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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

July 19, 2026

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Sows the Good Seed of God’s Kingdom”

 

 

(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(A moment of silence)

 

SONG: A suitable Eucharistic hymn or any other appropriate song may be sung.

 

INTRODUCTION

(Cf. Gregory Palamas in Journey with the Fathers, ed. Edith Barnecut, New York: New City Press, 1992, p. 108-109)

Those who wish to be saved from eternal punishment and to inherit the everlasting kingdom of God must not be darnel but wheat. They must avoid saying or doing anything evil or useless, and practice the opposite virtues, thus bringing forth the fruits of repentance. In this way they will become worthy of the heavenly granary; they will be called children of the Father Most High, and as heirs will enter his kingdom rejoicing, resplendent with divine glory. To this may we all attain through the grace and loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

SILENT ADORATION

OPENING PRAYER

 Leader: Loving Father,

the grace of your Kingdom works in an ineffable way

like the good seed sown in the field,

like the mustard seed that grows into a welcoming tree,

and like the good leaven that makes the dough rise.

We trust in the dynamic power of your Kingdom,

which moves towards its glorious fulfillment

on the day of the final harvest.

You treat us with patience and compassion

because you have dominion and care over everything

and because you truly love us.

May we truly cherish the gift of your Kingdom

and be imbued with its promise of fullness and fruitfulness.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Assembly: Amen.

 

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word 

 

FIRST READING: Wis 12:13, 16-19

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

SECOND READING: Rom 8:26-27

GOSPEL READING: Mt 13:24-43

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

The parable of the weeds among the wheat is an agricultural image used by Jesus to explain the lack of universal acceptance of his preaching and to suggest to his disciples the proper attitude concerning the people’s mixed reception to his saving ministry. Jesus’ parable also sheds light on the mystery of good and evil in the world and in the Church of all times. Moreover, it gives an insight into the perplexing human question that is born from despair and frustration: “Has Christianity failed?”

The biblical scholar, Eugene Maly comments: “When we realize that it was almost two thousand years ago that Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, redeemed the world, we might wonder what the redemption meant. War, crime, poverty, disease, and disasters continue to plague the human race. Where is the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached? Many responses have been offered. Perhaps the most quoted is that of G.K Chesterton, who said that Christianity has not failed; it just has never been tried. He meant that if enough people lived the Gospel message in its fullness, the difference would be for all to see … Still others say that no matter how powerful, how revolutionary, how radical the message of Christianity is, it will never force the human heart. God wants freedom above all, and that means freedom even to reject his greatest offer of freedom, the freedom of the children of God. If everyone were forced by God’s grace to be another Mother Teresa of Calcutta, there would soon be no one to whom a free and authentic Mother Teresa could minister. The Gospel reading also tells us something about the question … The Kingdom works in a mysterious way, in a way that the human mind cannot comprehend.”

 

SONG: A Eucharistic hymn, a song of praise, or another fitting song may be sung.

  

Part II

JESUS MASTER WAY

Confrontation with the Word 

 

POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART

What is our attitude toward the presence of good and evil in this world? Do we imitate the patient and benevolent tolerance of God who graciously provides opportunities for healing and conversion to all? Do we accept our humble beginning as a mustard seed and look forward to our grandiose destiny in the fullness of that Kingdom? How do we utilize the power of God given to us believers that we may be a leaven of transformation in today’s society? How does the reality of the eschatological harvest and final judgment impinge upon our feelings, thoughts and actions in daily life? Are we ready to be reaped as God’s wheat and gathered into his barn?

 

PRAYING WITH THE WORD

Loving Father,

You temper justice with kindness

and offer us the gift of conversion.

Thank you for the grace of forgiveness

and the chance to grow in your love.

When the final reaping comes,

may we become a part of the fruitful harvest of the Spirit

and be gathered together

into your eternal kingdom of love, justice and peace.

You live and reign, forever and ever.

Amen.

 

SONG: A Eucharistic hymn, a song of praise, or another fitting song may be sung.

 

Part III

JESUS LIFE

Acting upon the Word  

 

PERSONAL PRAYER

CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Rosary’s Glorious Mysteries may be prayed in part or in full.

 

THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION 

Leader: Trusting in the Lord’s providential care for his faithful disciples, let us turn to him in prayer and say:

(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of July: for respect for human life. Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God. We pray: (R.)

2. That those who are overwhelmed by the existence of evil in this world may trust in the saving power of Jesus, the Sower of God’s kingdom, and look forward to their vindication at the final “reaping”. We pray:  (R.)

3. That we may daily incarnate the spirit of divine goodness through compassionate acts of mercy to the poor, the lonely, and the marginalized. We pray: (R.)

4. That the homeless and unemployed and all those who are experiencing the ill effects of today’s economic downturn may find strength in the consolation and intercession of the Holy Spirit and that we may fully participate in the ministry of intercession of the Holy Spirit and derive full benefits from it. We pray:  (R.)

5. That the sick may rise from their bed of pain; that those shackled by drug and substance abuse may be liberated; that the suffering people in war-torn countries may experience the balm of peace; that the drought-stricken lands may be refreshed with life-giving waters; and that the youth of today may be instruments of God’s compassion and justice. We pray: (R,)

(Other prayers may be added.)

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER

(Cf. Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm Prayer after Psalm 126, Wednesday – Evening Prayer, Week III)

Leader: Lord, you have raised us from the earth;

may you let the seeds of justice, which we have sown in tears,

grow and increase in your sight.

May we reap in joy the harvest we hope for patiently.

You live and reign forever and ever.

Assembly: Amen.

 

FINAL SONG: A Eucharistic hymn, a song of praise, or another fitting song may be sung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

July 26, 2026

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR GRANDPARENTS

AND THE ELDERLY

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Is the Hidden Treasure in the Field and the Pearl of Great Price”

 

 

(+) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(A moment of silence)

 

SONG: A suitable Eucharistic hymn or any other appropriate song may be sung.

 

WORDS OF THE CHURCH FATHER, ORIGEN           

To the seeker after fine pearls may be applied the words, Seek and you will find, and, Everyone who seeks will find. If you ask what is to be sought, and what will be found by everyone who seeks for it, I say with all confidence: pearls – especially that pearl which will be acquired by those who give their all, who sacrifice everything for it, the pearl Paul meant when he said: I have accepted the loss of everything in order to gain Christ. Everything means beautiful pearls; to gain Christ refers to the one pearl of great price.

 

SILENT ADORATION

OPENING PRAYER

Leader: God our Father and protector,

without you nothing is holy,

nothing has value.

Guide us to everlasting life

by helping us to use wisely

the blessings you have given to the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever.

Assembly: Amen.

 

Part I

JESUS MASTER TRUTH

Listening to the Word 

 

FIRST READING: I Kgs 3:5, 7-12

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

SECOND READING: Rom 8:28-30

GOSPEL READING: Mt 13:44-52

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

Jesus continues to speak in parables. In the parables of the treasure in the field and the precious pearl (Mt 13:44-46) and in the parable of the dragnet (Mt 13:47-50), he teaches us the meaning of the kingdom of heaven. The twin parables of the treasure in the field and the precious pearl underline the absolute, incomparable values of God’s kingdom, the joy that it brings, the total commitment that it deserves and the overriding zeal with which it must be pursued. The remarkable response of the treasure finder and the pearl merchant is decisive, total and absolute. Indeed, the kingdom of heaven is a treasure beyond price and demands renunciation and sacrifice in order to acquire it.

The parable of the fishing net thrown into the sea reminds us that the coming of God’s kingdom includes a final judgment in which the good and the bad will be separated definitively and receive their fitting reward and punishment. This parable highlights the presence of both good and evil in the Church and in the world. It seeks to instill in us patience and tolerance, which flow from a discerning heart, until the day of final judgment.

 

SONG: A Eucharistic hymn, a song of praise, or another fitting song may be sung.

 

Part II

JESUS MASTER WAY

Confrontation with the Word 

 

POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART

Do I seek and pursue the heavenly kingdom as the “hidden treasure in the field” and as the “pearl of great price”? Have I allowed myself to be instructed in the kingdom of heaven that like the head of a household, I am able to bring forth from the storeroom both the new and the old? How do I proclaim the treasures of the Gospel in the challenging reality of today’s situation?

 

PRAYING WITH THE WORD

 Leader: Loving Father,

you have prepared for us the astounding treasure of the kingdom of heaven

and have given us the incomparable gift, Jesus Christ,

the ultimate pearl of great price.

Grant that we may open ourselves humbly and totally

to the kingdom value and the love of Jesus Christ.

Give us a discerning heart

that, in our life of discipleship,

we may be like the intelligent scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven

and the head of the household

who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.

We adore you, Father,

and we give you praise

for your radically new act of saving love in your Son, Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. 

Assembly: Amen.

 

SONG: A Eucharistic hymn, a song of praise, or another fitting song may be sung.

 

Part III

JESUS LIFE

Acting upon the Word  

 

PERSONAL PRAYER 

CONTEMPLATING WITH MARY THE FACE OF CHRIST: The Rosary’s Glorious Mysteries may be prayed in part or in full.

 

THE WAY OF SOLIDARITY: PRAYER OF INTERCESSION 

Leader: Trusting in the Lord’s providential care for his faithful disciples, let us turn to him in prayer and say:

(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1. For the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of July: for respect for human life. Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God. We pray: (R.)

2. That as we celebrate today the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly on the theme “I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU”, we may recognize in them “a precious presence and a blessing”; that we may honor and love them even in their frailty; and that we may be close to them especially those who may feel lonely and forgotten. We pray: (R.)

3. That we may have a discerning heart that will enable us to find the “hidden treasure in the field” and the “pearl of great price” and thus commit ourselves fully to pursue God’s kingdom. We pray:  (R.)

4. That the daily life of Christian followers may be guided by a “wise and understanding heart” and that those who live by divine wisdom may triumph over evil and adversities and humbly promote the common good. We pray: (R.)

5. That in moments of trials and afflictions, we may be assured that all things work for good for those who love God and, called to be conformed to the image of his Son, we may rejoice in our human dignity and be strengthened by the hope of eternal glory. We pray: (R.)

6. That the victims of various tragedies may find eternal joy in the bosom of our loving God and that the sacrifice of their innocent lives my bring forth peace and reconciliation in our troubled world; that the vicious cycle of violence in warring nations may be dispelled by the spirit of brotherhood and compassion; that we may have the courage to be peaceful and the grace to be channels of God’s loving mercy. We pray: (R,)

(Other prayers may be added.)

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Leader: Lord,

help your people to seek you with all their hearts

and to deserve what you promise.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Assembly: Amen.

 

FINAL SONG: A Eucharistic hymn, a song of praise, or another fitting song may be sung.

 

 

 

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Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang, PDDM

 

 

PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI

SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER

3700 North Cornelia Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722 (USA)

Tel (559) 275-1656