[media presentation below] GospelThink Tuesday, October 17 LUKE 11:37-41 The religious leaders were concerned with externals. I tell them and you that you must be concerned about giving to others. Prayerthoughts a. Jesus accepted invitations to all people, even those he knew would try to trick him. Am I open to everyone no matter what I think of them? b. The Pharisee was “amazed.” He was looking at Jesus with criticism. Jesus makes the distinction between externals and internals. The internal is more important than the external. I should concentrate on my “internal” judging and feeling about others. As I study other people in whatever situation that I am in, do I judge them with a positive point of view? c. The Pharisee in particular was concerned that Jesus did not follow a ritual. Am I too tied into some ritual in my spiritual life, forgetting that the important thing is a closer relationship with the Lord.? d. Two words describe what Jesus says that we must do: give alms. As I study my life, am I giving of myself to others? e. Specifically, do I give alms to help the poor in the community in which I live? f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will read Romans, chapter 1:16-32, and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  EXTERNAL PRACTICES, INTERNAL GROWTH  + Both readings refer to different aspects of the lives of the Hebrew people of the Hebrew Scriptures           – Paul refers to the fact of sinfulness even though they knew what God had given them]           – Gospel: the Hebrew ritual practices, like the ones performed at meals                      – and in both instances, both Paul and Jesus say that there must be a change if Jesus is important in people’s lives  + The basis of the spiritual life for us, of course, is the following of Jesus—the main point that Paul is trying to get across to the Romans, and as we hear often in these readings           – but the way it is expressed in today’s readings is significant                      – for Paul, faith in Jesus is expressed through actions                      – for Jesus, what is really important, that which will make us “clean”—giving alms, with the stress on “giving”  + And so, the application of the readings becomes very practical:           – 1 – externals must lead to internal growth                      – the spiritual things that we do must change who we are                                – all of our prayers—this Mass, rosaries, formal religion for us, all the external practices of our spiritual life                                          – must lead to a change on the inside                                                    – we become kind people, people able to put up with problems, forgiving people           – 2 – we have to work at the virtue of giving—giving being the definition of love                      – giving of ourselves in whatever situation—real generosity                                – to the point that others can take advantage of us                                          – this may be one of the most difficult things in life to do           – 3 – giving, generosity, is expressed especially in giving alms, that is, giving material things to others                      – and in Jesus eyes, that is the way people will be clean                                – giving away to the poor (especially clear in Luke’s Gospel)  + There are two phrases from the Scriptures well worth meditating on today:           – from Paul—establish in our personal lives “a righteousness of God””           – from Jesus—“give alms, and everything will be clean for you”. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Team” — Lorde ON EACH OTHER’S TEAM The Gospel MATTHEW 18:19-20 Jesus said: “Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Gospelthink: When you gather together to pray, I am there as well. Do I recognize the Lord’s presence as much as I should?

“Call all the ladies out: they’re in their finery. Now bring my boys in: their skin in craters like the moon. Dancin’ around the lies we tell, dancin’ around big eyes as well. Even the comatose they don’t dance and tell. We live in cities you’ll never see on screen, not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things living in ruins of the palace within my dreams, and you know, we’re on each other’s team.”

When interviewed about the meaning of her song “Team,” Lorde responded that it was in part a tribute to the teenage generation who are a minority in cities. The video to the song acts out that meaning in a unique way. Taken as a whole, it is a statement of the importance of a group of people, and being accepted by others as they make their way in the world. One of the more important characteristics that Jesus had for the people who were designated as his followers was the leadership characteristic of “working together.” In Jesus’ thought no one was to work with him who was not connected in one way or another with someone else. Thus, when he chose specific helpers, he chose a group of people, the Twelve in particular. And when he gave some characteristics of prayer, he spoke in terms of a group of people–where “two or three” are gathered, then the Lord is present. Of course, in the Gospels, the Lord also pointed out to his followers that they could pray individually, but perhaps a more meaningful way to pray is for a group to speak to God. Being part of a group is an important part of living. The young person feels it as he/she travels the halls of high school and college. Adults are likewise influenced by the fact that they belong to some group as they grow in the world. Whether people are striving to do better in the way they live or working out an agenda for the future, being accepted by a group of people enables them to feel better about themselves and their lives. One of the problems of groups that we must be aware of even as we seek them out is that some actions of the groups may not be good for humankind. Praying as a group for that which is harmful shows a basic fault with the group. Sometimes the group does things that are harmful and therefore we would do well to avoid those groups. Joining a group must involve some basic study of the group before we join. Jesus knew the psychology involved in being part of a group. It is also a common experience for us as we grow. Being part of a group is important for every individual and a choice we must make carefully .

PRAYER Good and gracious God, being a part of a group is such an important part for human beings. Give us the grace to understand our desire to be connected with people, and help us choose our groups well. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Being accepted by a group is important for an individual. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Analysis: From the Gospel: “It shall be granted them.” In your opinion, is it true that every prayer for something good will be answered? Yes or no and why? 2. One of the necessary elements for prayers to be answered is for “Jesus to be in the midst.” In your opinion, have most Christians placed the Lord in a high place in their lives? Yes or no and why? 3. Project: make a presentation on prayer based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 2700-2719.  4. Text analysis: “Dancing around the lies we tell.” What is the meaning of the phrase? 5. Text analysis: “Even the comatose: they don’t dance and tell.” What is the meaning of the phrase? 6. Text analysis: “We live in cities you’ll never see on the screen.” What is the meaning of the sentence? 7. Text analysis: “Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams.” What is the meaning of the phrase?  8. Obtain a copy of the video and study it. What is most striking about the video? 9. Fundamentally, why is it important to “belong” to some group? 10. Why would it be “more meaningful” for people to pray as a group? 11. How does being part of a group make each person in the group feel better about themselves? 12. Give some examples of groups who are praying for or doing the wrong thing. What is the ultimate reason why they pray for or do those wrong things? 13. What does the song “Team” teach young people?