SUNDAY JULY 26, 2026 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
1st Reading: (1 Kings 3:5.7-12)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Ps 119:57 and 72.76-77.127-128. 129-130 (R. 97a)
2nd Reading: (Romans 8:28-30)
Gospel: (Matthew 13:44-52)
My reflection from today's second reading
In today's second reading, St. Paul gives us a powerful assurance "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him." This does not mean that everything we experience is good. We will still face disappointments, pain, delays, and trials. However, it means that God is able to use every situation, whether joyful or difficult, to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
The lives of many people in the Bible reflect this truth. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, yet God used those painful experiences to save many lives and fulfill His promise. Likewise, Jesus's suffering on the cross, which seemed like defeat, became the greatest victory for the salvation of humanity.
St. Paul also reminds us that God has called us to be conformed to the image of His Son. This means that our lives are not shaped by chance but by God's loving purpose. Every experience, if entrusted to Him, can draw us closer to becoming more like Christ.
When life becomes uncertain, let us remember that God never wastes our struggles. Even when we cannot understand His plans, we can trust His heart, knowing that He is always working for the good of those who love Him.
May the Lord strengthen our faith to trust Him in every season, help us remain faithful to His call, and shape our lives more and more into the image of His Son. Amen 🙏
Immaculata Emmanuel
My reflection from the reading is this, what are the thoughts in your heart? Are they pure? Holy? Acceptable in the sight of God? From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What do you nurture in your heart? Solomon was made a king, I believe that the thoughts in his heart were how to govern the people at his age, there were both young and old, I think he pondered this in his heart and that is why when God asked him to ask whatever he wanted he asked for the thing in his heart that he wanted the most, God seeing his heart was pleased with him, God sees the heart, he knows each and everyone of us and sees the thoughts in our hearts, guide your heart and your mind, examine what you think about, it starts from little until it grows, everything we become is as a result of what we nurture in our hearts, above all, make God the center of your life, always ask Jesus to make your heart like his own and you'll see what the thoughts in your hearts are. Always submit and surrender everything to Jesus, it can be very difficult especially when you are facing difficulties but guide your mind and surrender everything to God like Solomon and you'll see God's manifestations in your life.
Like the psalmist says, our sole purpose in life is to live and die in God, the catechism of the church says that God made us to know him, love him and serve him in this life and to be happy with him forever in the next. When we surrender everything to God and live for God then you'll be able to say like the psalmist "Lord, how I love your law". It takes a deeper and personal encounter with God to be able to say to be happy and joyously seek to know the laws of God and keep to it despite everything, when you have a personal encounter with God, you'll have great joy in serving God and you'll see that the decrees of God are wonderful indeed.
In the second reading, Saint Paul still pointed it out that before we were formed in the womb, God knows us, he has already predestined us in his image. He knows what each of our missions are, when we submit to the will of God for us, he will glorify us, when we surrender ourselves to God, he takes over, you just have to say "Jesus take the wheel" then sit back and watch him take it, he'll always give us the grace for that which he has called us to be and do.
And in the gospel, we see how beautiful it is to serve God, when we serve God in spirit and in truth, when we surrender everything to God and choose all for God, when we join our voices like the saints to say "All for You, Jesus. All through You. All with You. All for the glory of God" Then we store up great treasures in heaven, knowing and loving God and surrendering everything to God is us storing up treasures in heaven, at the end of our lives, we will be accountable to God, when we stand at the judgement throne, are we going to receive the words of Jesus that says "welcome my worthy and faithful servant to the eternal glory" or it'll be "depart from me for I know you not".
Igbinazaka Angela
I am always thrilled by the response King Solomon gave to God because for me I would rather ask for long life and prosperity, but todays reading is a reminder of the kind of prayer intentions I should present before God so that I do not loose out in bigger benefits for immediate wants that will not last.
This can be likened with the priceless treasures Jesus compared the kingdom in the gospel reading which are more valuable than anything I can ever have in life. I am therefore reminded to learn to be good so at the close of age I will not be thrown away with the bad ones by training myself for the kingdom of heaven.
Awotoye Adeola Matthew
My Reflection
The Gospel presents three powerful images that invite us to examine what truly matters in our lives.
The hidden treasure and the pearl of great price remind us that the Kingdom of God is worth more than anything this world can offer. The men in both parables gave up everything, not because they were forced to, but because they recognized they had found something of incomparable value. Following Christ sometimes requires sacrifice giving up sinful habits, selfish ambitions, or unhealthy attachments but whatever we surrender can never compare with the joy, peace, and eternal life found in Him.
The parable of the net reminds us that God's invitation is open to everyone, but there will come a day of judgment when each person will give an account of his or her life. This is not meant to make us live in fear, but to encourage us to live faithfully, choosing righteousness each day and remaining steadfast in our relationship with God.
Finally, Jesus speaks about the scribe trained for the Kingdom, who brings out treasures both old and new. As Christians, we are called not only to receive God's Word but also to share it wisely, drawing from the timeless truths of Scripture while applying them to the realities of today. Our faith should continually grow and bear fruit in our words and actions.
My reflection from today first reading 🌹
Today’s first reading was about King Solomon, who did not ask God for riches, long life, or power over his enemies. Instead, he humbly asked for wisdom so he could lead God’s people with understanding. This teaches me that true greatness begins with humility and a sincere desire to do God’s will.
One challenge of trying to be like Solomon is that we often pray more for material things than for wisdom. Another challenge is remaining humble after God blesses us. We also struggle to make wise decisions when emotions, pride, or worldly distractions take over. Like Solomon, we must learn to seek God’s guidance before acting.
The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the true source of wisdom. He calls us not only to hear God’s word but to live it every day through love, forgiveness, obedience, and faithfulness. Following Christ is the greatest wisdom we can ever possess.
The hidden blessing in today’s readings is that when we sincerely ask God for wisdom with a humble heart, He gives us much more than we expect. His wisdom brings peace, right judgment, and strength to face life’s challenges. May I always seek God first, trust His direction, and allow His wisdom to guide every step of my life. Amen. 🙏🌹
My Reflection
The first reading really strikes me as it talks about Wisdom.God is happy with us when we seek wisdom that comes from God.When we seek a discerning spirit to know what is right and wrong,what is good and evil. This is a sign to us a direction on what we should consistently seek for and pray for.God wants us to follow the example of Solomon ask for Wisdom to discern what is right and wrong.
