In the first reading from the Fifth Sunday of Easter, the Acts of the Apostles, it speaks of the conversion that happened to Saul. God spoke to Saul on the Road to Damascus, which made a profound impression upon him. The message of Jesus Christ transformed his mind and heart. When Jesus communicated with him, it made him understand what the true meaning of a relationship with God should be. Prior to that, he had persecuted and jailed those who spoke of Jesus Christ and the message that was being presented. There is a Greek word “Metanoia” which means a change in your heart and mind. As we communicate in prayer, we too like Saul, need to be open to the possibility of change.
In the book “Jesus of Nazareth”, written by Joseph Ratzinger who became Pope Benedict XVI, he said that “Prayer must not be an occasion for showing off before others; it requires the discretion that is essential to a relation of love, God addresses every individual by a name that no one else knows. As Scripture tells us ”If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches; to those who prove victorious I will give hidden manna and a white stone, - a stone with a new name written on it, known only to the man who receives it” (c.f. Rev2:17). God’s love for each individual is totally personal and includes this mystery of uniqueness that cannot be divulged to any other human being.
In the Catechism it states that “faith is a supernatural gift from God. In order to believe, man needs the interior help of the Hoy Spirit”. Engaging in prayer, we exercise our soul to be open to the Holy Spirit.
In Fr. Alfred McBride’s book, “Essentials of Faith: A guide of the Catechism of the Catholic Church”, it is quoted: “Make a habit of sincere prayer. Then your life will be noticeably changed. Prayer is the world’s most powerful form of energy.” He further quotes I Thessalonians 5:17-18 stating, “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” And he explains, “Let this be in the form of hymns, word, silences, sighing, mediation, contemplation, centering prayer, psalms, worship, adoration, petition, thanksgiving. Get in touch with God. Love awaits you.”
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