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February 13
[media presentation below] GospelThink Thursday, February 13 MARK 7:24-30 I deliberately tested the lady whose daughter was sick because I wanted to know her faith. Prayerthoughts a. The Lord did not want to be seen. There are times in my life when I should not be seen and just give myself to prayer. What is my prayer time during the day? b. The girl had an “unclean spirit.” We are not certain about the meaning of the term, but we know that there was some affliction in the girl’s life. There are a number of people that I run into day after day who are afflicted with something. Do I try to pay attention to their needs? c. The person was not Jewish. There are a number of people who are not believers in my faith as I believe. Am I open to their understanding of God? d. Jesus seems to insult the lady, as a means to test her faith. Is my faith in Jesus a guiding factor in everything that I do? e. It is obvious that the lady had faith and accepted the insult, but did not lose her belief, and Jesus rewarded her for it. When I am insulted, I should respond with no thought of revenge. Has revenge played a part in the way I behave? f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will read Genesis, chapter 2, and write an important thought from it.
Some Thoughts on the Liturgy THE PRAYER OF PETITION + The so-called “Second Creation Story” continues in the book of Genesis in the first reading today - something to consider in this creation story: man is created before all the animals showing the importance of people + It is an important thought for Jesus’ ministry - Jesus was always into the idea of “people are more important than law or tradition” - and today’s Gospel is a statement of that, and it goes a bit further + Actually I look at the Gospel to be an important one for the understanding of the prayer of petition - Jesus makes it clear throughout the Gospels that we should be asking God for help, no matter what the circumstances - here the Gospel is a study of a particular circumstance - what do you do when it not only seems like God is not answering; - it actually seems as if God is deliberately ignoring your request - such is the feeling of many of us in the prayer of petition when we are asking and it seems as though God is not listening + What do you do? - studying this woman - first of all, she accepts the Lord’s words—she doesn’t contradict him at all—saying to us that if we feel that we are not heard, then another answer may be given to us, and we have to be willing to accept that - but the lady tells us also—you keep pointing out to the Lord your faith in him - “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” - and Jesus says: “For saying this”—that is, for your persistence in asking, then your request is granted + The prayer of petition is an important element of our spiritual lives - we should ask of God because we know that God will always answer.

MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: "F9: The Fast Saga" -- beginning session THE EFFECT OF A GOOD FAMILY

The Gospel

MARK 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed twelve [whom he named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: he appointed the twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee and John the brother of James whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Gospelthink: I called my disciples, giving them the power to teach. In many ways, I teach others by my example. What kind of a teacher am I?

"F9: The Fast Saga" is the name of the ninth installment of the "Fast and Furious" movies. The theme of "family" runs throughout the movie since the principal characters, Dom Toretto and Jakob Toretto are brothers. They are racers of the Toretto family whose father is Jack. Dom is a symbol of the good who tries to bring about peace while Jakob is a symbol of the evil in society who is only interested in power. As the movie begins, after Jack's death in an auto accident, Dom and his friends are trying to find Mr. Nobody's crashed plane that contains the remains of Project Aries, a machine that can make the owner literally omnipotent. Jakob was instrumental in bringing the plane down. Throughout the movie, Dom and Jakob interact with each other and their sister Mia in a way symbolized by the cross which Dom and Jakob wear. There are tough moments, but the family ties are strong, even bringing about good for all involved. As young Dom and Jakob said to one another early on: "We're gonna be okay 'cause we're family."

The original "sons of thunder," James and John, the sons of Zebedee whom Jesus called were probably given their nickname because of a rebellious attitude. In many ways, Dom and Jakob Toretto were "sons of thunder." The Toretto family was involved in the race car circuit, and Dom and Jakob, as can be seen throughout the movie "F9: The Fast Saga," were people who would not run from a fight.

It is interesting that Jesus called members of different families to make up the one family that he set up, the Twelve or the apostles as he called them. The thought of family had to be uppermost in Jesus's mind. He wanted his apostles to consider one another to be as close as brothers in order to preach Jesus's message of love and unity to the world.

Every agency who works with the improvement of a nation, a city, a community, a small group of people and the like will speak of the importance of family. If we are interested in improving some situation, it is almost a "given" that we must work with the families involved to make them loving entities. Somehow it becomes a fact that if people can make their families become loving relationships, then their world outside will be loving. It seems that Jesus knew that as he formed a family of the Twelve.

The problem, of course, comes with human nature. For whatever reason, usually selfishness, members of families sometimes do not get along, and upset everything in their path. It is almost an unfortunate fact that just as loving families help the world, so families with difficulties "mess up" the world. The secret is in discovery, that is, being aware of what each individual family member is doing. In the movie "F9: The Fast Saga" Jakob finally understood what he had done, bringing together a loving Toretto family, and eventually a living of true happiness around their family.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, it is obvious that we are all members of families. Some of them are healthy bringing about a truly good life. Unfortunately, some of our families are not so healthy. Give each of us the grace to understand how we can be better family members. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Being part of a strong family is of immense importance if we want to enjoy a peaceful existence in our world.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 66 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Why are some people "naturally" combative, that is always ready for a fight, whether physical or mental?
3. Why is "family" a good description of Jesus and his apostles?
4. In general, why do families become "messed up" in our society?
5. What can be done to help the families around us who are "messed up"?
6. How does "selfishness" disturb family unity, and what can be done about it?
7. In the movie, Jakob finally understood some things. In your opinion, do most people who "mess up" a family come to an understanding of what they are doing?