TGIMM7years

April 22

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Tuesday, April 22, Easter Tuesday

JOHN 20:11-18

I tell Mary Magdalene not to hold on to me, but to tell his message to others.

Prayerthoughts
a. Mary of Magdala was anxious about Jesus and her desire to be with him. Am I anxious in my desire to have the Lord really be part of my life?

b. Mary senses that something is wrong, and immediately goes to someone she trusts for help. Am I willing to share with trusted others in difficult matters in order to have their help?

c. Mary of Magdala was weeping. I am often very sad about something that happens. Do I take the time to pray for the situation as well as feel sad?

d. There are two angels at the tomb here in John’s Gospel (it is different from the other Gospels). There are people in my life who are “my” angels. Who are they, and have I thanked them enough for what they do for me? (This is the task of the meditation.)

e. Mary jumps to the conclusion that “they” have taken the Lord. In my life, do I jump to conclusions too often, sometimes hurting others’ reputations?

f. We often do not recognize Jesus in other people. As I study the activities of my life, who are the people that I should recognize as Jesus more than I am?

g. Jesus wanted Mary not to hold on to him, but to announce his presence to his brothers. Where in my life right now is it not clear that I have heard the announcement that Jesus is Lord?

h. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2:36-47 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE EFFECTS OF THE RESURRECTION

+ Mary Magdalene was the first person whom Jesus appeared to after the Resurrection in John’s Gospel

- this is a familiar story

- Mary dutifully informed the Apostles and then stayed at the tomb,

- finally recognizing Jesus

- and Jesus saying that she should inform the Apostles and she does with “I have seen the Lord”

- the first reading is a glimpse at Peter’s ministry after the Resurrection and the key directive: “Save yourselves from the corrupt generation.”

+ Both readings and Mary Magdalene’s life make a perfect meditation as we strive to grow spiritually

- the basis of any spiritual life is Jesus’ Resurrection

- we believe that Jesus has risen and we can say with Mary Magdalene: I have seen the Lord

- and our life patterns itself after Mary Magdalene

- in the sense of having turned away from God

- and the desire to turn back to God, the ultimate reason why we are here

- Jesus’ Resurrection should have an effect on us

- or as Peter says in the first reading, we ought to save ourselves from the world

- and that comes across primarily in the way we treat others

- we no longer look on anyone in terms of mere human judgment

- that is, we look on them as God would look on them

- namely, since we are all chosen by God, redeemed by Jesus, everyone deserves love and concern

- that remains, of course, one of the most difficult things to do in our lives

- and we ourselves should approach life from the idea of a new creation

- Jesus truly has redeemed us

- we are made new and our attitudes should show that

+ Mary Magdalene was a true human -- she was redeemed and her life changed

- it is a tremendous example for us.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "7 Years" -- Lukas Graham

SING THE SONG OF MATURITY

The Gospel

LUKE 18:18-23

LUKE 18:18-23

An official asked Jesus this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him,…“You know the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother.’” And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.” When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when he heard this he became quite sad, for he was very rich.

Gospelthink: Jesus tells me that I should watch how much I possess because it can be a block to know God better.

The song goes through the years of life starting at 7 years old, talking about life and about being lonely, saying: "I always had that dream like my daddy before me, so I started writing songs. Something about that glory. I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure ‘cause I know the smallest voices. They can make it major. I'm still learning about life. My woman brought children for me so I can sing them all my songs. And I can tell them stories. Remember life, and then your life becomes a better one."

Lukas Graham's song "7 Years" is about growing into maturity, and thinking about the past in order to be better in the future. In particular, it is about a respect for being a father in today's world with all of the ramifications of that choice of a way of life. It is not easy to accept the necessity to grow into maturity because there are so many other things that we could selfishly choose, but it is necessary if we want our life to become a "better one," as the group sings.

Jesus knew the importance of growing into maturity. Knowing that being rich and having many possessions could easily move us off the path to maturity, he presented what might be called the essence of maturity in his encounter with the rich young man in Luke's Gospel. He told him that in order to "follow him," that is, in order to accept a way of life that could help ourselves and others according to the Way of Jesus, we had to learn to give to others, and therefore be willing to give away some of what we have.

If the essence of maturity does lie with the ability to give away some of our possessions, as Jesus seems to indicate, then the person seeking maturity has his task outlined. Not only does the mature person have to see that she/he must help others with what they have, but they must give away some of their personal desires. She/he must see that other people are just as important, must be able to value the gifts that others have, and in general must be able to truly "follow Jesus" with all of what it means in our lives.

Lukas Graham speaks of the songs that a father will sing to his own children, songs of maturity and life. Jesus speaks of a way of life that begins with giving to others and brings about eternal life.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, You call us to seek maturity as we grow, and as Your Son said, it begins with our ability to give to others. Give us the grace to truly understand what it means to be mature. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: When we study our past lives carefully, we can learn maturity.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Gospel text analysis: "Sell all that you have." Jesus uses exaggeration in his sermons often. Why do you think he speaks in exaggeration?
2. Detachment from material goods is obviously the message here. Speaking realistically in today's world, how would a person who really wants to follow Jesus behave with his/her material possessions?
3. In particular, do most Christians follow what Jesus says--to sell material goods and give to the poor? Yes or no and why?
4. Text analysis: "Something about that glory." What do you think the song is referring to?
5. Text analysis: "I don't believe in failure 'cause I know the smallest voices." What is the meaning of the sentence?
6. Text analysis: "Remember life, and then your life becomes a better one." What is the meaning of the sentence?
7. What is your definition of "maturity"?
8. Why is a "father" so necessary for a family to grow well?
9. Why is "giving away some of our goods" so important for maturity?
10. In your opinion, do most Christians really "follow Jesus"? Yes or no and why?
11. What does the song "7 Years" teach young people?