17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Sunday July 30, 2023
Mass Readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- First Reading – 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12: “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 – Psalm 119: “Lord, I love your commands.”
- Second Reading – Romans 8:28-30: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
- Gospel – Matthew 13:44-52: “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.”
Themes for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A are about the wisdom of God which is very different from the wisdom of the world. The first reading recalls how Solomon requested the gift of understanding instead of material goods or power. The psalm reminds us that God’s commands are more precious than gold. The second reading tells us to work for God’s purpose. And in the gospel Jesus gives us more parables related to the Kingdom of God, including the treasure in the field, the pearl of great price, and treasures new and old.
- What is important to us
- Putting God first
- Rejecting worldly values
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
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Resources for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
All In! A Lesson Plan on Risking It All
This lesson plan encourages us to think about what we are willing to risk as disciples. Jesus often challenged people about their values. The Pearl of Great Price and the Treasure are parables about what is important to us and to our Heavenly Father.
Buried Treasure Game
Buried Treasure is a fun game for all ages. It works well for Vacation Bible School or youth ministry. Everyone enjoys playing in a sandbox! For older players, use smaller treasures to make them more difficult to find.
Treasure Hunt Game
Treasure Hunt is a really easy activity to do either indoors or outdoors. It is a better option for a meeting room than the buried treasure game. And your older VBS or youth ministry students will enjoy it as much as the younger ones.
Homilies and Reflections for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
What Do You Want?
From Bishop Robert Barron. Our first reading for this week is from the first book of Kings, and it has to do with Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, the great Israelite king who built the temple, and who eventually became a problematic figure in Israelite history. This passage puts us right at the very beginning of Solomon’s reign, when he was just a young man—untried, inexperienced, likely beset by all sorts of self-doubt. And Yahweh appears to Solomon in a dream and says, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” This is an extraordinary moment—and let’s attend with some care to Solomon’s answer.
The Kingdom of God
Jeff Cavins discusses what it means to be really obsessed with something. What grabs your heart?
Treasures of the Kingdom
From Scott Hahn.
What is your new life in Christ worth to you? Do you love His words more than gold and silver, as we sing in today’s Psalm? Would you, like the characters in the Gospel today, sell all that you have in order to possess the kingdom He promises to us?
All Things Work Together for Good
Also from Bishop Barron. Our second reading for this weekend is taken from the end of the eighth chapter of Paul’s magnificent letter to the Romans. In this great book of the Bible, we learn that in Christ, God has disclosed his providential plan whereby he intends to reconcile all things to himself. I don’t know about you, but those words always give me comfort and peace.
More Thoughts for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Wisdom for Leaders
Solomon provides an example for all who are in leadership roles, whether in the Church, in politics, in schools, or in communities. Solomon recognizes that leadership is an act of service and sacrifice.
So when God asks this young leader what he wants, he does not ask for something to make himself more comfortable. Instead he asks for wisdom, which will benefit all of the people he will rule. A good leader is more concerned with others than himself. We should pray for all of our leaders to recognize and live this.
Reflection Questions for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- Do I see leadership as a place of privilege or a place of service?
- Do I base my decisions on what is good for me or what meets the needs of the common good?
- How can I help those around me develop leadership skills?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
The Kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of the superfluous things the world offers, the opposite of a dull life: it is a treasure that renews everyday life and leads it to extend towards wider horizons.
Pope Francis
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