LUKE 22:35-38

[Jesus] said to them, "When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing," they replied. He said to them, "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, 'He was counted among the wicked'; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment." Then they said, "Lord, look, there are two swords here." But he replied, "It is enough!"

Gospelthink: I want my disciples to be prepared for whatever might happen in the future. Am I prepared for my death as well as I should be?

The brilliant screenplay of the movie "War Horse" writes sections of the history of World War I as if it were told through the eyes of one of the horses who is pressed into the service of the war. In a sense, Joey, the war horse, tells the story of both the English and the German sides of the war. In the beginning session of the movie, Joey is born, raised by a dedicated young person, and eventually brought to the war. He befriends another horse, Topthorn, and together they serve in the war. Throughout the session, it is clear how war alters the reality of human plans and disrupts the happiness that could have been present if the war had not happened. Whether human or animal, life will never be the same when war and hatred take over lives. 

The Scripture passage cited is the one New Testament passage which can be taken to mean that Jesus advocated the use of a sword (or any other weapon) in self-defense. It has been discussed at length especially by those who feel that Jesus was a complete pacifist, namely, advocating no physical defense. Perhaps the best way to understand the passage is to say that Jesus gives a limited justification for fighting in self-defense.

Fighting in a war, therefore, must fall under the category of "self-defense" and Christians will further refine their understanding of the need to fight and kill with the laws that Jesus gave us about love, especially love of enemies. Generally speaking, the wars that have occurred in our world have not been events in which Jesus' commands were carried out well. They have been and continue to be (for those wars that are being waged right now) difficult times for a Christian to be a Christian.

Difficult or not, however, for the Christian the principles of Jesus Christ must guide them. In the movie "War Horse," the horse Joey moves in and out of situations caused by World War I. Considering a Christian application to those situations, the one thing that can be said is that whatever the event in which Joey was a part, the Christian human beings that made up the situation should have acted in a Christian manner.

The fact is, of course, that many Christians did not act the way Jesus wanted his followers to act. The circumstances of war cause people to act in ways that they never would have planned. In truth, Christians must behave a certain way in every adverse circumstance. At all times, Christians are called to remember who they are.  

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, human beings have created much evil in your world. One of them is the evil of war. Give us the grace to practice your Son's desires even in the face of extreme circumstances such as war. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme:  Ordinary human beings cannot do much to prevent war, but they must react in a Christian way to the circumstances caused by the war. In fact, they must act as Christians in every adverse circumstance.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 68 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. As mentioned, there is a dispute over the exact meaning of Jesus' words in the Gospel. One interpretation is that Jesus was speaking figuratively to alert the disciples to the seriousness of the struggle, and the disciples took him literally, producing two swords.  In that case, Jesus' words "It is enough" means that they simply did not understand. How would you understand Jesus' words?
3. Jesus is referring to his Passion and Death and later Resurrection that would come immediately in Luke's Gospel. What is your understanding of why Jesus died and rose from the dead?
4. There was indeed persecution in the early Church. In your opinion, in your locale is there any persecution of the Church? Yes or no and why?
5. If Jesus were a pacifist, how would Christianity survive?
6. As you study the most recent wars, can you place any of them in the category of "self defense"? Yes or no and why? Choose the most likely of recent wars that was self-defense. Was the whole war justified in your opinion? Yes or no and why?
7. Practically, how can a soldier practice "love of enemies" during war?
8. If your family was killed in a war, what would you do, given that you are a Christian? Why?
9. The presenter may want to present for discussion some part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 2258-2318 concerning the fifth commandment.
10. What is your feeling about "conscientious objectors"?  See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, number 2311.
11. In your opinion, what is the worst part of war?
12. What are some circumstances other than war in which Christians have a difficult time remembering that they are Christians, followers of Jesus?
13. Scene analysis: Ted uses the rent money to pay for the horse. Using a budget is important for every family. Do you believe that most families spend money foolishly? Yes or no and why?
14. Analysis: Ted and Rosie obviously have a marital problem of poor communication. What are the most important characteristics of communication in a marriage?
15. Scene analysis: Albert puts the collar over his own head to show Joey what it consists of. Giving example is the best form of education. Do you believe that most adults teach young people by good example? Yes or no and why?
16. Scene analysis: Albert and Joey plow the field. Do you believe that most young people are willing to work this hard to bring about a good end? Yes or no and why?
17. Scene analysis: Albert and his mother talk about Ted's service in the war. In your opinion, why do people not like to talk about their involvement in a war?
18. Dialogue analysis: Ted feels that God has given him more than his share of bad things. Do you believe that God "causes" bad things to happen to people? Yes or no and why?
19. Dialogue analysis: Rosie says to Ted--"I might hate you now, but I'll never love you less." What does this mean for a marriage commitment?
20. Analysis: the British feel that God is on their side as they attack the Germans. In war, can one talk of God being on one side more than another? Yes or no and why?
21. Scene analysis: Joey "teaches" Topthorn to accept a collar. Do you believe that animals and horses in particular, can teach other animals? Yes or no and why?
22. Scene analysis: Gunther and Michael are executed for their desertion. Is the punishment too severe? Yes or no and why?

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America