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Pathways to Discipleship: Serving Jesus

Session 4: Generosity

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Serving Jesus: Generosity

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Good and gracious God, I thank you for the beauty of the earth and all creation. Help me to hear always the calling to be a good steward of your gifts, the caretaker of all you have entrusted to us on earth. Let me always recognize, cherish, and enjoy the goodness in all of creation. Teach me reverence for every person and all living things.

O God, help me to use your gifts wisely and share them generously. Whisper in my heart the reminder that I am but a temporary guardian of your abundance; I am called to pass your gifts on to the next generation. Let all I do be a reflection of your love and care. Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

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Serving Jesus: Generosity

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Our hope for this session:

Grow in openness to generously support the corporal needs of others
Selflessly minister to others in spiritual need

In this session we learn how we may live the 11^th Habit of a Disciple:

Shares resources generously with the Church and others

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Pathways to Discipleship

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Serving Jesus: Generosity

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GENEROSITY

Freely offering more than what is expected without counting the cost.

“and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you” (Mt 5:41-42).

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“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” (Acts 2:44-47).

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STEWARDSHIP

Jesus calls us to be stewards:

Managing households, businesses, goods
Caring for creation
Using our gifts wisely for ourselves and others

He made Peter steward of the Church:

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19).

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WISE STEWARDSHIP

Everything comes from God and returns to God
We receive with gratitude, and share lovingly
Gifts given in love are multiplied by God
God blesses wise stewardship by entrusting us with even greater gifts

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“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Mt 25:21).

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PURPOSE OF GENEROSITY

Shifts our focus from ourselves
We grow in dependance on God’s providence
We learn to love others better

“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6).

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GENEROSITY WITH MATERIAL NEEDS

“How can I help?” / “What can I give?”
Give of our best, our “first fruits”
God blesses our giving
We become less attached to material things!

“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).

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TO WHOM SHOULD WE GIVE?

Discernment is important:

Who needs our help? How should we give? (Cash, gift cards, food, other help?)
Pray for guidance.
Charitable Organizations: Are they good stewards of our gifts? Do their values align with Church teachings?

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Take a moment to reflect on the opening video. What is your response to the testimony?
What are some practical ways to cultivate an attitude of stewardship?
What does it mean to be a cheerful giver?
Share some religious or charitable organizations you believe are worthwhile to support generously.

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GENEROSITY WITH SPIRITUAL NEEDS

The gift of our time
The gift of our presence
The gift of our prayers

“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38)

Each of these gifts shows love and enriches the spirit of the one who receives:

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MINISTERING THROUGH GRIEF, SHAME AND DESPAIR

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Being present and suffering with others
We listen without judgment and offer mercy
Simply accompany the other and provide them hope

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THE L.O.V.E APPROACH

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L – Listen and Learn

O – Open Options

V – Vision and Value

E – Extend and Empower

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MINISTERING TO ONE ANOTHER

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ST. PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI (1901-1925)

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Wealthy Italian youth who exemplified generosity
Member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a Third Order Dominican
Contracted polio at the age of 24 and died

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Share a time when you or someone generously offered the gift of time to minister to the spiritual needs of another person.
Who are the “least” in our lives? How can we become more aware of their needs and offer to assist?
Do you have a “Paul” (spiritual mentor), “Timothy” (one you spiritually mentor) or “Barnabas” (a spiritual peer) in your life?
How does the example of Pier Giorgio help you to understand or encourage you to live life more generously?

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PRACTICE TOGETHER

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Generosity is an outward expression of love. Discuss what words or actions may be helpful or unhelpful to share with someone who is grieving or struggling. Practice sharing words of comfort and consolation to one another.

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DISCIPLESHIP NEXT STEP

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Reflect on what you are called to offer to God as your first fruits. How are you being called to grow in generosity towards others? Discuss with your spouse or family as appropriate. Start with a small change in your giving and grow it as you are comfortable, giving cheerfully.

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REMINDERS FOR NEXT SESSION

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Read or listen to Session 5: Charisms before our next session.
Thank you to those who brought snacks this time.
If you would like to go deeper on Generosity, check out our additional resources here:

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CLOSING PRAYER

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O Father, you gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in the service of the poor and the sick; through his intercession may we, too, walk the path of the beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us.

Pathways to Discipleship