girls

August 12

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, August 12

MATTHEW 17:22-27
I did not want to offend my enemies, even though they wanted to kill me.

Prayerthoughts
a. Jesus reminds me that he will be killed. Perhaps I should I take the time right now to pray for those who have been or will be killed today.

b. We should pay legitimate taxes. What is my feeling about taxation in my country?

c. We are part of two kingdoms, the kingdom of the earth and the kingdom of God. The kingdom of earth deals with our daily lives, while the kingdom of God includes our thinking of God and what Jesus taught. With which Kingdom do I spend most of my time?

d. The subjects of the kingdom of earth are “exempt” in the sense that we should have given our allegiance to God. Is it clear from all of my actions that I am devoted to the kingdom of God?

e. There are certain things that should be done in order not to offend others. Thus the importance of “keeping peace” and “giving in” on our parts. Do I have true love of others in that I give in to what they want, presuming that it is not against the law of God?

f. The Lord continues to work in miraculous ways in our lives. Am I sufficiently aware of the Lord’s activity in my life?

g. The standard is given for all as Jesus tells Peter to pay for him too. Am I generous with the talent, time or money that I have?

h. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will make a list of people to whom I should show more generosity.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

KEEPING THE PEACE

+ In the prophetic vision of Ezekiel, God tells of the four evangelists who will record God’s Word

- and then presents the image of the glorified Jesus who was surrounded with great splendor

+ Jesus as man in the Gospel knows that his immediate future will involve death before that glorification will take place

- and even though his future was on his mind,

- he is presented with a very human problem

- something that you and I must worry about as well—paying taxes

+ The tax referred to here was obligatory for all Jewish males over 20 years old

- it was used for the upkeep of the temple

- it was a bit controversial because of how it was used

- but Jesus makes it clear to Peter that as children of God whose house the temple is, they are exempt from taxes for the temple

- but for sake of not causing scandal, Jesus pays the money for him and Peter

- how he gets the money is a bit fantastic and probably something added by some editor

- but I think the important point for us is that Jesus obeyed the law, even though he really didn’t have to

- the phrase the English uses is a good one to be aware of: “that we may not offend them”

+ Jesus did not want to offend them

- that is, knowing that there is controversy concerning whether to pay or not to pay, he wants to do the least thing that will cause a problem

- in terms of our living right now, it means that we should live in our lives in such a way that we will stay away from controversy as much as possible

- some examples include:

- expressing strong opinions about politics or the like

- and in some cases, showing real anger

- being too concerned about what others are doing when we can do nothing about it

- bringing up topics that are not important when we know they will cause controversy

- in general, trying to bring peace to situations rather than anger or frustration

+ Admittedly, there are some times when we absolutely must speak up and cause a little discussion

- but the thought must be to be peaceful people

- and deciding what that means in our own individual circumstances

+ We may indeed know what’s right and we want to say it all the time,

- but sometimes we have to hold back in order to keep the peace.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Girls Like You" -- Maroon 5 featuring Carli B

MAKING THINGS RIGHT

The Gospel

MATTHEW 20:1-7

Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just. So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'

Gospelthink: This is the beginning of a story of a generous person, but the point here is that they had to work to get a reward. Do I give my best in the work that I do?

"Spent 24 hours; I need more hours with you, you spent the weekend getting even. We spent the late nights making things right between us, but now it’s all good, play me close ‘cause girls like you run ‘round with guys like me ‘til sundown when I come through. I need a girl like you—girls like you love fun and me too. I need a girl like you."

The point that Jesus wanted to make in his story of the people working in the vineyard was that no matter how much they worked, they had the possibility of gaining eternal life. But what is important in all of the situations that Jesus gave was the work that had to be done. They all had to work in the vineyard in order to receive their reward. They all received the same reward, but they all had to work for it first.

Laboring to receive a reward is part of our life. We believe strongly that a "laborer is worth his wage" as Jesus once said. There are all kinds of problems with the attitudes of people with regard to work--laziness, complaining about other workers, not enough pay for the amount of work done as in Jesus' story, but be that as it may, the bottom line is *that someone must do the work. Likewise in any relationship, romantic or otherwise, if we are to accomplish the end goal, we must work in order to get it.

The good thing about Maroon 5 and Carli B's song "Girls Like You" is that the couple was willing to work at their relationship. They had to "make things right between" them, and once that happened, then the man in the relationship could come through with loving the way he should. The key to any job that demands action from a group of people is that everyone works together to get the job done. In a romantic relationship, it is the same. Both have to be willing to give, to care, to listen, and to understand.

We live in a world where interaction between people is necessary to accomplish goals. At times, the interaction is between two lovers who are questioning whether they should live their lives together in marriage or a permanent commitment. The question can only be answered if both intend to work at it.

It should be noted that the excellent video of the song honors women leaders in our world in a special way.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we all interact with people around us, one of whom we may choose in a permanent relationship. Help us in our different interactions to always be willing to work at making them better. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: People involved in a relationship must work at it to make it last.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Girls Like You" teach young people?
2. Gospel analysis: Jesus' story implies that we must work for eternal life. What is the best way to gain eternal life?
3. Song analysis: What are the principal ingredients of "making things right" in a love relationship?
4. What is the most common complaint when it comes to working in our world?
5. What are the ways to insure a good love relationship?
6. Do you feel that both parties in most love relationships know the importance of "working" to make the relationship real? Yes or no and why?
7. Why is there such a high percentage of marriages that do not work out?
8. In general, do you feel that women are honored enough in our world? Yes or no and why?