sayyou

July 6

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Sunday, July 6, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

LUKE 10:1-12,17-20

The 72

Prayerthoughts

a. What is the most important message that I should give to others?

b. Part of my prayer should be that the Holy Spirit direct others to teach the Christian way.

c. “Lambs among wolves…” What is the biggest opposition to the Christian way in our world today? What can I do about it?

d. “Carry no bag…” The Lord’s message to others is an urgent one. What is most important in my life at the present time?

e. Do I consider myself a “peaceful person”? What are some instances in which I can be more “peace giving”?

f. As a “missionary,” my principal message is the Kingdom of God is present, that is, that we must behave in a truly Christian way. Considering my situation right now, how am I preaching the Kingdom to my acquaintances?

g. “Shake the dust....” If people do not like me for whatever reason, am I a person who wants “revenge”? In this area, what are some places where I should change my attitude?

h. My principal “joy” ought to be that the Lord is present in my life. Is it clear that I am a truly “joyful” person?

I. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read the letter to the Galatians, chapter 6 and write an important thought.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE 72 AND THE LIFESAVING STATION

+ The “72 others” that Luke speaks of here in the Gospel is a group of people that we don’t know much about

- they were a group that Jesus sent out to the places that he intended to visit, and they were to prepare people for the kingdom of God

+ I think that that is a good description of what we are all called to do as Christians today

- prepare for Jesus by announcing that the kingdom of God is here

- we might be called the “modern 72”

- “preparing for the kingdom of God” means in today’s world that we must be people who lead ourselves and others to an understanding of the presence of God in our lives

- as you study that and study our church history, it was the ultimate reason of why people set up the Church as we know it today

- that’s what our Church should be all about—creating the presence of God in this world today

+ But what has happened?

- we should study this allegory carefully:

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little lifesaving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost. This wonderful little station saved many lives, so that it became famous.

Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little lifesaving station grew.

Presently, some members became unhappy that the building was so crude, so simple. Gradually, beds replaced cots and good furniture appeared in the enlarged building.

The station itself came to be decorated beautifully, and was used as a club. The members became less interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so lifeboat crews were hired to do that work, especially when the people whose lives were saved were people who were different from the people of the station.

Soon, there was a split in the club membership. Those members who wanted lifesaving to be its primary purpose were voted down by the others. They were told that if they wanted to save lives, they could begin their own station down the coast—which they did.

As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving station was founded.

History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit the seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along the shore.

Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown.

[story adapted]

+ The chances are that the Church has become nothing more than an exclusive club that has a history

- and, of course, that is not what we are called to be

- we are given the task of “the 72” to go out and prepare others for Jesus to enter their lives

- isn’t it true that too many people have allowed our Church to be something like a club

- interested only in themselves, and not worrying about anyone else

- evil has entered into “the 72” and changed the life-saving station into a club

- and now a lot of people are “drowning” because shipwrecks are still quite common

+ The Catholic Church is a lifesaving station—we make it that way by preaching and living the presence of God in our midst, in Lawrence, KS

- we may be doing that a little, but we can always do it better.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Say You Won't Let Go" -- James Arthur

EVIDENCE THAT IT IS PERMANENT

The Gospel

MATTHEW 3:7-10

MATTHEW 3:7-10

When John the Baptist saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good that is evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Gospelthink: My friend John reminds you that if you are good, you have to produce evidence of it in your life. What evidence am I showing that I am a good person?

"I knew I loved you, but you’d never know ‘cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go. I knew I needed you but I never showed. But I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old. Just say you won’t let go. So I wrote this song for you. Now everybody knows that it’s just you and me. Just say you won’t let go."

John the Baptist knew all about permanent commitments because he had made one even to the point of death. Called to be the precursor of the Messiah, he was committed completely to his job. Consequently, he demanded such a commitment of people who said that they were committed to religion and the pursuit of virtue. He called the Pharisees and Sadducees to such a permanence because in John's mind, their job was to do what they could to promote religious authenticity. So, he tells them "Produce good that is evidence" of your job.

Comparable commitments should be treated with the same respect. In romantic situations in our lives, commitments are made all the time. But only some of them will be regarded as permanent. Some are said to be permanent, but because of the human condition, they do not remain permanent. One of the signs that it will remain is to make a promise that is impossible to break. In a sense that is what the man in the relationship of the song "Say You Won't Let Go" does as he dedicates a song to his beloved. By doing it, he says that the commitment will be permanent because the song will never be "un-written."

Permanent commitments are serious business. They cannot be made carelessly. Only too often we find ourselves saying "permanent-like words" such as "forever" and "without end" and we do not mean them at all. Romantic heartaches are evidence that the permanent commitments are not kept much of the time.

John the Baptist made a commitment that could not be broken; his life was evidence that he would keep it; he wanted the religious leaders to do the same. James Arthur sings of a permanent commitment in his song that he can never break if he means what he says in the song. As we consider our permanent commitments of romantic love or love spelled out in lasting friendship or the like, we must review our intentions to see if our permanent commitments are as permanent as we say they are.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son's precursor John gave us an example and a guide to make permanent commitments to You. May we imitate His example, always giving evidence of the permanent commitments we make. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: When one makes a condition that is impossible to break, the relationship will be a permanent one.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1 What is your understanding of "repentance."
2. Do most Catholic Christians show the "repentance" they should? Yes or no and why?
3. What are some signs that a person is showing true repentance?
4. Analysis: In general, why are people "scared of letting go" of a relationship?
5. Why do many married couples not understand the permanent commitment connected with marriage?
6. In general, counselors argue against using words like "forever" and "never" by young people. Why do you think they argue this way?
7. In general, do you see any "exceptions" that can be made to permanent commitments? If so, what are the conditions for those "exceptions"?
8. What does the song "Say You Won't Let Go" teach young people?