JOHN 10:17-21

Jesus said: “This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, “He is possessed and out of his mind; why listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one possessed; surely a demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

Gospelthink: I lay down my life to earn further life. Am I thankful for the Lord has done for me?

During a lull in the action of trying to save the White House and their lives when police officer John Cale and President James Sawyer were discussing their thoughts in the movie "White House Down," the conversation turned philosophical. Admitting the drawbacks involved in their own personal lives, the President concluded that perhaps the most important thing that they could do was to try to make a difference with their lives. For John Cale it meant a relationship with his young daughter again; for President Sawyer, it meant bringing about peace in the world. Both were willing to sacrifice in order to accomplish what they wanted, but it took real courage to do it.

John Cale and President James Sawyer in the movie "White House Down" wanted to make a difference with their lives. In order to do it, they had realized already that "sacrificing" their own desires and wishes was a "must." The courage was almost automatic because of their situation. But their desire to make a difference was the driving force.

The driving force at the end of Jesus’s life was the same. He wanted to make a difference for humankind. He wanted to give them the opportunity of eternal life once again. In order to do it well, he told his Apostles that he must lay down his life, that is, sacrifice his own life to accomplish his goal. He knew that his Father God was with him in the undertaking, but he knew that he himself had to make the sacrifice and show the courage necessary to bring it about.

As you and I look for a lesson from Jesus's act of redemption and as we study the action and words of the principal characters of the movie, their thought of making a difference is a good one to dwell on. We are called to make a difference with our lives for the world around us. Each one of us touches the lives of people throughout the day. Perhaps we should make the intention each morning to so something special for one of those people in our lives.

It may take some sacrifice and more than a little courage at times, but it is the way to make a difference in a world that often needs someone's help. Someone like us perhaps.  

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son made it possible for me and all of us to have eternal life. May we have the grace to imitate his desire to truly make a difference in our worlds. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: It takes courage and sacrifice to make a difference in our world.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 61 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you?
2. In he Gospel, Jesus speaks of the choice he makes to redeem us--he freely chooses to do it in association with the command of his Father. What is your understanding of "redemption"?  (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 613-617)
3. In your understanding of the Gospels, what is the greatest proof that Jesus is God?
4. Do you believe that the North American public understands the meaning of "sacrifice"? Yes or no and why?
5. In your opinion, is the idea of "making a difference in the world" important for most people? Yes or no and why?
6. What is the driving force in most people's lives today?
7. In the outside world right now, who are most in need of help? What can you do about it?
8. Analysis: "Revenge" plays a major part in the thinking of the people who have taken over the White House. Many commentators say that "revenge" plays a major role in today's problems. Do you agree and why or why not?
9. Scene analysis: using Emily in order to get to the President and Cale. Why is family so important to us?
10. Scene analysis: the President surrenders rather than have the captors kill Emily. In real life, do you think that something like this would happen? Yes or no and why?
11. Scene analysis: the President refuses to activate the nuclear football even though Emily would die. Emily is willing to suffer death. This is an act of true martyrdom. Who are some modern martyrs in today's world?
12. Scene analysis: Walker wants to destroy the world causing a nuclear war. In your opinion, how should we control our nuclear capability?
13. Scene analysis: Emily waves off the air strike on the White House. Do you think that pilots would kill innocent people when their superior officers have ordered it? Yes or no and why?
14. Analysis: Raphelson wants the power of president. Religious writers commonly say that "power" is the ultimate problem in our world and in our lives. Why is this mostly a true statement?
15. Analysis: the real hero in the movie is Emily, a young person. In general, do you think that young people would show the same bravery and love as she did in the movie? Yes or no and why?
16. What does the movie "White House Down" teach young people?

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