In reading the stories for this weekend’s liturgies, I was reminded in particular of when I attended a Parish Mission at another parish a few years ago. The speaker mentioned personal prayer in the midst of one of these talks. He told us that the “lowest form of prayer” is petition: to always be asking for something of God. The “highest forms of prayer” were simple prayers of praise and thanksgiving. He said these are the prayers that are best for us, for the “growing” of our spiritual grace. (God doesn’t need our prayers…we need to pray to God…) I don’t know that he was correct—but prayers of thanks and praise directs our thoughts away from ourselves and our wants and needs…
Today, this Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear about the curing of the leper Naaman (from the second Book of Kings); and then in the Gospel story about the only grateful leper of a group of ten whom Jesus cures. Jesus asks: “Where are the other nine?” We are all called to offer our thanks for everything God has done for us!
We gather each weekend to be strengthened in Word and Eucharist for the week ahead. (Eucharist is a Greek word that actually means ‘thanksgiving.’) Today’s readings challenge us to be Disciples with grateful hearts for God’s healing presence, for all God’s good gifts, and particularly for the gifts of faith, hope and love. How do we respond to God’s generosity? How to make a return to the Lord for all God has given us? With our very lives! We can witness a deep sense of gratitude by sharing what we have been given, by good stewardship, and by living life with a consciously grateful heart. It takes practice, but it’s a practice worth doing.
This week instead of expecting or asking for something of God as you pray, maybe try prayers of gratitude and appreciation instead. In place of worrying about getting, go with giving, and see how your life changes. Our Psalm today says it all: “The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power.” That certainly is a reason to give thanks and praise to God! There is power in prayer.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Today, this Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear about the curing of the leper Naaman (from the second Book of Kings); and then in the Gospel story about the only grateful leper of a group of ten whom Jesus cures. Jesus asks: “Where are the other nine?” We are all called to offer our thanks for everything God has done for us!
We gather each weekend to be strengthened in Word and Eucharist for the week ahead. (Eucharist is a Greek word that actually means ‘thanksgiving.’) Today’s readings challenge us to be Disciples with grateful hearts for God’s healing presence, for all God’s good gifts, and particularly for the gifts of faith, hope and love. How do we respond to God’s generosity? How to make a return to the Lord for all God has given us? With our very lives! We can witness a deep sense of gratitude by sharing what we have been given, by good stewardship, and by living life with a consciously grateful heart. It takes practice, but it’s a practice worth doing.
This week instead of expecting or asking for something of God as you pray, maybe try prayers of gratitude and appreciation instead. In place of worrying about getting, go with giving, and see how your life changes. Our Psalm today says it all: “The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power.” That certainly is a reason to give thanks and praise to God! There is power in prayer.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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