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June 12

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, June 12

MATTHEW 5:20-26
I call you to look at the anger that you show.

Prayerthoughts
a. Being “righteous” in Jesus’s mind has to do with much more than keeping a law. Is my life one of true love?

b. Is there anyone in my life right now with whom I am very angry? Is there any way that I can reconcile with that person?

c. Is my language toward some people especially toward those I do not like too strong? How can I be more gentle?

d. Jesus puts the decision to do something on me—“and you recall that your brother [or sister] has anything against you, go first and be reconciled.” I should spend some time thinking of the people like that in my life right now, and how can I say “I’m sorry.”

e. There is the possibility that I am “going to the altar,” that is a church-goer, and still holding a grudge. I should spend some time thinking about that possibility.

f. Jesus’s point is that I must always be working at reconciliation in my life.

g. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will send someone a note or email of my appreciation of them.

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Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE CONSIDERATION OF ANGER

+ One of the problems in America might be described as “being blinded by the god of this age” as Paul describes those who were opposing him

- our “god of this age” is much more of a problem probably than was Paul’s

- ours is surrounded by glitter and lots of things which satisfy our human wants—pleasure, power, and money

- which inevitably leads to dealings with others

+ In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus through Matthew begins his presentation of six moral principles of law with the consideration of our dealings with others, and in particular, with the possibility of anger

- Jesus says that the law against murder is correct, but inadequate for the level of ordinary life that people are normally involved in

- what we have to consider is the way we act around all our brothers and sisters on earth

- like our anger, abusive language, and the way that we can hold others in contempt

+ A number of conclusions for our consideration here as we study this Gospel:

- 1 – it is no accident probably that this is the first of the six moral principles that Jesus and Matthew present

- righteousness or holiness can only come about if love of neighbor is at its very core

- and the fact is that we often have a problem with anger

- with some people, it is the core problem that they have as they face the world

- 2 – at the close of this Gospel passage on anger, Jesus and Matthew dwell on the fact that we have to go out of our way to settle with an opponent, that is, make peace

- there are a number of people in our world who deliberately refuse to make peace with others

- we should carefully look at our own involvement with the lack of or the bringing about of peace

- 3 – a third consideration is the incredible statement that this taking care of our anger against another—this true love of neighbor—

- is more important than worship of God

- in our country, we have a number of people who go to Church

- it is a truly gratifying action, even though there are many more who could go

- in terms of that, what Jesus is saying here is that there must be a presumption that all of those people who go to Church have been reconciled with everyone else

- obviously an ideal, but something everyone should work toward

+ The “god of this age” is a very strong force, leading often to anger and dissatisfaction with others

- Jesus and Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount tell us that we must carefully study our own involvement with anger.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Die With a Smile" – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

A POSITIVE PEACE

The Gospel

MATTHEW 10:12-13

Jesus said: "As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you."

Gospelthink: I want you to be primarily a peaceful person. Am I peaceful in all my dealings?

“I just woke up from a dream where you and I had to say goodbye; and I don't know what it all means, but since I survived, I realized wherever you go, that's where I'll follow. Nobody's promised tomorrow, so I'ma love you every night like it's the last night. If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you. If the party was over and our time on Earth was through, I'd wanna hold you just for a while and die with a smile...Lost in the words that we scream, I don't even wanna do this anymore 'cause you already know what you mean to me. and our love's the only war worth fighting for.”

One of the most important spiritual concepts in life is that we can be positive in our approach to life if we want. Granted that there are negative experiences that we all have, and some of them quite overwhelming, but in the end, we can still be very positive in the way we go about our living. We can make good things happen no matter what.

Such seems to be the thought of Jesus as he sent his disciples out into the towns which he intended to visit. He told his disciples to wish those places peace, saying in effect that they should allow their presence and their announcement about his coming to be a moment of peace for all, making good things happen in their lives. The wishing of peace became the first step toward the good things that could happen.

As one studies the song of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile”, the relationship sung about is a truly committed one, and therefore quite real. In terms of positive and negative feelings, it is certainly a positive experience. But they sing of the negative as well. The relationship had to go through a negative experience first. They sing of the screaming words that they yelled and the war that they had to be fought between them before they got to the commitment. They made the good things happen, but they had to undergo some pretty negative things first.

It is a wonderful fact that many people in our world can be very positive about life, no matter what the circumstances. They can look at the kind of lives they have, and realize that even if things are not as wonderful as they might want them or as they might plan, their lives are still something very positive. For a Christian, the peace of Jesus can be the stimulus to make everything positive. The feeling is expressed in a reading called "Today."

TODAY
Outside my window, a new day I see,
And only I can determine
What kind of day it will be.
It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.
My own state of mind is the determining key,
For I am only the person I let myself be.
I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,
Or be selfish and think just of myself,
I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.
I can be patient with those who may not understand,
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.
But I have faith in myself,
And believe what I say,
And I personally intend
To make the best of each day.

Jan Lavalley

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you have given us the grace of having a truly committed love of one another in either marriage or human living. Thank you for the grace of finding such a true commitment in our love, and continue to help us face the negatives that happen as we grow toward that love. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: In forming committed love, we will have difficulties, but we can overcome the pain.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What does the song “Die With A Smile” teach young people?

2. In your opinion, what are the principal characteristics of a truly peaeful person?

3. How does “wishing peace” to another express itself in action?

4. In your opinion, does every positive experience have a negative part of it? Yes or no and why?

5. What can be done for a person who has a negative attitude to make him/her more positive?