awish

February 16

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, February 16

MARK 8:11-13

I was very upset with the people who refused to understand me.

Prayerthoughts
a. In our prayer do we tend to “argue” with the Lord as the Pharisees did? We tend to want our way, and are not content to allow the Lord to act according to His Will.

b. Jesus had just performed a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fish. The Pharisees probably knew of this, but they still demanded a “sign.” Thinking of my relationship with others, am I deliberately not trying to see things as they see them?

c. Jesus is completely exasperated with the Pharisees because they would not remain open with regard to his intentions. Do I honestly try to understand the point of view that someone else has?

d. Jesus says that no sign will be given because they are not open to see it. Do I recognize enough the signs of God in the world around me?

e. Jesus did not “argue” with the Pharisees. He simply left the situation. Do I tend to defend my position with others while not allowing them the courtesy to have their opinion?

f. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read James 1:1-11 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE WISDOM TO SEE

+ There is deep frustration in Jesus as we study the words of the Gospel today:

He sighed from the depth of his spirit…

- the frustration that Jesus had with the Pharisees was that they refused to see the problem with themselves

- they would not listen to him as he tried to tell them how they were behaving

- instead of listening, they wanted a sign that he had the right to be saying what he was saying

- in Jesus’ mind, it was simply a matter of looking at what they were doing, and realizing it

- Jesus was telling them, but they refused to see

- and so, Jesus could work no sign that would lead to conversion

+ In terms of the first reading from the letter of James, they were lacking in wisdom, and they were doing nothing about it

+ The readings say to us that we can stop any evil in our lives if we seek the wisdom to do it

- and part of that wisdom is studying ourselves and why we are doing what we are doing

+ There is not much serious evil in our spiritual lives

- or else we wouldn’t be here

- but any person desiring to live a deeper spiritual life as you and I are, can see that there is—if not serious evil—then “small” evils

- the way we talk with/about others

- laziness in spiritual reading and other exercises

- refusal to do small things when we could help someone

- judging others / reading other’s minds, assigning motivation to them when it may or may not be true

+ Our human natures tend to bring it about some evil

- but the message of Scripture from the very first moment of our existence is encouraging—we have the wisdom to overcome evil

- our job is to seek the wisdom to determine the evil that our natural desires lead us to, and then master it—either before it has started, or if it has begun already, to do something about it.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Wish You the Best" -- Lewis Capaldi

WISHING THE BEST

The Gospel

LUKE 6:27-28

Jesus said: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

Gospelthink: You must learn to love your enemies and forgive them their wrongs toward you.

“I miss knowing what you’re thinking and hearing how your day has been. Do you think you can tell me everything? But leave out every part about him. Right now, you’re probably by the ocean while I’m still out here in the rain. Maybe it’s supposed to be this way. But oh, my love, I wanna say, ‘I miss the green in your eyes’ and when I said we could be friends, guess I lied. I wanna say ‘I wish you never left,’ But instead, I only wish you the best. I wanna say, ‘Without you, everything’s wrong’ and you were everything I need all along. I wanna say ‘I wish that you never left’, but instead, I only wish you the best.”

Marriage was very different in Jesus's day. Therefore, Jesus never spoke about past love relationships the way we think about them. He never had the occasion to give a high school or college course on discovering romantic love and what it means in light of his teachings. Consequently, he did not speak about one of the most common situations that young people must experience as they grow, namely a romantic breakup.

It is generally known that people will not marry the first person that they "love." Granted that there are a few exceptions, but for the most part, the fact means that people will have a “falling out” with people that they once liked, even loved. This is the definition of a breakup. Many times the breakup is hostile and angry, and burdens people for a long time.

Jesus may not have said anything about breakups, but he had much to say about forgiveness. In Luke's Gospel, he even alludes to the fact that one cannot pray properly if such a person cannot first forgive. Such a directive would include people that we had a relationship with at one time.

Lewis Capaldi's song "Wish You the Best" is a statement of what usually happens at a breakup. The man who has experienced the breakup is angry, upset, and lets her feelings known to her once-upon-a-time girfriend. But he seems to understand that that is a wrong approach, and says that he wishes her well. In doing so, he is following the directive of Jesus, namely that no matter what the situation, we must work with a spirit of forgiveness. In a sense, the song is asking forgiveness for the man's jealous behavior, eventually wishing his friend "the best."

Jesus's words that direct us to forgive others are never easy because his words cover every situation of our lives, even when others have hurt us in some way. Young people must be especially aware of his words when they are recovering from romantic breakups; every Christian must be aware of them throughout their lives.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, it is not easy to follow your Son's law of forgiving others. Too often we are hurt, and want to get back at someone. Help us recognize our need to forgive everyone, no matter what the circumstances. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We may express our disappointment at the actions of another, but the Christian will always wish the other well.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Wish You the Best" teach young people?
2. Why is it true to say that before any prayer can be offered to God, a person must be able to forgive another?
3. When is forgiveness most necessary in relationships? Why?
4. Do you think that most Christians have totally accepted the idea of forgiveness into their lives? Yes or no and why?
5. Although Jesus did not say anything about "romantic love" in his teachings, if there were one statement that you believe Jesus would say about beginning romantic love, what would it be?
6. Why is "revenge" so disruptive in relationships?
7. What is most difficult about a "romantic breakup"?
8. Is jealousy always bad for a relationship? Yes or no and why?