Mass Readings for July 15, 2023

Wisdom of Solomon 8:2-7,16-18
1 Corinthians 2:6-13
Psalms 16:5-9,11
Matthew 5:13-19

Wisdom of Solomon 8:2-7,16-18
(2) Her I loved and sought out from my youth, And I sought to take her for my bride, And I became enamoured of her beauty. (3) She glorifieth her noble birth in that it is given her to live with God, And the Sovereign Lord of all loved her. (4) For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, And she chooseth out for him his works. (5) But if riches are a desired possession in life, What is richer than wisdom, which works all things? (6) And if understanding works, Who more than wisdom is an architect of the things that are? (7) And if a man loves righteousness, The fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues, For she teaches soberness and understanding, righteousness and courage; And there is nothing in life for men more profitable than these. (16) When I am come into my house, I will find rest with her; For converse with her has no bitterness, And to live with her has no pain, but gladness and joy. (17) When I considered these things in myself, And took thought in my heart how that in kinship to wisdom is immortality, (18) And in her friendship is good delight, And in the labors of her hands is wealth that fails not, And in assiduous communing with her is understanding, And great renown in having fellowship with her words, I went about seeking how to take her to myself.

1 Corinthians 2:6-13
(6) We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing. (7) But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, (8) which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. (9) But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.” (10) But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11) For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. (12) But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

Psalms 16:5-9,11
(5) Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. (6) The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance. (7) I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. (8) I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. (11) You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

Matthew 5:13-19
(13) “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. (14) You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. (15) Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. (16) Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (17) “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. (18) For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. (19) Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.