JOHN 5:1-16

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.     

Gospelthink: I was determined to take care of my earthly mother. Am I am concerned enough about my close relatives?

The incredible determination that Louie Zamperini showed in the movie based on his story, namely "Unbroken," was the result of his own strong personality. As mentioned in the first part of this meditation, it began with the help of his family, and in particular his brother. But as he suffered through the different parts of his difficult journey, those feelings were strengthened by a personal desire that built on itself. He would not allow himself to ever be knocked down without getting up no matter what the circumstances. But something else that helped him was the motivation that he learned that came from none other than a devotion to his God. It was a devotion that led him ultimately to even forgive those who had treated him in such an evil way.

We speak of Jesus' determination in his human life to accomplish his Father's will (the subject of the first part of the meditation on the movie "Unbroken"). At the same time we should consider the determination of Mary as Jesus lived through his human life. It has been said that a mother will suffer the same emotions as her child as he/she grows. Mary understood in her own way what her Son was to accomplish; she knew that it had to do with the salvation of humankind. She was committed early on to help in whatever way she could. As a young mother together with her husband Joseph she realized how she had to begin again and again. No doubt throughout Jesus' young life her motivation to help as much as she could inspired the young Jesus to follow through with his own vocation.

Studying the determination of Louis Zamperini, the subject of the movie "Unbroken," one could not only see his desire to be determined early in his lifetime, but it carried over into the second part of his life as well. His desire to "bounce back" after every set back truly "fed on itself" in the sense that he gradually became more and more determined even as he met hardship after hardship. It was enhanced also by his understanding that God was with him throughout his ordeal, allowing him to forgive even his enemies.

It is an easy application for us as we live our lives in this world that often is full of surprises and setbacks. But the application is only easy to talk about. It is much more difficult to live well within the context of the surprises and setbacks in our lives. The lesson we should learn from a man like Louie Zamperini and a woman like Mary the mother of Jesus, is that we can enter the "fight" with determination to get through it.

We can "feed off of" our own determination, making us stronger, and at the same time allow the motivation that God is with us in our endeavors be a true guide in our thinking.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we study the determination of people that we admire, people like your servant Mary, the earthly mother of Your Son Jesus. May she guide us to be determined in our desire to follow Your will. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Being always ready to begin again and choosing the proper motivation are invaluable helps to becoming more determined.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 64 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2. At the cross of Jesus in the Gospel, why do you think there were more woman disciples than men?
3. The Church has interpreted the action of Jesus' giving of his mother to the disciple that Jesus loved either literally or symbolically. The symbolic meaning has various views, one of which is that Mary is a symbol of the Church, and here is given the role of mother of Christians. Why is Mary such an important part of Christian thought?
4. Project: the presenter may want to spend some time discussing the identity of the "disciple whom Jesus loved." See any commentary on John's Gospel.
5. Give your own definition of "being determined."
6. What do you think was Mary's biggest help to Jesus during his life before his ministry?
7. What do you understand by the saying that something like determination "feeds on itself"?
8. Louie Zamperini kept his promise to God that he would dedicate his life to his religion if God helped him. Do you think that like promises are made very often? Yes or no and why? And if they are made, do most people keep them? Yes or no and why?
9. In what ways is "living in the world" like a "fight"?
10. Character analysis: Mutsushiro Watanabe, the "Bird." Why do you think he was so mean? Why do you think he chose Louie in particular to torment?
11.  Dialogue analysis: Watanabe tells Louie that "he is nothing," a statement that Louie himself made as a young person. When do such statements hurt us?
12. Scene analysis: Louie refuses to say that he applauds Japan. Given the circumstances, do you think that most American prisoners would respond the way Louie did? Yes or no and why?
13. Scene analysis: As his fellow prisoners are forced to punch Louie in the face, one can sense the absolute hatred the men have for Watanabe. How should we think of the evil people in our world who continue to hurt innocent people?
14. Scene analysis: Louie and the steel beam. What is most striking about this scene?
15. Analysis: In the previous scene, it seems as though Watanabe broke down when Louie Zamperini would not break down. Why was it so important for Watanabe to "break" Louie if he could?
16. Analysis: In your opinion, why do you think the Japanese did not execute the Americans at the close of the concentration camp?
17. Analysis: In your opinion, why do you think Watanabe would not meet with Zamperini after the war?
18. What does the movie "Unbroken" teach young people? 

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