TGIMMjack1

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Friday, July 18

MATTHEW 12:1-8
Listen to my words and live.

Prayerthoughts
a. Our Sabbath day is Sunday. In general, have I kept holy our Sabbath Day?

b. Jesus could see that an exception was given in the past to accommodate people, showing that people were more important than law. Have I shown a sincere love for all people in my immediate circle? How can I?

c. Jesus is lord of the Sabbath. What does the statement mean to me?

d. Jesus tells us that “mercy” is more important than temple sacrifices. How do I define “mercy”? Do I show “mercy” to the people with whom I come in contact?

e. My prayerthoughts….

Today I will read Exodus, chapter 11, and write
an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS AND WHAT HE TAUGHT

+ In Matthew’s Gospel, the eventual reason why Jesus is executed is his disagreement with the Pharisees

- especially his statements about the law

- Jesus is changing what is sacred to the Hebrew mind

- it was blasphemy to put anything above the law

- especially any person, as Jesus did:

There is something greater than the Temple here.

- referring to his divinity, of course

- it is also blasphemy to find fault with that law

- by allowing for exceptions even though they were indeed present in the past, as Jesus points out

- it was blasphemy to say that the law was inadequate:

- Jesus saying that it was mercy, and not the sacrifice required by law that is the important factor of religion

+ As shocking to the Pharisees as the statements of Jesus concerning the laws were,

- they now are guides for the Christian seeking to improve his/her spiritual life

- 1 – Jesus is more important than the law

- that is, the “attitude of Jesus” is to be sought after in every situation

- the law of the Church, with our thick commentaries and catechisms and lists of laws

- does not cover every circumstance

- whereas the “attitude of Jesus” does

- we gain that by studying his words, his actions and his life

- attempting as far as possible to get into his mind and just what his thinking was

- 2 – an essential element of the law is given here in the Gospel

- namely mercy

- even more important than the concept of offering sacrifice to God, that is, worship of God

- it is more important than Church, than the ritual of Church, than the worship of Church

- being merciful, kind, and open to other’s problems is at the very heart of our spirituality

+ We have to understand the action of God in the plagues sent on Egypt in that light

- God was open to the problems of the oppressed Israelites, God showing mercy to them

- God worked with Moses and the Israelites the way that was acceptable at that time, namely by death and killing

- the reading from Exodus is concerning the tenth plague, the most devastating, the one that the theology of the Church was to adopt as a symbol of what Jesus did for us

- Jesus changed the way of solving those types of problems, and introduced mercy, even with enemies, even if it meant defeat and death, as it did for him

+ Our spiritual lives are based on Jesus as our center

- and mercy as an essential element of it.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Jack Reacher" -- beginning session

RESPECT FOR THOSE WHO DEFEND

The Gospel

LUKE 7:2-10

LUKE 7:2-10

A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Gospelthink: I am amazed at the faith of this person who is not an Israelite. Is my faith just as strong as the centurion's?

Jack Reacher in the movie named after him was an intriguing man. He was able to determine what was truly right and wrong, but he had his own type of justice. He had worked in the Army in the Military Police Corps, but after his Army career, he had dedicated his life to helping those who needed help and punishing those who should be punished, whether the law agreed or not. James Barr, also a military man had suffered some mental problems because of his work in the military had run into Reacher in his tour of duty. Knowing that Reacher would be honest in the way he studied any issue, he asked for his help. The movie reminds us that we must show respect to our military, but it also conveys the difficulties connected with those who defend our country.

How would Jesus treat the military establishment of today, especially one as involved and comprehensive as the United States Military? We know that Jesus had some pacifist feelings but we also know that he saw the need for self-defense. During his time on earth, he no doubt ran into military people quite often. At one time, he had some interaction with a centurion in the Roman military. The man apparently was very good to the Jewish people, even helping build the local synagogue. As Jesus did with everyone he met, he showed the highest respect for him, healing his servant. More than that, Jesus could see the man's faith, even calling the Jewish people's attention to the way he acted with faith.

Whatever Jesus felt about the military, those who follow him will be very involved with the military as they live on this earth. Some will make a career of it, some will only serve a short while, and every citizen, Christian or otherwise, will be aware of the military. As Jack Reacher points out in the movie, some will use the military for their own good, but most will understand the duty they have to defend their country. In Reacher's mind, James Barr in the movie was a man who wanted the legal justification to kill people. But in Reacher's understanding of things, even Barr deserved justice, no matter how disturbed he was.

No matter what the motivation of the person who enters military service, serving in the military is not easy. Defending our country takes discipline and sacrifice, and sometimes when military personnel are sent into places that are not safe, it demands the highest courage. They deserve our profound appreciation for what they do, and when wounded either physically or mentally as James Barr in the movie, we must help them as much as we are able.

But, perhaps there is another thought, even as our nation shows them gratitude. Even as we agree with the need for a military in our country, every Christian should be thinking about and acting with the thought of peace. Jesus praised the faith of the centurion, perhaps saying that his faith could lead him to understand peace a little more. You and I are called to be peaceful people even in the midst of all the turmoil of our world.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son felt strongly about all the people of our world when he was with us as a man. He worked with military people, teaching them and us the value of faith, and as a result, the value of peace. May we learn it well. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We should honor those who have serve in the military, and we should work at all times for peace.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 62 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. A centurion in the time of Jesus was a military officer in charge of a 100 men, probably in the service of Herod Antipas, ruler at the time of Jesus. As can be seen from the Gospels, Herod was not an exemplary man. How do we show respect for the people who lead us when we do not agree with what they are doing?
3. The centurion was obviously a humble man. In your opinion, what does "humility" mean?
4. The centurion obviously cared about others, even someone who was a "slave" to him. What are the most important elements of "caring for another"?
5. Analysis: Jesus is amazed at the centurion's faith. What is your definition of faith?
6. In your opinion, how should a Christian feel about war?
7. Do you agree with the position of a conscientious objector, that is someone who refuses to join the military based on his/her beliefs? Yes or no and why?
8. Do you think most of those who join the military do it with the idea of defending our country? Yes or no and why?
9. How does our "faith" lead to a better understanding of "peace"?
10. Does our country treat people in the military with proper respect? Yes or no and why?
11. How do we act with the thought of peace in our world?
12. Analysis: Are Americans too lax with gun laws? Yes or no and why?
13. Analysis: Why are there so many shootings in America?
14. Scene analysis: Barr is framed for the killings. In your opinion, are there many people in prison who are unjustly accused? Yes or no and why?
15. Analysis: the character of Jack Reacher. What is the best way to describe him?
16. Analysis: Barr was not accused of his earlier killings because the Army chose not to pursue it. Do you think that this happens much in the military? Yes or no and why?
17. Dialogue analysis: Reacher says that everyone joins the military with one of four purposes in mind: family trade, patriot, need a job, legal means to kill. Do you agree? Yes or no and why?
18. Scene analysis: Why did Reacher want Helen Rodin to visit the victims?

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