Mass Readings

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.”

Responsorial Psalm – Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 (R.97a)

R. 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.

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.

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

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

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 or Mt 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 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.”

Featured Saints

St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church(†c. 450). Born in Imola, Italy, he became Bishop of Ravenna, and was known as Chrysologus – “Word of Gold” – for his great eloquence, especially noted in his homilies.

St. Leopold Mandić, priest (†1942). Capuchin religious who dedicated most of his life to administering the Sacrament of Confession in Padua, Italy.

Blessed Mannes de Guzman, priest (†c. 1235). Brother of St. Dominic and his collaborator in the expansion of the Order of Preachers, particularly in the cities of Paris and Madrid. He attended his brother’s canonization in Rome, in July of 1234.

Blessed Zózimo Izquierdo Gil, priest and martyr (†1936). Arrested during the Spanish Civil War; while incarcerated he heard the confessions of prisoners and prayed the Rosary with them.

Sts. Maxima, Donatilla and Secunda, virgins and martyrs (†304). Put to death in present day Tunisia during the persecutions of Valerian and Gallienus, for refusing to burn incense before idols.

St. Mary of the Sacramental Jesus Venegas da Torre, virgin (†1959). Mexican nun and foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She spent 54 years caring for the poor sick in a small infirmary.

Blessed Maria Vicenta of St. Dorothy Chávez Orozco, virgin (†1949). Founded the Institute of the Servants of the Blessed Trinity and the Poor in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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Saints of July 30

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