TGIMMselma1

July 4

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, July 4

MATTHEW 9:9-13
The call of Matthew

Prayerthoughts
a. In my chosen way of living right now, in what ways am I following the Lord?

b. Matthew’s call ended in an immediate response to follow the Lord. How can I follow the Lord right now? What can I do better?

c. Answer the Pharisees: why did Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners? What can I learn from this?

d. How can I show more mercy toward the people around me?

e. In many ways I see myself as righteous in what I do, but in reality, there is sin in my life. How can I be better in the very near future?

f. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read Genesis, chapter 23 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

ADMITTING SINFULNESS

We should probably note right away that in the parallel passages to this Scripture in Mark and Luke’s Gospel, Matthew is called Levi, but there is a Matthew mentioned and John’s Gospel doesn’t mention him at all. The reason why is argued by scholars but there seems to be no reason except that Matthew was also known by the name of Levi.

That really doesn’t have that much effect on us, other than leading us to wonder, but the second reason why this is a challenging story is why Jesus called Matthew/Levi. Tax collectors were viewed by devout Jews as traitors because they served the Roman empire and since most Jews would not tolerate them, only sinners would associate with them. These days we might compare them to drug lords—very unsavory people, not honorable at all. Actually tax collectors were thieves, exacting more money than was necessary.

Not only did Jesus call him, but he actually ate with him and his sinner friends. Eating publicly with someone in Jesus’s time was saying that one was in close communion with whomever you are eating. And further, he asked Matthew/Levi to be one of the people closest to him. What Jesus did here was absolutely scandalous. Literally everyone felt that Jesus was doing something quite wrong.

But he did it and he tells us why he did it:

Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. … I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.

That last phrase puts us in sort of a bind because we really don’t want to be either righteous or sinners. We don’t want to be called righteous as Jesus used the term because that puts us in the area of false religion. And we don’t like to admit that we are sinners either. But that is the point of the Gospel passage. Being a sinner and doing something about it is what happens to anyone who really wants to follow Jesus. Matthew/Levi obviously discovered it. You and I have to understand it because it nothing less than the beginning of the spiritual life.

The problem is that many times we do not recognize that we are sinning because we simply refuse to recognize it. We don’t take the time to think about what we are doing. We don’t take the time to analyze—really analyze—the words that we say, we don’t take the time to study our lives, and ask the difficult questions—why did I do this or that, etc.

In the first reading, the Book of Genesis makes a big deal about remaining faithful to the Israelite race. You and I are called to be faithful to our Christian upbringing, and the way we do that is to first of all admit that we are sinners, and then follow the Lord in doing what he says to do.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Selma" -- beginning session

I MUST CONTINUE

The Gospel

LUKE 13:31-33

LUKE 13:31-33

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’”

Gospelthink: I did not want to give up my ministry before my time, even though I was in danger. What church ministry should I be involved in?

After Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he decided that peaceful non-violent confrontations were the only way to bring about true integration of the South. In particular, he was interested in removing the restrictions that had been placed on black voters. They had already received the right to vote in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but the restrictions were still present, in effect, blocking them from voting. He and the leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) decided that the best way to do it was by organized non-violent marches, all of which are shown in the movie "Selma." King emphasized that the black marchers and their supporters were to negotiate, demonstrate, and resist but were to go no further with any violence. The intention was to raise white consciousness by media exposure.

Perhaps there is no greater human temptation than to "get back at" people that have in some way hurt us or our families. But Jesus' directive to show no revenge (Matthew 5:39) is very clear and therefore sets up the truly Christian way of acting when we are hurt. Jesus not only said it, but he acted it out. In Luke's Gospel, when he is told that Herod wanted to kill him, he defiantly resisted what Herod wanted, but he did it with no thought of being revengeful.

Martin Luther King Jr. knew the mind of Jesus Christ. He knew that the true Christian would not seek revenge, but that did not mean that he could not resist in a non-violent way in order to negotiate for that which was right. He told his supporters that they were to negotiate, demonstrate and resist, but they were not to fight back.

You and I are given two lessons here by Martin Luther King Jr. who was guided by Jesus. One is that of working for what is right, but secondly, that we do it in a non-violent manner. Generally speaking, it is a difficulty for our human natures because we are almost naturally inclined to seek an "eye for an eye."

Our Christian heritage calls for us to work for peace in whatever way we can except by the use of violence. It is a lesson that most nations must still learn, even those who call themselves "Christian." More importantly, it is a directive that every Christian must make part of their lives.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, in many ways we are violent people, and need to listen more closely to Your Son who never calls us to revenge. Give us the grace to truly understand the message of non-violence. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Nonviolence is the only way to bring about true peace, but it is difficult because the desire to retaliate is very strong in the human being.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 60 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2.The presenter may want to offer an historical reflection on Herod and his family.
3. It is clear from the Gospel passage that Jesus will allow nothing to stand in the way of following what God wants in his life. In general, in today's world, what does it mean to follow God's will?
4. In the Gospel, only when Jesus goes to Jerusalem will he accomplish his task in life. What do you think Jesus wanted to do most of all while he was here on earth?
5. It is a fact that many Christians do not follow Jesus' directive to show no revenge. In your experience, where have you seen best enacted Jesus' desire for his followers to show no revenge?
6.The presenter may want to give a presentation on why the Jewish law allowed an "eye for an eye."
7. In your opinion, why is the achievement of true peace such a difficult undertaking?
8. In your opinion, does your country have a problem with segregation even today? Yes or no and why?
9. What can be done about the violence that exists with racist crimes?
10. Scene analysis: J. Edgar Hoover talking to President Johnson. As presented by the movie, both were wrong in their desire to hurt Martin Luther King Jr.. What can be done when the highest authority in the land is wrong?
11. Character analysis: Coretta Scott King. Considering what the movie presents, describe her role with respect to the work of her husband.
12. Scene analysis: King calls on Mahalia Jackson to "inspire" him. How can music help in life situations?
13. Scene analysis: King's sermons. He used his sermons to accomplish his goals. In general, what should a sermon accomplish in today's world?
14. Scene analysis: One of the non-violent demonstrators "fights back." This is the "natural" reaction to violence toward a person. In general, do you think that non-violence can be accomplished in today's world? Yes or no and why?
15. Analysis: the group called "Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee" were not in agreement with King and his movement. How strong is "jealousy" even among people who are trying to do good?
16. Analysis: Malcolm X and his violent opposition. In general, did "the violent approach" help the non-violence in the fight for integration? Yes or no and why?
17. Scene analysis: King's argument with President Johnson, refusing to "compromise." In your opinion, could King have accomplished his goals if he had tried to work a little more with President Johnson? Yes or no and why?