[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.”

“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.

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.

Being accepted by a group is important for an individual.

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?