INTENTION

July 1
[media presentation below] GospelThink Tuesday, July 1 MATTHEW 8:23-27 I want you to understand my words and actions. Prayerthoughts a. The violent storm may very well be symbolic of the actions of the world. Have I allowed myself to be completely overcome by the problems that are part of my life without even thinking that the Lord can help? b. When we realize the problems that overcome us and we finally cry out to the Lord, will I continue to turn to the Lord even after I receive the Lord’s help? c. In the different serious moments of my life, do I turn to the Lord, trusting that the Lord will really help me, and believe it with all of my heart? d. The Lord speaks to me his words to the apostles saying to us that we have little faith. Is my belief in God so real that it affects everything in my life? e. I am surrounded by the beauty (and sometimes violence) of creation. Do I allow that world to move me to praise my God? f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will read Genesis, chapter 19, and write an important thought from it.
Some Thoughts on the Liturgy WHAT SORT OF MAN IS THIS? + The question of the Gospel is a good one to think about for a while: “What sort of man is this?” - of course, for the apostles who were asking the question, - it was one of strong significance - they were in the process of choosing to give up everything in order to follow this man - they had already given up their work and families in order to pursue the ministry that he was suggesting - they were beginning to get the idea of what the Kingdom of God that he preached was all about - and so, they really wanted to know what kind of man he was—what made him tick, why he said and did the things that he said and did + For us, knowing and believing already that Jesus is the Son of God both human and divine, it means something different - for us, “what kind of man is this” is a question about his teaching and his life - as guide for our spiritual lives, what are the virtues that he shows that we should imitate - what are the words that we should truly listen to more than any other words that we hear all the time + And, of course, there are many such virtues and many such sayings as recorded in the Scriptures - today a couple of them presented by the liturgy for our consideration - 1 – from the first reading and the book of Genesis, we hear of God’s consideration of one good person - Lot asks of God to be protected from the justifiable wrath of God - and God answers his prayers - Jesus gave us a different image of God in the New Testament, namely a God who has compassion on the people - but even the rather severe God of the Old Testament has consideration for the truly good people--as Lot was - giving rise to the thought: as long as we are truly trying to do the right thing, the Lord will be part of our lives - Jesus spoke constantly about people who were trying to do what was right, and how the Lord was with them -2 – and from the Gospel, Jesus tells us to trust in him, a rather common theme in the Gospels - “Why are you frightened” he asks of the apostles - urging them on to greater faith and trust in him - this is a virtue that is not at all easy - because we really want to depend on ourselves and to trust what we can accomplish - but Jesus here and elsewhere tells us to depend on God’s providence and at the same time to keep working for what we know is right + What sort of man is this? - he is the Son of God who counsels us in the liturgy today - to keep trying to do the things that makes us good, and the Lord will continue to be with us - and to keep trusting in God’s help, even as we do the best that we can.
MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: "Intentions" -- Justin Bieber featuring Quavo COMPLIMENT FOR NO REASON

The Gospel

LUKE 1:39-45

LUKE 1:39-45

Thereupon Mary set out, proceeding in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah, where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.”

Gospelthink: Elizabeth recognized the importance of my earthly mother. Do I recognize the importance of my own family enough?

"Picture perfect, you don’t need no filter, gorgeous, make ‘em drop dead, you a killer. Shower you with all my attention--these are my only intentions. Shout out to your Mom and Dad for making you, standing ovation, they did a great job raising you. When I create, you’re my muse, that kind of smile that makes the news. Can’t nobody throw shade on your name in these streets. You make it easy to choose, you got a mean touch I can’t refuse."

John the Baptist leaped in his mother’s womb because the world was about to change. Elizabeth could sense it as Mary visited her, and so she showered her with true compliments. Mary was indeed blessed among all women, she was to be the mother of the Son of God, and she trusted that the Lord's words would be fulfilled in her. Elizabeth knew that Mary would help her as she gave birth to John the Baptist, but she knew most of all who Mary was and what she meant to the world.

Justin Bieber and Quavo's song "Intentions" sings a man's compliments to his girlfriend. The man in the relationship wants to shower her with all of his attention and that was his only intention. There was no "ulterior motive." He did not want anything in return. He wanted to simply say what he believed--the lady deserves to have compliments simply because they were the truth in his eyes.

In a love relationship, perhaps one of the actions that a couple will overlook is the simple statement of a compliment to the other. Giving a compliment is easy to do, but it must be honest; the one making the compliment must want nothing for him/her self as a result of the compliment. The compliment must be "free standing" so to speak, that is, a statement that is the honest truth and no other reason for saying it. As they sing in their song, "these are my only intentions."

The situation applies to every day living as well, maybe even more so than in a love relationship. There are many situations in our own lives when we could give compliments to someone else, whether romantically involved or not. In fact, an argument could be made that the reason why there is so much anger in a person's life is that he/she does not receive or give enough compliments for the good things that are part of every life.

In the thought of wanting better relationships with people, giving compliments to others is important. If we were better at doing it, perhaps our lives would be better.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, the example of Mary the mother of Jesus is so important for a Christian. She deserved the compliments that were given to her. Give us the grace to recognize when we should compliment another. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Part of every good relationship includes true compliments to each other.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Intentions" teach young people?
2. In the Gospel passage, it is clear that Elizabeth knew the importance that should be given to Mary. There are important people in my life: do I give them the attention they deserve?
3. Is it true that when we compliment someone else, we are looking for something in return? Yes or no and why?
4. Do you believe that people in a love relationship compliment each other as much as they should? Yes or no and why?
5. What are some situations in our everyday living in which we can compliment others?
6. Is the meditation correct in saying that an angry person has a difficult time giving compliments? Yes or no and why?
7. [Personal suggestion: today give a compliment to someone whom you have not complimented for a while.]