february13

January 12

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, January 12

MARK 1:14-20

Repent and Believe

Prayerthoughts

a. “Gospel” means “good news.” Is the Gospel “good news” to me? In what way do I show this in my life?

b. Among Jesus’s first words in the Gospel of Mark are “Repent and believe.” Notice what is first. If we repent first, we will acknowledge that we are sinners, and therefore have a need for a belief system. Do I sufficiently acknowledge my sinfulness every day?

c. In what way is a Christian (therefore, me) a “fisher of men”?

d. Notice the immediacy of the disciples leaving their work. Do I work at trying to follow the Lord, that is, doing the work of God/Church/religion in an immediate manner?

e. In my life, where have I seen my Christian principles coming into conflict with my lifestyle? What have I done about it?

f. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read 1 Samuel 1:1-8 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

REPENT, THEN BELIEVE

+ The first readings of the weekday liturgies over the next number of weeks comes from the Hebrew Scripture/Old Testament books of first and second Samuel

- they contain many stories that we can easily identify with as they present the life and times 1000-plus years before Jesus

- the book gives us the stories of Saul and especially David, arguably the third most important person in the Hebrew Scriptures (Abraham, Moses, David)

- here, we are setting up the story of Samuel, since Hannah will be the mother of Samuel

- and we look at the sin of Peninnah who ridiculed Hannah

+ The Gospel gives us Jesus’ primary formula for the Christian life as we begin the presentation of Mark’s Gospel, and among the first words that are recorded that Jesus ever said—and therefore quite significant:

Repent, and believe in the Gospel.

+ The order of that directive of Jesus is quite important: repent first, then believe

- because if we repent first, we get into the habit of recognizing that we have a tendency from our human nature to sin or evil, and we get into the habit of reforming and repenting

- if we believe first, the chances are that we will simply accept the principles of Jesus in name only without acquiring the habit of repenting

+ I personally believe that this is one of the major problems—if not the major problem—for the believer of today—many Christians have said that they believe, but they haven’t established any pattern of repentance,

- that is, they are not convinced that they are sinners,

- and therefore, they are not convinced that they really have to reform some things

- and as a result, they do not think that they have to change

- and they end up with the contradictory phenomenon of saying that they are believers, and at the same time, allow some evil in their lives that they refuse to get rid of

+ Our profession of faith begins with “We believe”

- but it is necessary that we have said before it, “we repent”,

- and we do that with every Mass as we begin Mass with the understanding that we are sinners

- today’s Gospel echoes that, saying that we must believe, but that we must repent first

- then, when the time comes when we will decide what we should do, we will not only know what Jesus wants, but do what Jesus wants.

MEDIA PRESENTATION-

Movie: "Gravity" -- beginning session

ADAPTING TO CHANGE

The Gospel

LUKE 4:21-30

Jesus said to them [in the synagogue at Nazareth], “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” Jesus said, "No prophet gains acceptance in his native place. Indeed, let me remind you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heavens remained closed for three and a half years and a great famine spread over the land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but to a widow of Zarephath near Sidon. Recall, too, the many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one was cured except Naaman the Syrian. At these words the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. They rose up and expelled him from the town, leading him to the brow of the hill on which it was built and intending to hurl him over the edge. But he went straight through their midst and walked away.

Gospelthink: The People of Nazareth turned against me because I tried to broaden their idea of faith. In my spiritual life, do I consider carefully the belief of others?

Dr. Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first shuttle mission in the movie "Gravity" was an expert in her field. She had a very good idea of what she had to do in order to repair the piece of equipment on the Hubble Space Telescope. She also had the intense training that every astronaut who works in space receives. Accompanied by a veteran astronaut, Matt Kowalski, they knew what to expect, but they also knew that they were working in space far above the earth. They knew of the possibility of danger in their work, but they never expected the freak accident that sent some debris into their orbit, destroying their ship. It also killed everyone on the mission except them and left them stranded in space. Resigned to their new mission of simply staying alive, Stone and Kowalski adapted to their new task as best they could.

It is clear in the Gospels that Jesus had to be prepared for changes in his approach to establishing the Kingdom that he desired. At the very beginning of his preaching, perhaps hoping to set a foundation for his future in his home town of Nazareth, at first he received abundant praise. But after his first sermon, his own people turned on him, chasing him away and for all practical purposes, Jesus was never to return again to Nazareth. Throughout his attempts to establishing the Kingdom, he met opposition, and had to make significant changes.

In the space program, astronauts were taught to expect the unexpected. The technology was such that even with backup systems to backup systems, their attempts to work in space were full of danger. The movie "Gravity" presents one such unexpected danger with an end-result of possible loss of an entire crew together with their space vehicle. The unexpected became the reality.

One of the necessary parts of human living, because of the very nature of humanity, is the possibility of a change in plans, even plans that have been carefully made. Such changes happen with plans that matter little, and sometimes even with plans that literally change the nature of one's future. Immature people in general will not be ready for such changes, causing anger and resentment. Mature people will be able to adjust to the changes, even to the point of making them part of their "future plan."

Life at any time can become difficult. Likewise, life at any time can become easy. The quality of one's life depends on how one adjusts in both moments of time.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you have taught us that our lives will change because of the fact that we are human. Help us adjust to everything that happens so that we will always follow your will. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Mature people will always be prepared for a last minute change of plans.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 43 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. The evangelist Luke presents Jesus's ministry mainly as fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures' prophecy. What do you consider most important in Jesus' ministry? Why?
3. What is your definition of a prophet? Who are the modern prophets in our world today?
4. Jesus refers to the widow of Zarephath and Naaman, both non-Jews. This is a problem for the Jewish audience, and so they turn on Jesus. Most commentators agree that we still have a problem with prejudice in our world. Do you agree and why or why not?
5. What is your opinion about the space program in your country at the present time? Is it good or bad, that is, helpful to humankind? Yes or no and why?
6. Project: the presenter may want to outline the space program and the dangers that result, including the tragedies that have occurred.
7. Why are immature people not ready for significant changes in their lives?
8. Scene analysis: Kowalski releases hold of the tether that will kill him in space, but will save Stone. It is an act of martyrdom for another. What is your definition of a "martyr" in today's world?
9. Scene analysis: Not only does Kowalski sacrifice his life for Stone, but gives her instructions of what to do to get into the Chinese space module. Kowalski is not only a "martyr", but can be called a "hero" as well. Who are the "heroes" in our world today?
10. Scene analysis: Problem after problem surfaces as Stone works in the Chinese space station. Close to despair, she continues to work. She will later give into despair, only to come out of it again. Despair is a common problem in our world today. What is the best way to overcome despair?