TGIMMsend

April 2

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, April 2, Holy Thursday

JOHN 13:1-15

Fully Aware

Prayerthoughts

a. Jesus had the idea that his death would be occurring very close to this day. We all know that we will die. Are we preparing well for that moment?

b. How does it feel to know that Jesus loved us and will always love us? What should it lead me to do?

c. The devil “induced”—literally, “The devil put into the heart that Judas should hand him over.” The devil or evil is responsible for the evil in our world. In what areas do I see the most evil, and is there anything that I can do about them personally?

d. Jesus was “fully aware” of what he was doing. He wanted to teach his apostles something. Am I fully aware—dedicated to obtain the knowledge—of what I am called to do in my work, in my family, in my community?

e. The interaction with Peter. Peter knows that he needs help. I know that I need help in the spiritual area of my life. Do I take the time each day to reflect on being a better person?

f. Jesus asks his apostles whether they “realize” what he has done. Do I spend time with the Scriptures, trying to “realize” the Lord’s action in life and in my life?

g. “Wash one another’s feet” means that I should care for people. Are there some people that I see often whom I should care for a little more?

h. On Holy Thursday, we believe that the Lord instituted the Eucharist.(See second reading of Mass of Holy Thursday.) Have I received the Eucharist often?

i. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read Exodus 12:1-8,11-14 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

SERVICE

+ John’s Gospel does not give an account of the institution of the Eucharist

- instead he gives what we read in the Gospel

- I’m always struck by how similar the introduction to Jesus’s act of service is to the institution of the Eucharist in the other Gospels

- it’s as if John’s Gospel wants the reader to think that he is about to give the account of the Eucharist using the same words

- but he doesn’t

- as if to say: you thought I was going to describe the Eucharist to you, but I have in fact described something just as important as the Eucharist, namely service of others

+ No doubt—the Eucharist is important

- we are a Eucharistic church

- the center of everything we do, and the first two readings bring that point home

- but John’s Gospel points out an action that is just as important for people after they have received the Eucharist: the action of service to others

- Jesus’ message today is crystal clear

- nothing hidden here, it is a direct statement: if you are going to be a Christian, a follower of Christ, you must serve others

- If I, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

+ We may have forgotten how to be a servant because we have forgotten how to give

- a rather strong indictment was leveled at the American Christian Church recently

- it came from a relatively conservative fundamentalist magazine, and an American who was proud to be an American—as he said—who made the accusation

- it bears listening to even if it may be too strong:

- “Americans are for the most part too greedy. They cannot give without expecting something in return. Hardly anyone gives back to God what they should, for example. And when they actually give, older people often give only if their names can be placed on plaques or facades or receive tax breaks. Younger people often give to get what they want. Whether American people are rich or poor, it seems that any giving they do must have some reward. They don’t know how to give without getting something back.”

- whether we agree or not, it is a fact that the real concept of giving involves no desire about whether we get something back or not

- and it is something to keep in mind as we reenact the service and the giving of Jesus.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Send My Love" -- Adele

THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF A BREAKUP

The Gospel

MARK 10:40-45

Jesus said: “To sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Gospelthink: If you want to be a true follower of mine, you will learn to serve other human beings. In what ways am I serving others?

"This was all you, none of it me. You put your hands on my body and told me you were ready for the big one, I’d be your last love everlasting—you and me. I’m giving you up, I’ve forgiven it all. You set me free. Send my love to your new lover. Treat her better. I was running, you were walking. You couldn’t keep up, you were falling down."

The Apostles were relatively ordinary people, although they grew to be extraordinary in their later lives. That in itself is a good thing for us to learn from. But looking at it from another angle, since they were ordinary, they had to disagree with each other. There were twelve of them, and chances are that they often disagreed more than they should have. At one time, James and John, known to be a little belligerent in their approach to life, had asked Jesus to be first in his kingdom. The other Apostles were "indignant" about it, causing no doubt an argument in which there was blame leveled at one another.

Jesus was well aware that addressing who was to blame would not solve any problems. Instead, knowing how blaming others created havoc, he chose to teach them about being servants to one another. He told them in effect, that if they learned the lesson of being a "slave" to another, they would find the answer to any disagreement.

Translating the Gospel incident into everyday life, when some type of blame is placed on another, it is important to understand the meaning of being a servant to one another. We who are upset at someone must look at the person with whom we are upset and understand that we are servants of the person. If we do, then, whether another is to blame or not, the problem can be solved without too much complication.

As we consider the case in Adele's song "Send My Love," the lady in the relationship places direct blame on the other, and indeed, it seems to be the case. She seems to handle the breakup well, but she must remember that she is a servant of sorts to the other, and treat such a one with that in mind. It not only is good "religion," but it is good "psychology" as well.

The follower of Jesus in particular will work with romantic breakups and indeed every disagreement with another, with the thought of being a servant to the other. In general, it will control anger, but more importantly, it will lead to better relationships.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son in many ways was a perfect psychologist. He taught us the lesson of being a servant. Give us the grace to learn the lesson a little better so that our relationships, romantic and otherwise, will be healthy. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We can place blame for failed relationships on others, but we must always remember the importance of everyone involved.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is your definition of a "servant"?
2. Analysis: As one studies the words of the song, describe what the relationship between the man and woman was like.
3. It is good for us to consider the Apostles as ordinary people who became extraordinary in their spiritual lives. Do you feel that Christians in general develop their spiritual lives well? Yes or no and why?
4. Using your imagination, what would it have been like for the twelve Apostles to spend a significant time together?
5. In what way is being a "slave" different from being a "servant"?
6. In an anger situation, considering ourselves to be servants of the person with whom we are angry is a way to diffuse anger, but it is extremely difficult. What is the best way to control anger?
7. Do you think that all "religion" is good "psychology"? Yes or no and why?
8. How should a Christian consider a "break up"?
9. What does the song "Send My Love" teach young people?