LUKE 22:35-38

[Jesus] said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. He said to them, “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.  I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment. Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”

Gospelthink: There is violence in this world, and you must face it. Do I control my own temper in the matters of this world?

"Robert's got a quick hand. He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan. He's got a rolled cigarette hanging out his mouth; he's a cowboy kid. He found a six shooter gun in his Dad’s closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don't even know what. But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you. All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, outrun my gun. All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, faster than my bullet." 

According to Mark Foster, the leader of the group Foster the People, the song "Pumped Up Kicks" is about a troubled and delusional young person with homicidal thoughts. Attempting to get inside the mind of an isolated, psychotic young person, the lyrics of the song were written to bring awareness to the issue of gun violence in our youth culture which the group feels is close to an epidemic. Such an epidemic, Foster says, is brought about because of a lack of family, lack of love and isolation.

Jesus realized the violence of his day which might be somewhat comparable to the violence that we see around us, only with different weapons. He also realized that the weapons of violence had to be a last resort. In Luke's Gospel, he tells his disciples to have swords handy because there were some who wanted to harm them, and they may have had to defend themselves. But in truth, as can be seen by the rest of the Gospel, Jesus was much more interested in helping those who needed help than he was in defending himself.

That we are in violent times is hardly a point that must be proved. Songs such as "Pumped Up Kicks" realize it; our news reports show it all the time. Working with alarms and locks and the like, the fact that we often must defend ourselves is something that we live with daily. Something that every Christian must realize is that people get their "kicks" from hurting others or themselves. Violence exists in our homes, in our schools, or in the communities in which we live. It comes in the form of verbal and physical abuse, or revenge and retaliation, or simply being mean and unkind. We see it. We feel it.

The Christian must not only be aware of the violence. The Christian must want to do something about it. Jesus was a pacifist in practice. He knew that he might have to defend himself, but his main interest was in eradicating the violence so that there would be no reason to defend or protect. Those who follow his teachings are called to do the same. Perhaps the Christian can do something about the lack of family, lack of love and isolation that cause evils like gun violence. Perhaps there are some things that the Christian follower can do in order to bring to fulfillment the perfect kingdom that Jesus wanted.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son knew violence because there were those in his world that wanted to harm him and his followers. It was violence that finally killed him. Help us be aware of the violence around us, and give us the courage to want to do something about it. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Christians must be aware of the violence that is around us, and do what we can to prevent it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How do you feel about keeping guns and ammunition (in separate locked places) in the home?
2. In general, do you think that young people have greater access to guns than in years past? Yes or no and why?
3. Do you think that parents should teach their children how to fire a gun? Yes or no and why?
4. Text analysis: "He's a cowboy kid."  What is the meaning of the phrase?
5. Text analysis: "Kids with the pumped up kicks." What is the meaning of the phrase?
6. In our world today, it is clear that guns in high school are a concern. In your opinion, what is the best way to take care of the problem?
7. Is gun violence a concern in your area? Yes or no and why?
8. In your opinion, are today's young people more confused and "messed up" than in previous years? Yes or no and why?
9. Mark Foster of the group Foster the People believes that gun violence is at an epidemic stage. Do you agree? Yes or no and why?
10. What are the principal causes of gun violence?
11. It is Catholic doctrine that one can always defend oneself. What are the rules which should govern self-defense? (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 2263-2267.)
12. The meditation lists some forms of violence in our world today. What is the greatest act of violence that you know of? Why?
13. Given the fact that tragedies such as school shootings still happen, what can you do as a Christian to help eradicate them?
14. What does the song "Pumped Up Kicks" teach young people?    

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