TGIMM2012 3

August 9

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Sunday, August 9, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

MATTHEW 14:22-33

I tell the apostles that they should not be afraid.

Prayerthoughts

a. The beginning of this Gospel is yet another instance of the Lord praying by himself. Have I made prayer an important part of my life?

b. In life, our “boat,” that is, our lives are being tossed about and it often seems that the things are “against us.” There are many situations that are difficult to deal with. In general, how well have I dealt with those difficult situations?

c. During my life, have I turned often to the Lord so that he may speak to me in every situation?

d. I must concentrate on the words of the Lord: “It is I; do not be afraid.” Have I allowed the Lord’s presence to dominate my life even during the most difficult times?

e. Is my prayer often one of complete trust in the Lord: “Lord, save me”?

f. Jesus reminds Peter and us once again of the importance of faith. Perhaps it is time to make another act of faith.

g. Is it clear from my life that Jesus is the Son of God for me?

i. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read Romans 9:1-5 and write an important thought from it.

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Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

REACHING OUT TO JESUS

+ Today’s Gospel is perfect for a personal meditation

- since it presents not only a story from the Gospels, but considering Peter in particular, it is a practical allegory to what Christians may be doing in their lives

+ Peter is a tremendous example of a modern American Christian

- he has witnessed this miracle of Jesus walking toward them in the midst of the waves

- like his fellow disciples, he is fearful

- but he hears Jesus’s voice and he understands that Jesus is there

- the American Christian—you and I—are people who have heard the Lord in one form or another

- and we have accepted the Lord, at least in a shallow sort of way

+ Then, with Peter, we want to experience the glory, we want what we want

- saying—since we have accepted you, Lord, let me have my way

- let me experience the joy of living, the pleasure of life, the power of being in charge, the things that I want

- in Peter’s language: “Command me to come to you.” That is, let me walk on the water also,

- let me have the experience that will give me a thrill, let me have my way

+ Peter after walking for a while, begins to sink because of the strength of the wind

- with us, when we take over, thinking more of what we want than any other factor, chaos happens—the world begins to influence us too much

- and what must happen?

- Peter does it—he reaches out to Jesus

- we must reach to the values that Jesus makes so clear in the Gospels

- and basically it means: we cannot rely on ourselves and what we want

- we cannot pursue our own agenda as Peter did, but we must turn to the agenda that Jesus gives in the Gospels

- we must really trust the Lord to help us in the things that happen in our lives

+ The ending of the Gospel story is important

- if we reach out to the Lord, he will immediately stretch out his hand to us

- but we have to reach first

- it may be very true to say that if we don’t do that—really reach to Jesus—then the chaos in our world will only get worse.

+ We need to listen closely to our promise as reiterated by Jeremiah today:

- we will be people of the Lord

- and if we are, God will be our God, leading us the proper way.

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MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Stay" -- Zedd featuring Alessia Cara

CAN WE "NEVER GROW UP"?

The Gospel JOHN 20:20-24

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesuscame. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Gospelthink: Thomas had a difficult time accepting my Resurrection. Am I daily making an act of faith in the Lord?

"You’ve got to make it on your own, but we don’t have to grow up. We can stayforever young, living on my sofa, drinking rum and cola underneath the rising sun. All you have to do is stay a minute.” She knows that she needs to grow up, but she is not willing to do that because she would have to let him go.

One of the signs that a person has grown up is the ability to give up the immaturity of selfish thinking. We like to feel good about the way we live, and in order to cross the threshold of maturity, we have to give up some of our selfish feelings. Thomas the Apostle was certain that Jesus could not rise from the dead. In John's Gospel he makes it very clear that he was not going to give up his own selfish certitude, even though his friends told him otherwise. He finally was able to grow up, and cast aside part of his selfishness. It is selfishness that the lady in the song "Stay" is showing as she wants the good feelings of the relationship with a friend. She admits that she knows that she has to grow up, but in this one instance of the desire to feel good, she is not willing to grow. Because it was difficult, she chose not to accept the challenge. She preferred her own way. To grow up is not an easy task. We have been "given to" all of our years beginning with our very birth. Those who love us have constantly given us what we need, and because of our prosperity, we have often been given even what we do not need. Those who care about us have found out what we want, and have tried to satisfy our every desire. It is no wonder that the lady in the song wanted to stay "forever young." Then we are asked to change. We are asked to begin giving of ourselves, being more aware of others and their desires. It is difficult because we are not "used to" doing it. To continue to seek what we want is really an easy pattern to adopt. As the lady in the song, we know that we should grow up, but we do not want to. We are "programmed" to take, and not to give. Thomas the Apostle had to give up his selfish attitude and apologize to his Master. We must understand that in our lives there are many moments in which we must give up our own selfishness

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son must remind us that we tend to be selfish in the way that we live. Give us the grace to grow into maturity a little more in our lives by giving up the selfishness that controls us. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Growing up is a difficult task, but it must take place if we are to achieve maturity.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. In your opinion, why is the Resurrection of Jesus so important to Christianity?

2. You and I are blessed by Jesus because "we have not seen and (yet) have

believed. Do you think that most Christians have strong faith in God? Yes or no

and why?

3. Sometimes it is a good statement that all of us should stay "forever young."

Understanding the phrase from a healthy point of view, what does it mean?

4. What are some signs of maturity?

5. In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of growing up?

6. In your opinion, are the things that you possess "needs" or "wants"?

7. In what ways should we "give of ourselves" as we mature?

8. What does the song "Stay" teach young people?

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