Hagar was Sarah’s maidservant. According to Sarah’s wishes, she bore a son for Abraham. However, this led to Sarah’s anger and resentment. Eventually, following Sarah’s command, Abraham sent Hagar and her son away with a skin of water and a small amount of food. She wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba, lost and uncertain. Overcome with grief and despair, Hagar’s eyes were clouded with sorrow. Yet, having lived in Abraham’s household, she had developed an inner perception and the ability to listen. Likewise, her physical senses remained strong. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, "God has heard the cry of the child; do not be afraid." Hagar’s Condition: She was cast out from Abraham’s household. She was wandering alone. She had no water in the wilderness. Amid these hardships, she was on the verge of death. Hagar’s story teaches us that "God’s help comes to us in our greatest distress." She was in deep despair, lost and withou...
The Samaritan Woman , Songs of Solomon 4:12-15 / John 4:1-45 / 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 | Sermon by Father.Mungamuri Devadasu
The Samaritans were the people living in and around Shomron (Samaria) . They were descendants of the ten tribes of Israel from the Old Testament. However, over time, they drifted from their faith and intermingled with other nations, losing their religious purity. Because of this, the tribe of Judah (the Jews of today) did not associate with them and kept them at a distance. Their words and interactions reveal the deep-rooted division and animosity between the two groups. When Jesus Christ came to the well , He spoke with a Samaritan woman and led her to salvation . Just as a fisherman casts a net, Christ gently drew her into the Kingdom with the gospel. An Example from Nature Consider a person trying to tame a wild dove . If he approaches too quickly , the dove flies away . If he throws a stone , it might die. Instead, he scatters grains . The dove comes, eats, and flies away . He scatters more grains , and again, the dove eats and flies away . But over time, as the dove gets...