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First Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-13
Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,
because that was the most renowned high place.
Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In Gibeon 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:
"You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David,
because he behaved faithfully toward you,
with justice and an upright heart;
and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today,
seating a son of his on his throne.
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.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like."
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
How shall a young man be faultless in his way?
By keeping to your words.
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
Lord, teach me your statutes.
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R./ Lord, teach me your statutes.
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
Opening Prayer
All wise and loving God,
grant that we may always seek
the things that really matter:
light for our consciences,
understanding and love for people,
loyalty to your will
and concern for your kingdom.
Let all these be inspired
by the Gospel and the life
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
First Reading Introduction
As a young and inexperienced king, Solomon prays to the Lord for practical wisdom in leading his people and dispensing justice. His people is after all God's people. Moved by Solomon's unselfish request, God promises him not only wisdom but riches and glory as well.
Gospel Introduction
What a pity if our world would become so heartless as to do away with compassion? We hear in today's Good News that God shows in Jesus that he cares for us with a love deeper and more tender than that of a mother for the child to which she had given life. He is particularly close to those who need him most: the weak, those who suffer, the abandoned, and those who count for nothing. That is the love he showed us in Jesus; that is the love he invites us to have for one another: deep, tender, lasting, and not afraid of showing itself.
General Intercessions
– Lord, give us the wisdom to trust in you, for you know where you lead us, we pray:
– Lord, pour out on us your Holy Spirit of wisdom, that we may see what you expect of us and have the courage to do it, we pray:
– Lord, give us the wisdom of accepting the cross, to let us grow as human beings and Christians, so that we can really learn from Jesus to put ourselves in the service of others, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
to be wise with your wisdom
we have to accept you on your own terms
and to abandon our own limited insights.
We celebrate in this bread and wine
what is foolish to the world:
the wisdom of the cross of your Son.
Confirm our faith in Jesus,
that is, in the surprising presence of you, our God,
who became one of us in our weakness,
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God,
you turn our thinking upside down.
With you, suffering leads to joy,
awareness of our poverty of heart
opens us to your gifts;
our weakness attracts your strength.
Accept our thanks for our faith
in which all this makes sense
and thank you for him
who taught us this wisdom
by his word, example and his nourishing bread,
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Wisdom we all seek, but God's wisdom goes much deeper than our human wisdom, though it comprises it and enriches it very much with aspects we could not find by ourselves, like the wisdom of the cross. May God give you his wisdom and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
