need

August 20

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Wednesday, August 20

MATTHEW 20:1-16
I tell you a story of a person who is very generous.

Prayerthoughts
a. I am involved with some work right now. Am I working as best I can, that is, following what I should be doing according to the guidelines that have been given me?

b. What is just and fair is a guide for the landowner. In my dealings with people, am I always at least just and fair?

c. The landowner was obviously generous in giving more than just wages to those who worked less. In what I do, am I generous in giving more than I can?

d. The English translation of “they thought” is important. The judgment of others begins in our thinking. In my thinking, am I too harsh on others? Perhaps I should make a practice of praying for those that I think ill of for whatever reason.

e. They grumbled, that is, they complained about something that they thought was right. Do I complain too much?

f. Sometimes I have the right to complain. Have I always checked the facts before I complain? When I have the right to complain, do I complain to the proper authorities?

g. When the landowner was generous, it upset others. As I work with everyone in my group, do I try to be aware of how everyone feels and adjust as best I can?

h. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read Judges 9:6-15 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE VIRTUE OF GENEROSITY

+ The first reading is a very interesting parable told by one of the Judges of the Israelite people after the people had chosen a man by the name of Abimelech to be king

- the people in essence had chosen the buckthorn, the least of all trees to rule over them, and now, Jotham says, you will pay the price

- that is, we have to be very careful who we choose to rule our lives

+ Over the past couple of days, we have reflected on the fact of what happens when riches rule our lives, and in the process, we heard the Lord tell us about the importance of giving to others

- closely connected with the idea of giving is the thought of generosity

- which is even more than giving

- giving can be a matter of justice

- in fact, I think a point can be made that says that it is a matter of justice that we give back to God by giving to the poor and giving of ourselves

+ Generosity is not a matter of justice

- it is a matter of love, going beyond what is necessary, doing more than expected

- in Jesus’ story, he says that this must be a virtue of our spiritual lives

- we must learn to be generous people

- that is, one of the marks of a spiritual person is that we are doing something for someone for which we are not paid

- generosity goes beyond what we are called, or paid, to do

- involving doing more than expected at the job

- in the home

- in the community

+ Generosity also implies that we want nothing in return

- not even a “thank you”, although that may be the courteous thing to do

- the idea is that we give—period

- we expect recognition

- if that is the case, it is often nothing more than showing off

+ Giving to others is difficult; generosity which is giving more than expected is even more difficult.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Need a Favor" -- Jelly Roll

REAL PRAYER

The Gospel

LUKE 11:1-4

LUKE 11:1-4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

Gospelthink: I teach you how to pray.

"I only talk to God when I need a favor, and I only pray when I ain’t got a prayer. So, who the heck am I to expect a Savior if I only talk to God when I need a favor. But God I need a favor! I know Amazing Grace, but I ain’t been livin’ them words. Swear I spend most Sundays drunk than I have in church. Hard cover King James only been savin’ dust on the nightstand, and I don’t know what to say the time I fold my hands. I only talk to God when I need a favor." [Lyrics adjusted]

Scripture scholars tell us that this shorter former of the Our Father in Luke's Gospel is closest to what Jesus actually taught. And it should be noted that in the prayer, petition is certainly part of it, or in terms of the song from Jelly Roll: "God, I need a favor!"

But it must be noted that both Jesus and the song point out that petition is only part of prayer. Jesus teaches other parts of the prayer such as praise of God and forgiveness. And in the song, the person is forgetting about the other elements of prayer. He admits that he cannot expect a "Savior if I only talk to God when I need a favor."

Believing that God will answer our prayers is certainly part of a Christian's belief. And so the Christian must confidently ask God for help. But the Christian must also understand that in asking for a favor, she/he will recognize that God knows more than we do, and thus, may not give exactly what we ask for, but the Lord will always answer in some way.

The point of the song, however, is that we must be aware that this prayer of petition or asking for a favor is not the only kind of prayer that should be offered to God our creator. In our prayer pattern, there should be some prayer of thanksgiving and praise for the very gift of our lives and all the good things that we experience. And a prayer of forgiveness should be in order, as we acknowledge the fact that as people with free will, we do things that hurt ourselves and others.

But the song points out something further. If a Christian offers a prayer, thus expressing a belief in God, then the Christians' actions will be the actions of a truly committed Christian. As the song suggests, such a Christian will read the Scriptures and will be in control of the alcohol she/he consumes. In general, that is to say, the follower of Jesus will truly be a follower of Jesus.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we who believe in you will always talk to you directly in prayer, and much of the time we will be asking for something. Help us to confidently continue to do that, but at the same time, understand every element of true prayer. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Praying the prayer of petition is good, but prayer is much more than asking for something.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Need a Favor" teach young people?
2. In your opinion, do most people pray to their Higher Power? Yes or no and why?
3. What is the most important kind of prayer, as we think of prayer in terms of petition, thanksgiving, forgiveness or praise of our God?
4. Do you agree with the Church teaching that God will answer all of our prayers? Yes or no and why?
5. Give an example of a prayer of thanksgiving.
6. Give an example of a prayer asking for forgiveness.
7. In general, why should Christians pray?