November 6[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, November 6 LUKE 14:12-14 I teach you about real generosity and humility. Prayerthoughts a. Jesus teaches humility again, saying that you do not sponsor a banquet for those who will pay you back. That is the wrong reason for giving a banquet. Do I spend time giving to others only to have them give back to me, or am I truly generous in my actions? b. You invite people for the sake of being a truly giving people. Do I give things to others for their benefit? c. The Lord speaks specifically of the poor and the hurting in society. Do I take particular pains to help the poor and/or homeless in my community in some way? d. Jesus gives a “prerequisite” for entering the Kingdom, namely true selflessness, not worrying about what you will get in this world. Am I too concerned about myself as I go about my activities? e. My prayerthougths…   Today, I will read Romans, chapter 11 and write an important rhought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  THE IMPORTANCE OF “THE OTHER”  + Both readings can be framed around the question: “Why do we give to one another?”           – from the reading from Paul to the Romans, we give to one another because such is the call of God:                      – God has given to us—“how unsearchable his ways”                                – now we must give back to God           – with Jesus in Luke’s Gospel                      – we give to others because everyone is as deserving as we are  + The question of giving to others is an important one for a deeper spiritual life           – it involves first of all, a proper understanding of others and their importance in life                      – too often we think in terms of comparison with others when we think of them                                – and as we compare ourselves with them, we are often very critical of them           – the truly spiritual person will look at everyone as important with no comparison                      – and this sets up an attitude                                – an attitude of “Since others are just as important as I am, and I am just as important as they are, I will act in such and such a way”                                          – such a person can never look down on others, no matter who they are                                                    – and consequently will treat everyone with the utmost respect  + And secondly, the proper giving to others involves giving with no thought of repayment           – difficult to do in this world that is so centered—and rightly so—on justice                      – with the true idea of giving, we should be going far beyond justice                                – we should be giving of ourselves with no thought of getting paid for it in any way                                          – and when we are paid—as in our work, or that which is our livelihood, true giving means giving more than is required                                                               – going further than what we are paid for  + In Christianity, the other person, the Neighbor, capital N, is always of supreme importance           – the truly spiritual person must understand how important the other is. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “What Lovers Do” — Maroon 5 featuring SZA WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER The Gospel LUKE 3:10-15 The crowds asked [John the Baptist], “What then should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.

“Tell me if you love me or not. I bet the house on you. Am I lucky or not? Been wishin’ for you. Are we too grown for games? Are we too grown to play around, young enough to chase, but old enough to know better. I can’t wait forever. Both of us should know better.”

A very big part of “growing up” is the knowledge of when to be a little more mature in our actions. It was one of the first messages of the Gospel, as spoken already by the precursor of Jesus, John the Baptist, in the very first part of Jesus’ time with us. John knew his audience. He knew that many of them had done nothing more than play games with life. Consequently, John told them basically, “Grow up,” that is, carefully look at what you have done in the past, and see that life involves a maturity that leads away from the selfishness of that past. It is not unlike the message of the man in the love relationship described in Maroon 5 and SZA’s song “What Lovers Do.” He is telling his friend that they have been playing games with love in the past, but that they should be old enough to know better now. Knowing better consists of understanding love, and understanding how a mature relationship must happen. One cannot fool around with true love. Either you “play games” or you honestly work for a possible commitment. There are many suggestions offered by experts on how to make relationships last. Those who have studied relationships tell us for example to wait until we are older before making a lasting commitment or to allow “love” time to mature or to give up one’s own personal wants or to work at becoming best friends. But basically it is nothing more than allowing the immature selfishness of youth to dissolve. It is easy to fool around with love and the feelings of love without any real desire to “grow up.” John the Baptist said it to his listeners. Modern music often does the same by entreating those who want true love to work at it, and do what both in a relationship should know better.

PRAYER  Good and gracious God, as we grow, we often want to remain in a state of immaturity and “fool around” with life. Give us the grace to listen to your prophets, and help us grow in true maturity. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Even though it feels good to be immature, we must work toward maturity. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. John the Baptist was very clear in wanting people to change their ways within their professions.  If you had the chance to address the leaders of our world, what would you say to them? 2. It seems that the people who came to listen to John the Baptist were sincere in their desire to better themselves. In general, what do most of us need to accomplish in order to be better people? 3. Song analysis: “play games.” What games to people play in love relationships? 4. Give your own definition of “maturity.” 5. In a love relationship, what are some things that we should “know better”? 6. What is the best way to allow the selfishness of youth to dissolve? 7. What does the song “What Lovers Do” teach young people?