Sunday 27^th July – 17^th Sunday of the year

Reflection: 1 Kings 3: 5, 7-12

ASKING ARIGHT

James gives us an insight into why our prayers are not answered. “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4: 2-3). God desires the best for you and I. However we often do not know what is best for ourselves. Our worldly mind is so occupied by mundane things and selfishness that we do not ask for the right things.

Today’s reading presents us with “a question of a lifetime”. Imagine God telling you: “Ask what you would like me to give you”. What would be your reply? Solomon’s answer to this question was commended by God. He looked beyond himself, his comfort, material gain etc and asked for the understanding and discernment needed to lead God’s people aright. What was God’s response? “…here and now I do what you ask”. That is the very response you and I love to here when we pray.

Dear friends, indeed God has that same response for you today if you ask aright. God created us to be happy. But our true happiness only comes when we are unselfish in our prayers. Christ assures us: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14: 13-14). Let us approach our dear Father each day for our needs with faith and trust and with the desire to glorify Him even in our requests.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for the reassurance you give me. Please take away from me all selfish inclinations so that my petitions will be in accordance to your divine will. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 507 – What happens if you find that prayer does not help?

Prayer does not seek superficial success but rather the will of God and intimacy with him. God’s apparent silence is itself an invitation to take a step farther—in total devotion, boundless faith, endless expectation. Anyone who prays must allow God the complete freedom to speak whenever he wants, to grant whatever he wants, and to give himself however he wants.

HIDE A TREASURE: “And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 RSV-CE

Readings for today: 1 Kings 3: 5, 7-12; Psalm 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-130; Romans 8: 28 – 30;

Matthew 13: 44 -52