#Sermons on prayer changes things pdf free#

Through Jesus and the Gospel we come to know and understand what the real meaning of life is and what the most important things in life are. The first and second parables are in effect saying that to know God and to live according to the Gospel are the most precious things in life. Here perhaps the church quietly explains the existence of people both good and bad. The third parable speaks of the realistic situation, similar to one about the wheat and the darnel, about the Christian sense of time and the separation process at the end of time. The first two parables using the images of hidden treasure and a pearl of great price are addressed to individuals who with joy and assurance sell everything else to possess something precious. In the Gospel of today we are presented with three parables, two of which are closely linked in meaning but with slight difference. God is active in all events of their lives. He knew beforehand about those who would live our Christian faith in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, shining in Divine love so we may inherit the Kingdom of God. In deciding to create the universe, we know that God arranged everything out of love.

#Sermons on prayer changes things pdf free#

Further he says that God knew before creation which one among us would respond to His grace through our own free will. Paul here wants Christians to realize that they have been destined from all eternity to be confirmed to the image of his son.

God’s plan is that we be conformed to the image of his son Jesus and that Christians reproduce in themselves an image of his Son by progressively sharing more and more in the risen life of Christ. In the Second Reading from the Letter to the Romans Paul says that all things work for good for those who love God.

The Jewish traditions credited Solomon with wisdom which surpassed any other king of Israel and it is credited to the humility he exhibited before God. His son Solomon had made alliance with Egypt had built his palace before he sought to build a Temple for God and the sacrifices were offered in high places. David was partially successful in this role and his successors were not. Since God was the true king of Israel, David and his successors were to use their position to steer the people on right path of faith. Kingship in Israel was established by God to serve the people. King Solomon, when given the opportunity to ask for what he wishes, prays for practical wisdom and prudence to discern for his people right from wrong. In the First Reading from the First Book of Kings, we heard how the Lord God rewarded Solomon for his unselfish desire to be righteous before the people as their King. They are relentless in their search for the prize. It is the actions of the people in the parables. While today’s Gospel presents us with the image of the kingdom, its focus is not the hidden treasure, pearls or the catch of fish. The divine values in practice are nothing but the deepest human values and aspirations as mirrored in the life of Jesus, who is himself the revelation of God to us in accessible human form. The Kingdom is primarily an environment, it is a set of relationships, and it is a situation where God’s values prevail. It also calls for a great measure of tolerance, patience and understanding in seeing the Kingdom become a reality. The Kingdom constantly invites people to the high ideals and great generosity. In the New Testament there are almost one hundred and fifty references to the Kingdom and the more Jesus speaks about it, the more he reveals its mystery. In normal language the Kingdom of God is understood as God’s rule in the heart of every individual. Today’s Readings stress on the importance of the Kingdom of God and demand a personal response on the part of every Christian to God and to his Kingdom.