TGIMMtheimposs2

February 24

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, February 24

MARK 9:14-29

The Cure of a Person Possessed by Evil

Prayerthoughts

a. The scribes and people were “arguing.” Am I too argumentative in my interaction with people whom I know well?

b. The son of one of the members of the crowd was handicapped in some way. What is my reaction to people whom I see are handicapped? If there is something I could do, would I do it?

c. Jesus calls them a “faithless generation.” (And Jesus’s later statement: “Everything is possible to one who has faith.”) Am I as faith-filled as I should be? Is it clear that I am a person of faith in Jesus?

d. The evil spirit threw the boy into convulsions. Evil will act in my world and the world around me. Where do I see the most evil in my world today? Can I do anything about it?

e. Jesus engages the person in conversation about his son. When I am with people, do I do too much talking about myself or am I legitimately interested in the other’s life?

f. Jesus took him by the hand. He was genuinely interested in him. Among my friends, is it clear that I am interested in them?

g. Evil can only be conquered by prayer. Is my prayer-life what it should be? How can I do better?

h. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will spend some time in prayer for those whom I see often.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

WISDOM IS FOUND IN JESUS

+ The first reading this week is from the book of Sirach, part of the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Scriptures

- we can’t really understand it well because of the nuances of the Greek poetry

- but it begins with a statement about wisdom

- wisdom being the sole possession of God

+ That wisdom has been made manifest most of all in the person of Jesus

- and the Gospel of Mark today gives us one of the healing stories of that Gospel to consider

- there are a number of elements to consider that could help our spiritual growth

1 – the simple act of bringing the situation to Jesus is a statement in itself

- in our prayer life, that is what we are called to do

- to bring the situation to Jesus in prayer

- and ask the Lord’s help and direction

- we don’t know what the outcome will be, we trust that the Lord will help

2 – there was a delay before the cure

- as we ask the Lord for help, there are times when it seems as though the Lord is not listening

- and it seems as though there is no hope

- because we are mainly dealing with personalities, and all personalities are complicated

- but just as the father in the Gospel, we cannot give up, but continue to seek the Lord’s help

3 – the statement of faith of the father, the central moment of the story of the Gospel

- he admits that he has faith: “I do believe”

- but at the same time, he acknowledges that he must trust more: “Help my unbelief”

- we must understand that we are always called to deeper faith

- a deeper union with God

4 – Jesus’ statement that the result of faith must come about through prayer

- some manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel add “and fasting”

- our faith must be strengthened by an active spiritual life

- a spiritual life that involves time, energy and effort

- at pursuing what Jesus wants.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "The Impossible" -- final session

JOY WITH SORROW

The Gospel

MARK 4:38-41

[During the storm,] Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet, be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Gospelthink: I wanted the disciples and you to grow in faith in me. Do I continually put my trust in the Lord in all of my circumstances?

The Bennett family caught in the disaster of the Thailand tsunami of 2004 is the subject of the movie "The Impossible." The movie portrays exceptionally well the destruction of the tsunami and the resulting tragedies of the thousands of people who were affected. People of faith must face some very important questions about a good God as they study the situation. There was unbelievable joy as the Bennett family were miraculously brought together again, but there was uncontrollable sorrow at the losses of family members that most of the people involved in the tragedy felt as a result of the calamity. As the movie closes, Maria Bennett is totally happy that her family is together, but looking at the devastation of the tsunami, she can only cry in sorrow. How and why is God working in such a way that some families will be happy while some will never feel happiness? It is a question that not only comes as a result of this particular tragedy, but every tragedy.

The question is the age-old question of evil in the face of a good God. How can a good God allow the evil things that happen? If one accepts the concepts of God and free will, it is a relatively short step to the conclusion that God must allow for evil if we have free will. But what of tragedies that are "natural" and destroy human lives and property, that is what about storms at sea, tornadoes, tsunamis, famine, lack of moisture and the like?

This may be the atheist's real "proof" that there is no God. Or has God simply set up the universe, and then said "Deal with it"? Or is there a deeper reason? In terms of the Gospel passage of the storm that the Apostles had to endure, why is the Lord sound asleep and not aware of what is happening?

Jesus' answer is his answer in the Gospel passage: "Do you not yet have faith?" That is, God is working things out, and we must have faith that God is involved in the answer. First of all, the person of faith must understand that even if this life is taken away in a tragic manner, we have the gift of eternal life awaiting us if we believe in God. Such a belief is "automatic" and the ultimate answer of why people must suffer death. Of course, while we are here on earth we want to live according to the Lord's wishes as best we can. But, even as we are called to live well, when we die, our futures will be infinitely better than we have here.

But besides eternal life, there is also an answer in the here and now. Bad things may happen to good people, but out of the bad, something good always appears. St. Paul reminds the Romans: "We know that all things work for good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28). Good will always come out of the tragedy. Often we are hampered by our own thinking as we say things like "I do not know of any good that can come out of this tragedy." No, we do not. God might answer us: "Do you know everything?"

The person of faith must listen to Jesus in the Gospel passage: "Do you not yet have faith?" Does our faith not guide us to the conclusion that something good will always happen even if we do not know of it? We are able to see the happiness of the Bennett family in the movie "The Impossible," but the eyes of faith tell us that good came about in some way among the thousands of other families that suffered the same tragedy. We just do not know it.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, living with the evil of the world is always difficult because we would like to control it, but we cannot. Help us understand that even in the worst of cases, there is always a good that will come. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: God's plan includes happiness and unfortunately tragedy.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
[This is the second part of the miracle as described by Mark; the first part is in the first meditation on this movie.]
(session: approximately 53 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. For the experienced fishermen like the Apostles, to admit that they were perishing would imply real fear about what was happening. What are the most fearful things in our spiritual lives?
3. What is your understanding of "faith." The presenter may want to present part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition about faith. See numbers 142-165.
4. What is the worst evil in the world right now? Is it man-made or "natural"?
5. Why is "atheism" considered an evil in our world? The presenter may want to make a presentation on "atheism." See Catechism numbers 2123-2126.
6. The presenter may want to make a presentation on "eternal life." See Catechism, numbers 1023-1029.
7. The presenter may want to make a presentation on "death." See Catechism, numbers 1010-1014.
8. Do you feel that the saying of St. Paul quoted in the meditation is true in every case? Yes or no and why?
9. Give an example of some good that came out of the Thailand tsunami.
10. Scene analysis: Karl helps Henry; an unnamed lady helps little Tomas. There were no doubt many random acts of kindness on the part of people connected with the tragedy. In general, are most people kind? Yes or no and why?
11. Scene analysis: Henry leaves Tomas and Simon by themselves temporarily. What other way could Henry have employed?
12. Scene analysis: Young Daniel, the person that Maria and Lucas helped, found his dad. It is yet another "miracle" that happened in the midst of the tragedy. What is your definition of a "miracle"?
13. Scene analysis: the family is all in the same hospital area, but they do not know it. The reunion is joyous when it finally comes. Do most families share this type of family joy with each other? Yes or no and why?
14. Scene analysis: the truck would not start, thus keeping Henry in the vicinity longer, and then finding his family. It is either the grace of God or "luck." In your opinion, is there such a thing as "luck"? Yes or no and why?
15. Dialogue analysis: Henry to Maria without knowing the facts: "Everything will be fine." Generally speaking, should a person always tell the truth in serious situations? Yes or no and why?
16. Analysis: Maria dreams horrible dreams. The presenter may want to make a presentation on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). What do you think is the best way to work with PTSD?
17. What does the movie "The Impossible" teach young people?