Today is the Last Sunday after Trinity. In the reading from Luke’s Gospel, as Jesus continues to draw closer to Jerusalem, he teaches about the last days and hope for the future. This teaching includes two parables about prayer that appear only in Luke’s Gospel. The second parable is about the Pharisee and the tax-collector and portrays two very different understandings of prayer. Jesus commended the approach of the tax-collector, not of the Pharisee. No one can stand in the presence of the holy God and feel justified by style of life or probity. The parable challenges us to reflect on our understanding and practice of prayer. While there are many different models of prayer, one helpful model is to see prayer as two-way conversations with God.

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of conversation. In today’s picture from his book, Do and Tell, Teddy Horsley is deep in conversation with his family about everything that he has been doing during the day.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you listen to the prayers of your people.

Teach us to pray

with humility and faith,

that we may grow into your likeness,

and listen carefully to your voice;

we make our prayer in your name.

Amen.

Next week, the Fourth Sunday before Advent, the reading from Luke’s Gospel brings Jesus to Jerusalem where he encounters Zacchaeus, a man who was short in stature, a chief tax-collector, and rich. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is stereotype. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.

Preparation Resources

Family Resources