Deacon Randy Kiel returns for his weekly visit to preview the Mass readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, walking through Solomon's request for wisdom in the First Book of Kings and St. Paul's teaching on being conformed to Christ in Romans 8. He explains how Solomon's humble prayer for an understanding heart offers a model for discernment today, and how Catholic teaching reads Romans 8 differently than a strict predestination framework. It's a short, practical primer to help listeners prepare their hearts before heading to Sunday Mass.
This Week's Readings Deacon Randy Kiel previews the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8:28-30; and Matthew 13:44-52. Full text of the readings: USCCB.org.
Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom God appears to Solomon in a dream and offers him anything he asks for. Rather than riches or long life, Solomon requests an understanding heart to govern God's people justly — and Deacon Randy unpacks why that request pleased God so much.
Romans 8 and the Catholic Understanding of God's Plan Deacon Randy addresses a commonly misunderstood passage, explaining how Catholic theology reads St. Paul's language of being "predestined" as an invitation to conformity with Christ rather than a doctrine of fixed predestination.
About Deacon Randy Kiel Deacon Randy Kiel is a permanent deacon at Christ the King Parish in Des Moines and a licensed professional counselor with Kardia Counseling. He joins the show every Thursday to preview the upcoming Sunday's Mass readings.
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