[Jesus said:] “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned, desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Gospelthink: I tell you to acknowledge me as your Lord. Am I living out the word of the Lord daily?

"Everybody loves the things you do, from the way you talk to the way you move. Everybody here is watching you 'cause you feel like home. You're like a dream come true. But if by chance you're here alone, can I have a moment before I go? 'Cause I've been by myself all night long, hoping you're someone I used to know. You look like a movie, you sound like a song: this reminds me of when we were young. Nobody told me that you'd be here. And I swear you moved overseas. That's what you said, when you left me. A part of me keeps holding on just in case it hasn't gone. I guess I still care. Do you still care?"        

Anyone familiar with the Gospels knows of Jesus's running battle with the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of his time. In one passage, Jesus addresses "Jerusalem" meaning the religious leadership of Jerusalem in general. He accuses them basically of "living in the past," pointing out to them that they were unwilling to open up to him, and thus causing problems for their present and especially their future. He spoke of their house being "abandoned" and "desolate."

"Living in the past" is a problem for any one in our world, no matter in what situation we may find ourselves, but especially it is a problem in romantic endeavors. In Adele's song "When We Were Young," she sings of a lady in the relationship who remembers a love experience when the lady and a boyfriend were involved. She liked the experience and when she sees him by accident, she recalls their time together, saying that she has not forgotten the experience. In fact, as she says, she still cares. One is led to believe that her past with him continues to affect the way she feels now and will feel in the future.

It is true that some "living in the past" is good in the sense of reliving wonderful times as an incentive for the present and future, but most of the time, remaining in the past is harmful to a person. In such cases, people tend to dwell in that past, and neglect to face the present situations or the possible outcomes in the future.

You and I have a past, a past with good and bad events, but whatever has happened in the past must remain in the past. Our lives must accept the present situation in which we find ourselves, so that we can live it as best we can. In that way, we will understand the importance of the past, but not be governed by it. Thus our future will be one that is worthwhile. If the religious leaders of Jesus's time had realized that fact, their lives in the present and future would have been better.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we all have a past with which we are familiar and which often dominates our present and future thinking. Give us the grace to study the present in which we live, and help us choose to follow Your direction with Your Son's lead. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
 
Theme: When someone holds on to the past too long, it can only cause disappointment in the future.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Project: The presenter may want to give a class on the fall of Jerusalem and the reasons why.
2. Text analysis: "You will not see me again...." In your opinion, what is the meaning of the sentence?
3. Text analysis: "You feel like home." What is the meaning of the sentence?
4. Text analysis: "You look like a movie; you sound like a song." What is the meaning of the sentence?
5. Analysis: Should former serious boyfriends/girlfriends keep in touch with each other? Yes or no and why?
6 . What is your understanding of the phrase "living in the past"?
7. In particular, what is the principal reason why "living in the past" is not good for those who had serious relationships?
8. Describe an incident in which living in the past harms the present?
9. If someone wants to live "as best as they can," what primarily must such a person do?
10. Describe a "worthwhile future."
11. What does the song "When We Were Young"  teach young people today?  

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