june 5

June 5

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Friday, June 5

MARK 12:35-37

Jesus the Teacher

Prayerthoughts

a. As he taught during his lifetime, Jesus had to explain the meaning of Scripture to the crowds. Do I take the time to read the commentary on the Scripture passages that I read. (For example New Collegeville Bible Commentary or the footnotes listed in the Bible.)

b. Jesus knew Scripture of course, here quoting Psalm 110. Do I read Scripture especially the Gospels enough? What can I do about it?

c. Perhaps I should set a pattern of prayer every day, making sure that the Gospel reading of the day is part of the pattern.

d. Part of Jesus’s teaching was in asking leading questions. As these meditations do, I should take the time to ask personal questions about the Gospel passage that I read. What are some personal questions that this passage brings to my mind?

e. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read 2 Timothy 3:10-17 and write an important thought from it.

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Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THINKING CATHOLICS

+ Both readings give us the example of a teacher and learners

- first: Paul is the teacher, Timothy is the learner

- second: Jesus is the teacher, the great crowd of Israelites were the learners

+ A study of how and what the teachers taught could help us in our spiritual lives, I believe

- Paul taught Timothy by pointing out to Timothy the resources that he had available to him

- in this case, Timothy had the persecutions of Paul himself, and he had the availability of the Scriptures

- applied to us, we have the examples of those who have gone before us, in particular Francis and Clare

- and the Scriptures, especially the Gospels

+ And within those Gospels, one of the ways that Jesus taught was by studying contradictions in the religion that they all knew, as we see in today’s Gospel

- he taught by asking questions—

- here—the whole question about the Messiah

- this teaching method is an important one for anyone who discusses religion with others, which we do or will

- we have to be open to questions in our religion

- and willing to discuss the answers

- why do we believe the things that we do, what does it mean in our lives

+ I believe that one of the most important conclusions to our thinking about religion is that we become “thinking Catholics”—

- that is, people who are willing to look at the doctrine of what we believe, and ask important questions

- that means, of course, that we have to do some study about the way we believe

- a thinking Catholic will not be someone who merely prays—although that is important

- thinking Catholics will consider deeply why they feel the way they do, looking at the possible contradictions and trying to answer them in his/her heart

- sometimes we may need someone to help us, but we should not be afraid to ask the questions

+ Our readings this morning say to us:

- we should constantly use the Scriptures, especially the Gospels to learn from

- and as we do it, we have to be “thinking Catholics”, willing to study our religion.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "The Water Man" -- final session
FAITH LEADS TO LOVE

The Gospel

JOHN 15:9-12

JOHN 15:9-12

[Jesus said:] "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you."

Gospelthink: I chose you to learn to love. Am I showing true love to everyone I meet?

Eleven year old Gunner Boone believed that the Water Man who was located in the forest would give immortality to his mother who was dying of cancer. He and his friend Jo whom Gunner had paid to show him the Water Man had gone into the forest in search of him. They discovered that the woods were full of curious things that were happening, mainly because the forest was actually on fire a short distance away, something they did not know. Finally, Gunner discovered the Water Man who was either in Gunner's mind or actually did exist, (The movie leaves us wondering.) Gunner's father, having discovered that his son was missing, found Gunner and Jo and took them back home. Gunner did not find a cure for his mother, but he discovered a deeper love with his family and his friend Jo.

Part of the appeal of the movie "The Water Man" is that the movie-goer does not know what really happened as Gunner "discovers" the Water Man. Whatever happened, Gunner and Jo came out of the experience as changed young people. As can be seen by the final scene and final prayer offered by Gunner's mother, "love" was present as his mother thanked God for the love which was present at their table.

Theologically, what is happening is captured by the evangelist John in his Gospel. They had bought into the faith of looking for a cure for Gunner's mother, and even though the cure was not forthcoming, there was a cure of sorts for the whole family including Jo. As Jesus taught, once a person has allowed hope to lead to faith, then the faith is expressed in the love that everyone must have for one another.

The application for the movie-goer cannot be missed. Gunner's hope to have a cure was not fulfilled, but the love of Gunner's father for Gunner is renewed. Jo has found a loving family as she grows. Gunner's father and mother are deeper in love than they had been. And Gunner feels the love that is present in the whole family.

During one of the final scenes in the movie, Gunner and his father are together, both asking the question that if you could choose a shorter life with someone you totally loved over a longer life without that someone, what would you choose. Both of them answer the same with Gunner's mother in mind. Love has totally taken over during the time that Gunner's mother has left.

Hope had led to faith, and faith led to love.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son came to our world to bring about the love that is so necessary for us to exist. Sometimes we forget because we go our separate ways and allow our free will to have free rein. Give us the grace to come back to love for You and for one another. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Hope leads to faith and faith leads to love.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 41 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2. Why do we not love one another as Jesus wants us to?
3. What is the best way for a father to communicate with his pre-teen and teenage son?
4. What are the greatest acts of love that God has given to the human race?
5. What is the best way for middle school and high school young people to show love to their parents?
6. What are the signs of someone who has been totally "taken over" by love?
7. What does the movie "The Water Man" teach young people?