aqua1

July 10

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, July 10

MATTHEW 10:7-15
I tell you how to "journey" in this world.

Prayerthoughts
a. Obviously, I cannot heal the sick in my acquaintance. But do I show signs of personal concern—a card, a visit, etc.—to the people that I know who are ill?

b. The Lord tells me that I am to give without concern for cost, that is, to give without expecting anything in return. In my giving to others, what is my motivation?

c. Jesus wanted his Apostles to travel “lite” because he did not want material things to hold back the message that they were to preach. As I live in the world, are there material things that are holding me back from God’s presence?

d. Jesus realizes that the Apostles will face rejection, and rather than talk against those who rejected them or threaten them, he tells them simply to shake the dust from their feet, or in other words, just leave and go to the next situation. Often I cannot do that—I would rather seek out some type of revenge. What is the area in my life where I am most prone to revenge?

e. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will write a prayer for all missionaries in our world.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

GIVING TO OTHERS

+ The story of Joseph continues in the first reading today

- Judah explains to Joseph the whole story of how they got down to Egypt without Judah knowing who he was talking to

- Joseph finally broke down and told his brothers who he was

- and Joseph makes the statement that was indicative of how God works with difficult situations:

It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.

- that is, God always directs things for the better

+ In fact, God through Jesus continues to direct our redemption

- in the Gospel, Matthew continues to speak what has been called the “missionary discourse”/ sermon

- announce to the Israelites, Jesus says, that they must take part in the kingdom of God

- the secret of the spiritual life—accepting the kingdom of God

+ What is important as we accept that kingdom is the way we are to behave on the journey

- the Apostles are given tremendous power—

…cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons…

- what would we do with that power?

- what would we do if we had the power to do anything we want?

- what the Apostles are to do, as Jesus sees it, as sort of a conclusion to all the power they have, according to Jesus is to…..give:

Without cost you are to give.

- give to others, make their lives better

- in fact, Jesus says, take nothing for your own interests

- do it all for others: that is to be your one concentration

- and even if they don’t listen to you

- don’t call down fire and brimstone

- although we’re led to believe that they could have

- he simply says: leave and let God take care of it

+ One of the gifts of the spiritual life that we are called to

- is that of giving, being generous to others

- as we try to become closer to the Lord,

- we have to learn the art of giving to other people.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Aquaman" -- beginning session

CHOSEN TO LEAD

The Gospel

MATTHEW 16:17-19

MATTHEW 16:17-19

Jesus said to Peter in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Gospelthink: I chose Peter to lead the Church. I have been chosen to be a true Christian in all that I do.

Having met quite by accident, lighthouse keeper Thomas Curry and Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis began a romantic relationship. They had a son Arthur but after an attack from Atlanna's commandos who demanded her return to Atlantis, she finally went back promising Thomas that she would return. Arthur grew up, displaying some natural tendencies toward the ocean creatures and toward doing good after freeing some crewmen from pirates. Believing that the people of Atlantis killed his mother, Arthur was not moved to help fight against his half-brother Orm who was about to attack the surface world. But when he and his father are almost killed in an attack and after being invited by Princess Mera to join her and Prince Nereus' followers to fight against Orm, as Aquaman, he joins the battle.

Perhaps the most important call of the leaders who would follow and help Jesus was the call of Peter. Jesus apparently recognized in Peter a quality of leadership that the other Apostles and membership of the young Christian community would recognize. As can be seen from various places throughout the Gospels, Peter's appointment was not without difficulty since his personality often "got in the way" of what he was chosen to do. But he accepted the responsibility of being the "rock" for the new group of followers who were dedicated to Jesus.

Arthur Curry, whom we know as Aquaman was also a chosen man to lead. His mother, of course, was the connection to Atlantis, and it would seem that Arthur would be the natural choice to be the king of the kingdom. As seen in the fantasy tale, it was indeed the final outcome of the adventure. But there were ups and downs throughout his ascendance to power. Gradually he came to realize that he was chosen to lead, especially after he discovered that his mother was in favor of the choice he made to be a leader.

The obvious application for us who do not have the fantasy-power and life that Arthur possessed is a part of maturity defined to be the choice to lead ourselves and others. It may not consist of fighting with a trident that can ward off all danger, but it does consist of being a leader in the midst of a world in need of people who are not afraid to stand for what is right.

In our world made up of so many choices and opportunities, we are called to some type of leadership, at least to better ourselves. There will always be blocks along the way, but it is part of a good life pattern to do the best that we can given the circumstances in which we live.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son chose people from his time to help with the direction of the beginnings of the church that would follow You. May we recognize that we are truly chosen to be leaders in our own environment as we try to be the type of people you want us to be. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Some people are chosen to lead others to what is good.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 67 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. What are the essential characteristics of leadership?
3. Peter's personality sometimes blocked the way for him to be the leader he should have been. What personality blocks destroy the concept of leadership?
4. At what age should most people understand their need to be leaders?
5. In what areas can young people show that they are leaders?
6. In general, do you think that the different leaders of the nations you are aware of are doing a good job of leadership? Yes or no and why?
7. In general, what is the best way to "better ourselves"?
8. Scene analysis: Aquaman does not help David Kane to live. Should he have done something to help him. Yes or no and why?
9. Dialogue analysis: Queen Atlanna asked Aquaman whether he was afraid. After Aquaman said "yes," she said that he was ready for leadership. Whys is fear necessary to lead?