Liturgy, Liturgy Notes, Liturgy Planner, Sunday Prep, Planning for Mass
Liturgy Notes, Liturgy Planner, Sunday Prep, Planning for Mass
July 26, 2026
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July 26, 2026
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17th Sunday of Year A
July 26, 2026
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Hidden in the field
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July 26, 2026
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July 26, 2026
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The Ultimate Algorithm: Wisdom, Purpose, and the Hidden Kingdom
While AI processes data efficiently, it lacks a “heart.” Solomon’s request reminds us that true wisdom is a non-programmable, spiritual gift. Furthermore, God’s providence redemptively integrates our flaws rather than rigidly predicting outcomes. Ultimately, the Kingdom of God represents the ultimate value—a “pearl of great price”—evaluated not by cold algorithms, but by perfect divine mercy.
Fr. Vincent Hawkswell | Archive
Discerning Between Good and Evil (2023)
Fr. George Corrigan, OFM
Treasure, Pearls and Other Parables
Treasure and Pearls
Treasure and Pearls: Two Parables
The Net Cast Widely
Msgr. Joseph Pellegrino (PDF) | Archive
Wisdom, Predestination and the Christian Life
Fr. Tommy Lane | Archive
Jesus and Mary our treasure 2023
God turns everything to good for those who love him 2011
Jesus is our treasure
Homilies on turning everything to good
Fr. Michael Fallon, MSC | Archive
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (PDF)
Bulletin Inserts
First Reading | Second Reading | Gospel
July 26, 2026
Liturgy Notes
17th Sunday of Year A
Transforming Wisdom:
The Liturgy and the Kingdom of God
The Contrast of Wisdom
Today’s readings place before us the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Solomon asks God for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” The psalm continues the contrast, speaking of loving God’s commands more than gold.
Paul does not use the word “understanding” or “wisdom,” but he says, “For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Such conformity to the Son certainly involves living by God’s wisdom.
In the Gospel, Jesus compares the kingdom to a pearl and a treasure, worth seeking at all costs. That’s another strong statement that God’s way is better than what the world values.
The Purpose of Gathering
So what does all this have to do with liturgy? We might ask ourselves just why we gather for worship. It is an expectation and a commandment, though that seems to motivate fewer people these days. But, what is the liturgy supposed to do for us? What are we seeking when we come to church?
For some, of course, it’s just habit. For others, it is a comfort, a reassurance of God’s care. For some, no doubt, it’s insurance against eternal damnation. For some, it offers important social contact.
Advancing the Kingdom
But, the purpose of the liturgy should be the furtherance of the kingdom of God. That kingdom is not a political system or a nation. The kingdom exists wherever people align their minds and hearts and lives with God, whenever people allow God to reign. That’s what the liturgy invites us to do, cajoles us to accept, encourages us to embrace. The liturgy constantly nudges us to change. Isn’t that why we really gather — to let God change us, make us better, conform us more fully to the image of Christ?
The Power of the Word
And how does the liturgy do it? There are many ways. Certainly, the proclamation and preaching of the word of God is crucial. It calls us, challenges us, comforts us and encourages us. That’s why planners should be ever vigilant to make sure lectors are well-trained and well-prepared each week. It’s why preachers need to devote significant time each week to homily preparation. It’s why we need silence before and after each reading and homily so that the word has time to sink in.
Unity in Action
The actions that we do also shape us. Singing together unites us, sometimes in spite of ourselves, in one voice. Sharing Communion is all about unity with one another in Christ, which should be reflected in the Communion song and maintaining a common posture during the procession until all have received.
What other ways can you see the liturgy transforming you and your parish?
Full Series: Cycle A Resources
OCP Music
Entrance
In This Place (Trevor Thomson)
Spirit & Song #219; Never Too Young #18; Breaking Bread #308
In concert with the Entrance Antiphon, Trevor Thomson offers a gentle call to worship. “Our hearts and our spirits are nurtured by grace. It is Jesus who fills us. Here is here in this place.”
Response & Acclaim
Response & Acclaim
Lord, I Love Your Commands (PJ Anderson)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 256
PJ Anderson brings an edgy vibe to his verbatim psalm setting that will appeal to young musicians and the young at heart.
2026 PLAYLIST (152 VIDEOS)
Alleluia: Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 258
This acclamation verse has been repeated in the past several Sundays to serve as a reminder for us to open our hearts to God with the wonder of a child.
2026 PLAYLIST (152 VIDEOS)
Presentation & Preparation
Presentation and Preparation
Prayer of St. Augustine (Ken Canedo)
God pursues us! He never gave up on young Augustine, who finally understood and accepted God’s invitation to holiness. You will find the sheet music in the link above.
Communion
Communion
I Will Choose Christ (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #220; Never Too Young #261; Breaking Bread #514
God has first loved us! How do we respond?
THE COMMONS
Sending Forth
Sending Forth
Just Like You (Matt Maher)
Spirit & Song #322; Never Too Young #100
Today’s Gospel asks: What do you treasure? In this uplifting favorite, Matt Maher sings to God and expresses for all of us: “Like a burning fire, be my one desire. I want to be holy just like You…”
THE COMMONS
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
Video courtesy of Lector with Lisa
Delivery Blueprint & Pacing Control
Text Segment | Vocal Tone | Pacing & Ambo Actions |
"The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night." | Narrative, steady, engaging. | Ambo Action: Establish firm eye contact with the congregation before speaking. Pause briefly after "night." |
"God said: 'Ask something of me and I will give it to you.'" | Warm, inviting, deeply supportive. | Vocal Shift: Lower the pitch slightly to signify God's direct address. Emphasize "Ask" and "give." |
"Solomon answered: 'O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David;'" | Humble, prayerful, trembling. | Vocal Shift: Shift to Solomon's perspective. Drop volume slightly to convey deep reverence. |
"'...but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.'" | Vulnerable, raw trepidation. | Ambo Action: Drop your shoulders slightly to physically manifest Solomon’s self-professed inadequacy. Drop your voice to a hushed, honest tone. |
"'I serve you in the midst of a people you have chosen, a people so vast...'" | Overwhelmed, expansive. | Pacing: Stretch out the words "so vast" to convey the staggering scale of the kingdom. |
"'...that it cannot be numbered or counted.'" | Awe-struck, breathless. | Mandatory Pause: Count a full 3-second pause here. Allow the weight of Solomon's immense responsibility to settle over the room. |
"'Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong,'" | Pleading, earnest, intense focus. | Vocal Tone: Lean slightly toward the microphone. Soften the tone into a pure, heartfelt petition. |
"'...for who is able to govern this vast people of yours?'" | Defenseless, relying entirely on grace. | Mandatory Pause: Take a long, deliberate pause. Scan the room. Prepare the audience for the structural pivot in the text. |
"The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request." | Bright, celebratory, shifting tone. | Vocal Shift: Return to the narrator voice, but lift the energy. Let your face reflect God's complete satisfaction. |
"So God said to him: 'Because you have asked for this—'" | Strong, resonant, profoundly pleased. | Pacing: Slow down to carefully delineate what Solomon did not ask for. |
"'...not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies...'" | Contrastive, firm, deliberate. | Vocal Tone: Use a dismissive, lighter tone for "long life," "riches," and "enemies" to show how secondary they are to God's will. |
"'...but for understanding so that you may know what is right—'" | Rising inflection, climactic. | Pacing: Build anticipation. Lean into the word "understanding." |
"'...I do as you requested.'" | Immediate, powerful, definitive. | Vocal Shift: Emphasize the immediacy. This is happening right now, in the present tense. |
"'I give you a heart so wise and understanding...'" | Expansive, majestic, loving. | Ambo Action: Look up and make direct eye contact with the entire congregation as you deliver this promise. |
"'...that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.'" | Unmatched gravity, finality. | Pacing: Put heavy vocal weight on "to equal you." Let the finality of God's blessing ring clearly through the space. |
[Long Devotional Silence] | Complete stillness. | Mandatory Pause: Step back slightly from the ambo. Wait a full 4–5 seconds before announcing the closing formula. |
"The word of the Lord." | Firm, grounded, grateful. | Vocal Tone: Flatten expression into a standard, confident proclamation. |
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Courtesy of Greg Warnusz
Our Liturgical Setting: Today's gospel, Matthew 13:44-52, concludes a long series of parables about the reign of God. Summing them up, Jesus praises those who have listened carefully and understood. This praise of the wise in today's gospel seems to justify this choice of first reading. It's the famous story of Solomon's request for wisdom.
The Historical Situation: In the Hebrew Scriptures there is a large section of history divided, somewhat arbitrarily, into the books from Joshua to 2 Kings. The drama consistently goes like this: God is good to the people and asks only their fidelity; the people and their leaders (kings, priests and prophets) sin, usually by idolatry; God angrily punishes them, often through an enemy nation; the people suffer and ask forgiveness; God grants mercy and the cycle begins again. Today's reading tells of a spiritual high point in the life of King Solomon, but other chapters predictably tell of his sins.
Proclaiming It: You should read this as a story, that is, dramatically, making the voices of the speakers sound like real dialog. I don't mean this irreverently, but think of how you would tell a child a story about a beachcomber who finds a brass lamp; a genie emerges and offers the finder three wishes ... Today's first reading has a similar dramatic character, although theologically it's miles above anything in The Arabian Nights.
Your reading should make wisdom sound like the most desirable thing on earth. Make God sound absolutely delighted to grant Solomon's wish. Make your listeners want to ask God for wisdom. Make them want wisdom more than they want a winning lottery ticket or a brass lamp.
Video courtesy of Lector with Lisa
Delivery Blueprint & Pacing Control
Text Segment | Vocal Tone | Pacing & Ambo Actions |
"Brothers and sisters:" | Warm, inclusive, intentional. | Ambo Action: Make direct eye contact with a specific man and a specific woman in the pews to immediately personalize the greeting. |
"We know that all things work for good for those who love God," | Reassuring, confident, grounded. | Vocal Shift: Emphasize "all things" and "good." Deliver this with the calm assurance that the Holy Spirit is constantly weaving through our lives. |
"who are called according to his purpose." | Definitive, purposeful. | Pacing: Pause briefly after "purpose" to let the foundational promise settle before climbing into Paul's theological ladder. |
"For those he foreknew he also predestined" | Deep, ancient, foundational. | Definition & Focus: Predestined means decided from the outset. Lean into this word to convey God's timeless, deliberate plan. |
"to be conformed to the image of his son," | Sculptural, active, tender. | Ambo Action: Look up at the assembly. Think of the image of Christ as his compassion, charity, humility, and obedience. Visually match that warmth. |
"so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." | Expansive, familial, joyful. | Pacing: Broaden your delivery on "many brothers and sisters" to emphasize the shared community and restored humanity. |
"And those he predestined he also called;" | Direct, intimate, personal. | Vocal Shift: Imagine God calling people individually by name. Infuse the word "called" with distinct clarity and personal recognition. |
"and those he called he also justified;" | Unshakable, secure, rock-solid. | Definition & Focus: Justified means set on a solid basis, a secure foundation with God. Deliver this with an absolute "I've got you" vocal safety. |
"and those he justified he also glorified." | Radiant, climactic, triumphant. | Vocal Shift: This is the peak of the ladder. Let your voice bloom with light and completion. God stays with us to the end, making us the light he needs. |
[Long Devotional Silence] | Total stillness. | Mandatory Pause: Keep your eyes on the assembly and remain perfectly still for a full 4 seconds. Allow the sequence of God's work to resonate. |
"The word of the Lord." | Grounded, simple, deeply grateful. | Vocal Tone: Step back slightly and deliver with authoritative, steady finality. |
Romans 8:28-30
Courtesy of Greg Warnusz
First of Two Possible Liturgical Settings: Perhaps the ambitious preacher in your congregation has been speaking about the series of readings from Romans that began in early June. If so, this survey of the selections from Romans in the Lectionary this season will help you appreciate where the preacher is going. It may remind you of the ground that your congregation has recently covered. That, in turn, will inform your proclamation, so you can help all to move forward another step.
Proclaiming it in Another Possible Liturgical Setting: But maybe no one is helping your community tune in to this challenging letter. Still, there are two sayings here that might fall on some eager ears.
- "All things work for good for those who love God."
Say that deliberately, and pause afterward. Give it a chance to sink in. Someone there needs to hear this, even if they'll make of it something other than Paul intended. - "And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified."
This means God is calling people through stages of spiritual growth, whatever the meaning of the technical terms for each stage. Name the stages (speak the clauses) rhythmically, suggesting that they're progressive (and implying that it's OK to have progress still to make).
That those called are plural is also significant. God calls individuals to holiness only in the community context. (And the plural number of the verb "predestined" excuses everyone from another dreary discussion of individual predestination.)
Extra! Each Sunday passage from Romans in context: Click here to see a table summarizing the readings from Romans from the 9th to the 24th Sundays of Ordinary Time, this year.
