kingdom he came to build among us.
Make us poor and receptive,
give each of us an attentive and wise heart
that keeps seeking until we have found you
in Jesus and in people,
and love you and rest in you.
First Reading
God’s Treasure of Wisdom: Those who seek the wisdom to discriminate between right and wrong and to do God’s will as the highest gifts are blessed by God. This was Solomon’s experience.
It was in Gibeon, during the night, that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said: “Ask what you want me to give you.”
And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David, my father, although I am a young boy who does not know how to undertake anything.
Meantime, your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen—a people so great that they can neither be numbered nor counted.
Give me an understanding mind in governing your people so that I may discern between good and evil. For who can govern this multitude of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had made this request.
And he told him: “Because you have requested this rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies; indeed, because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
I shall grant you your request. I now give you a wise and discerning mind like no one has had before you, nor anyone after you shall ever have.
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 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 commands
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.
Second Reading
God’s Wise Plan with Man: On God’s initiative, we are called to be his sons and daughters. Those who respond to this call will be glorified with Jesus, whose image they are.
The Love of God
We know that in everything, God works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called according to his plan.
Those he knew beforehand, he also predestined to be like his Son, so that he may be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
And so, those whom God predestined, he called; and those he called, he makes righteous; and to those he makes righteous, he will give his glory.
Alleluia Verse
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
God’s Kingdom is the Most Precious Treasure: God’s kingdom is worth more than anything else in the world. We should be ready to give up everything else for its sake.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure
The kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure in a field. The person who finds it buries it again, and so happy is he that he sells everything he has to buy that field.
Parable of the Fine Pearl
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader searching for fine pearls.
Once he finds a pearl of exceptional quality, he leaves, sells everything he has, and buys it.
Parable of the Net
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large fishing net lowered into the sea, catching all kinds of fish.
When the net is full, they pull it ashore. Then they sit down and separate the good fish into buckets, tossing away the bad ones.
That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just
and cast the wicked into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth.
The New and the Old
Jesus asked:
“Have you understood all these things?”
“Yes,” they replied.
So he said to them:
“Therefore, every teacher of the law who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who can produce from his store things both new and old.”
Prayers of the Faithful
The ministry entrusted to us, the Church, is to pray for everyone and all, that they may discover the treasure of faith. Let us say: R/ Lord, hear your people.
– For all Christians, that they may hold dear their faith and their life in Christ and keep living up to their convictions, let us pray to the Lord: R/ Lord, hear your people.
– For people everywhere, that they may open their eyes and their hearts to the Good News of Jesus Christ, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
– For the leaders of nations, that as they work for prosperity and progress they may not lose sight of what is essential, that is: people, and the deepest human values, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
– For those who are rich in possessions and talents, that they may put their gifts and goods at the service of people, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
– For the sick and the poor among us, that they may discover in the loving care of people something of the goodness of God himself, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
– For our young people, that their parents and the Church may hand on to them their living faith and the spirit to serve God and people well, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
Lord, we thank you that in you we have found the treasure that makes our life worthwhile. Keep us in your love, now and forever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
create between you and us
a holy communion of love.
Come among us in Jesus Christ
in this Eucharist and in daily life.
Reign in us, take possession of us
to rule and forgive,
to sanctify and enlighten,
to lead us and to renew us by your grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, we give thanks to the Father for the treasure he has given us in our faith and the pearl of his kingdom.
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
With Jesus our Lord
we pray first of all to our Father in heaven
that his kingdom come
and that we may do his will. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from our concentration
on material needs and security
and make us truly concerned
to seek always your will
and to work for the coming of your kingdom.
Keep us free from discouragement
when your justice and truth are slow in coming,
and keep alive our joyful hope
that one day we shall see
the full coming among us
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God,
whose image we are called to become.
Happy are we to be invited
to eat his bread of life
and to share in his glory. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
in this Eucharistic celebration
you have given us again your own Son.
Let him nourish in us
the growth of your kingdom.
May he open our eyes to the goodness
and yet the relative value
of the things of this earth
May he help us realize
that our human personality and existence
are nothing else than the concrete manner
in which we respond to your call
and build up your kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
At the end of this celebration
perhaps the answer has become clearer
what it is that really matters in our life.
Where do our real and lasting joy lie?
Is it in God, his kingdom,
in the love and mercy he shows us in Christ?
We know it is a joy for him
that we are here as his people.
May he be our joy and treasure too, now and always.
May Almighty God bless you and bring you happiness,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let us go in the peace and the joy of the Lord.
R/ Thanks be to God.
REFLECTIONS
Matthew 13:44-52
Gospel- the most valuable treasure
Parables of the hidden treasure and pearl of great price in today's Gospel teach us about the incomparable value of Wisdom. Both parables illustrate that finding the Kingdom of Heaven demands a single-hearted response. Both men didn't bargain over the price when they found their treasure. Neither did they complain about the cost of their purchases. Instead, whatever expenses, sacrifices, and leaps of faith they made were insignificant compared to what they gained. Those actions would have been considered foolish by the world.
The first parable shows a man accidentally discovering a treasure in the field he is working in. He hides it again, goes to sell everything he has and buys that field. He was not just trying to purchase the treasure he discovered but the whole field. He was quick to intuit that an immense wealth could be hidden under the soil. He did not want to lose even a crumb, so he decided to buy the whole field.
The treasure which Jesus speaks about is the kingdom of heaven. Only those who agree to accept the proposals of the Beatitudes will discover the wealth hidden underneath. In Jesus' parable, this treasure is found by chance, indicating its gratuity. God offers it freely to people. If one hesitates, he loses precious time, a favourable opportunity may pass and not come again. The decision must be taken urgently; the choice cannot be delayed.
The merchant who searches for precious pearls represents all those who seek the wisdom of the Gospel. Just as a pearl adds beauty to the one who wears it, the pearl of wisdom adds beauty to those who possess it. Jesus tells us in the parable of the pearl merchant that the only way to happiness is adherence to the priceless pearl - the wisdom of the Gospel. And you must decide immediately if you wish to be beautiful and happy.
The parable of the net cast into the sea, which gathers fish of all kinds, represents the life of all people who contain both good and bad traits. When Jesus began his public ministry, he asked his apostles to become 'fishers of men'. But not everything is good in these fishes. We all have a dead part of ourselves, a rotten part of our lives, because we have consented to the impulses of paganism within us.
And then there is a beautiful part of life, built when we listen and follow the promptings of the Spirit, the voice of the Son of God who is in us. The Gospel parables today invite us to search for the treasure that makes us beautiful; whatever is rotten and filthy will be burned up in the fire of God's love.