March 1

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Saturday, March 1

MARK 10:13-16

Like a Child

Prayerthoughts

a. Do I treat children in my life with the true respect they deserve? What can I do better?

b. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like children, that is, people who are totally dependent on God. Is God truly important to me? What evidence can I show?

c. Children are totally powerless in the world. Is the possession of power and “being more important than others” something that I desire too much? What can I do about it?

d. What are the characteristics of the child-like that I should possess?

e. What is the difference between childish and child-like?

f. My prayerthoughts….

Today I will pray for the children that I know. 

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy


JESUS’ KINGDOM IS A GIFT

+ As one studies the characteristics of a child, the question that would follow from the Gospel is: how would a child accept the Kingdom?

- because a child has no power or legal status

- about the only thing they can do is receive a gift

- (which doesn’t make them inferior; on the contrary, Jesus raises them to the status of a person here—often, writings treat them only as a nuisance)

- a child can only receive a gift

- and so the conclusion must be—as we hear Jesus say that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them—that we receive the Kingdom as a gift from God


+ That Kingdom is what Jesus wanted to set up here on earth, culminating in heaven or eternal life with God

- much theology is written about it, of course

- since it is an image that Jesus constantly uses

- present in some way in all four Gospels


+ That Kingdom that he wants us to accept as a gift and then allow it to direct our thinking

- has many characteristics

- the Gospels are full of those characteristics

- also, the first reading from the book of Sirach gives the perfect description of what a human being should be, what Jesus wants as a result of following the Gospels


+ The Kingdom is primarily spiritual, and therefore very much a concern of ours as we try to improve our spiritual lives

- Jesus tells us today to receive it as a gift

- to accept it into our lifestyles, behaviors

- and let its characteristics, like the idea of prayer, direct our thoughts, words and actions

- what it means practically is a careful study of our actions

- something that comes up quite often in these readings

- basically asking the question: are we really following the directives of Jesus Christ and his Kingdom or not?


+ Jesus wants us to accept his Kingdom

- if we do, there is both obligation and reward.                         











 

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Captain Phillips" -- beginning session

WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS



 

The Gospel

LUKE 9:22

Luke 9:22

[Jesus] said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

 

Gospelthink: I predict my death and my rising. How am I prepared for my own death?

Based on a true story, the movie "Captain Phillips" is the story of an ordinary captain of an unarmed container ship who is attacked by Somalian pirates. The pirates were motivated by their "bosses" who promised them money for carrying out the capture of the ship. They were to hold the ship "captive" until the pirates received the necessary money obtaining the ship's and crew's release. Captain Phillips was skilled in maneuvering the ship to avoid the attack at first, but eventually the Somalian pirates took the ship and its crew as hostages. Captain Phillips attempted to "buy" the pirates out, but was unable to do so and the pirates took the captain as a personal hostage.

 

Captain Richard Phillips in the movie named after him was a courageous man. He wanted his ship and crew to be prepared for the possibility of modern day pirates, but he was not looking to be a hero. When his ship actually was attacked, he was somewhat prepared for what might happen, but certainly not completely. He showed his courage in trying to protect his men, but especially in what he did not expect to happen.

The human Jesus was likewise a courageous man. As he worked in his public life, it became evident that much of what was to happen to him was not going to be pleasant, and certainly not want he wanted. But courageous men do not pick and choose where they want their courage to show. They must be prepared for the unexpected. Jesus looked at his rather uncertain future, and although he might end up well--"be raised" from death, as he said--the dominating fact of his future was one that he had not planned. But he embraced it with courage.

Studying Jesus' courage and indeed the courage of Captain Richard Phillips, one can sort out a definition of the virtue. It can be described as a form of tenaciousness, a refusal to quit even if one is tired or hurt or humiliated or emotionally broken. But perhaps most of all, the virtue of courage is the ability to face what life throws in our paths unexpectantly, working with it in the best possible way.

We are courageous in so far as we accept what happens to us, and truly make it something we can live with, no matter what the circumstances.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son was a great example of the courage we must have as your followers. Give us the grace to accept the problems of life in a courageous way. Be with us, we pray. 

 

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: The virtue of courage is made manifest when there are unexpected problems.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 62 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2. In the Gospel, Jesus shows determination to do what he thinks is best for him. In general, what should people be most determined to do as they live in today's world?
3. The human Jesus realized that suffering was going to be part of his life in the very near future. What is the best way to work with the suffering that human beings may have to endure in their lives?
4.  What is your definition of "courage"?
5. What does it mean to be a "hero" in an ordinary sense of the term?
6. Analysis: "Courageous men do not pick and choose where they want their courage to show." Give an instance from history where this statement is true.
7. When especially is the "unexpected" difficult?
8. Why was the ship unarmed in your opinion?
9. Analysis: Captain Phillips is a pretty demanding captain. What are the best qualities of leadership in your opinion?
10. Analysis: There is dissension among the Somalis. Ultimately, what was the reason for this?
11. Dialogue analysis: "I am the captain; shoot me." It is a statement of courage. What are the most courageous acts that you are aware of?
12.  Analysis: Ultimately, the reason for the attack was for ransom or money. What is the principal reason why money is recognized by religious leaders to be a major drawback in life?
13. Scene analysis: the pirates threaten to kill one of the crewmen. It may be the most frightening scene in the movie. Why? What would you feel like?   

 

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