TGIMMuptown

January 5

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, January 5, Christmas Weekday

MATTHEW 4:12-17,23-25

Helping People

Prayerthoughts

a. Jesus took up the “job” of John the Baptist. Studying my work right now, what are some areas that I can do better than I am?

b. What do I consider my hometown? Thinking of my life, what are some good things that I should remember from my hometown?

c. Jesus is the light that was predicted by Isaiah. How have I made Jesus the light in my life?

d. From the very beginning of the Gospel, Jesus preached repentance. In my own life, what am I most sorry for in the past? What should I work on most of all right now and into the future?

e. He went around helping people. Do I help the people in my life as much as I should?

f. Jesus had many followers. I am one of them, of course, and has my attitude shown that in the way I live?

g. My prayerthoughts….

Today, I will read 1 John 3:22-4:6 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE CHRISTIAN DIRECTIVE

+ One of the problems that we have as human beings when it comes to reform

- is that we talk a good line

- we say the words that are supposed to be said

- but we are not consistent in following through with them

+ One of those elements of Christian reform is the love of each other

- it is a prime area for a Christian

- as the first letter of John says it:

“Let us love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it.”

- human nature was obviously the same in the first century as it is now

+ A person who is able to love in deed and truth could easily be called “genuine”

- or as the Gospel says—a “true” person

- Jesus called Nathanael a true child of Israel in whom there was no duplicity, and therefore he chose him as one of his Apostles

+ The obvious religious application for us is that we have to be genuine, true, in our love for each other

- the first letter of John says some rather striking things about that love

- the lack of it, namely hating, is comparable to murder

- Jesus makes the same comparison in the Sermon on the Mount

- that is a very strong statement, especially given the fact that there are a number of people who come close to hating other people

+ Further, the letter says that the world will hate us for trying to love universally

- setting up that split between the Christian and the world

- in the Johannine letters and Gospel, the two will be at odds

- one sees this all the time in the media that everyone watches and listens to

- revenge and hatred are constantly the motivation for behavior

+ The letter points out that as a result of not merely talking about it,

- we have to do something: if your brother (or sister) is in need, help him/her

- so that there ought to be measurable helps that we show to others

- measurable in time, in money, and in effort

- to help others in some way

“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

- St. John Neumann is an excellent example of one who gave measurable helps to others

- and we still see those helps in the Catholic school system that he and St. Elizabeth Seton (yesterday’s feast) set up.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Uptown Funk" -- Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

DON'T BELIEVE ME, JUST WATCH

The Gospel

MATTHEW 11:2-6

When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to [Jesus] with the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf here, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

Gospelthink: My followers told John that all they had to do was see to understand that I am the Messiah. Do my words and deeds show that I am a Christian?

"Come on, dance, jump on it; if you’re sexy, flaunt it; if you’re freaky then own it. Don’t brag about it, come show me. Don’t believe me, just watch."

It is true that Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' song "Uptown Funk" is a dance song. A dance song that repeats words over and over often does not have much meaning when it comes to living well. Of course, that is not to say that dancing itself is not a good thing. It is. Often it is the perfect way to relax and just as often, to show a deeper love between two people.

It is also true, however, that a dance song does not usually have many deep thoughts that can direct life. But every once in a while, some of the words--few as they are--of such a song say something from which Christians can learn. Such is Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' song "Uptown Funk." In words spoken to someone who is only observing the dancing, they sing in effect: don't just believe or brag about something, do it! The man basically tells others that they do not have to believe that he can dance, but that they should watch him actually do it. Incidentally, the music video is an excellent dance video.

The idea can be expressed in Scriptural terms by saying that sometimes we have to do more than believe. Sometimes we must look at the facts which will speak for themselves. So, Jesus tells John the Baptist's messengers in Matthew's Gospel to look and listen to what he is doing. The facts are not merely a "belief" that show he is the "one who is to come." His words and actions give him away. Jesus certainly wanted people to have faith, but he also knew that at at times one needed more than faith.

Christians are people rooted in a belief system, a vision that covers everything they say, do and even think. But part of that belief must include action. For example, If all we do is believe that we should "love our neighbor," it will accomplish very little. But if we not only believe it, but show it at the same time in our words and actions and thoughts, then and only then have we honestly captured the message of Jesus. In effect, Jesus is saying to his followers: "Don't just believe me, do it!" Only then will we discover the life Jesus wants.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son wanted us to believe in him, and certainly that is part of our spirituality, but he wanted us to follow him in our lives as well. We must learn from our belief in him, carrying out that belief in actions. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Sometimes we must show our belief and not merely talk about it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. John the Baptist may have expected Jesus to be a Messiah who would establish an army who was going to punish people who did not believe. Why do you think that Jesus did not use force to bring about his Kingdom?
2. Text analysis: "Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." What is the meaning of the sentence?
3. Text analysis: "If you're freaky, then own it." What is the meaning of the sentence?
4. Why is "bragging" not a good idea when among friends?
5. Often when a person asks another to "believe" something about themselves, they may not be entirely honest. Do you agree with the statement? Yes or no and why?
6. What is the meaning of the title of the song, "Uptown Funk"?
7. Do most people think that "dancing" is a good thing? Yes or no and why?
8. Do most adults think that the "dancing" that young people do is a good thing? Yes or no and why?
9. What is your opinion about "dancing lessons" for couples?
10. The meditation gives one example showing that action is important. Give another example showing that faith and action are important.
11. If you had to choose the most important action of a Christian, what would it be?
12. What does the song "Uptown Funk" teach young people?