March 2

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, March 2, Lent II

LUKE 6:36-38

My Attitude Toward Others

Prayerthoughts

a. In general, am I a merciful person? Are there some specific people to whom I should be more gentle in my approach to them?

b. In general, do I judge others too harshly? Should my thinking of them be “purified” in the sense of being kinder? Think especially of yesterday.

c. Jesus uses arguably the most important word as far as behavior goes: “give”. Do I give freely to others with the thought that they do not need to “pay me back”?

d. Is there one special person to whom I should treat in a better way?

e. How do I grade myself concerning love of others?

f. My prayerthoughts...

Today I will read Daniel 9:4b-10, and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

GIVE TO OTHERS

+ This is a difficult Gospel

- it is part of what is called the “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke’s Gospel and if one takes the Gospel as the words say, it is so difficult and radical that it is like a different plane of living

- but Jesus is very clear—we can argue what are Jesus’s actual words

- but there is no doubt that Jesus was responsible for these ideas

- if we are going to follow him, we will have to follow his directives- stop judging others and forgive everyone

- because, as Jesus says,

…the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

- it involves thinking, the words we say, and doing—Jesus is saying in effect, purify your every intention

+ As we think of Jesus’s words and recognize Daniel’s prayer in the first reading that the Lord is full of compassion and forgiveness, even though they had sinned,

- it is important to see the ultimate reason that the Lord was full of compassion and forgiveness toward the Israelite people

- and what is the basis of the difficult words of Jesus here

- I believe that it is Jesus’ idea of giving

- Jesus says it in the Gospel:

Give and gifts will be given to you.

- God continues to give to us;

- “giving to others” more than any concept captures the reality of Jesus’ moral doctrine

- it is the essential ingredient of love

+ Because giving is such an essential concept of Christianity, it must be what guides the Christian way of life

- it is what you and I as Catholics have heard presented over the past couple of years as stewardship—giving back to God for what God has given to us

+ The next step will automatically follow, namely, that we give back to God

- and the question is: how do we do that?

- we give back to God by our service to other human beings

- leading us again to the absolute Christian importance of giving of ourselves on behalf of others

- Jesus says to give to others, and if we do, we will both truly love them, and give back to God at the same time.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: “Circles” – Post Malone

IF IT IS JUST THE SEX

The Gospel

Matthew 5:27-29

You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of you members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

Gospelthink: I give my strict rules about use of your sexuality. Am I following the Lord's rules?

“Seasons change, and our love went cold, feed the flame ‘cause we can’t let go. Run away, but we’re running in circles. Run away. I dare you to do something, I’m waiting on you again, so I don’t take the blame. Let go, I got a feeling that it’s time to let go. I knew that this was doomed from the get-go. You thought that it was special. But it was just the sex though. I got a feeling that it’s time to let it go.”

Jesus uses the art form of exaggeration when he feels strongly about something. In this passage, he wants people to know that the Christian virtue of purity involves staying away from all lust both before and after marriage.

One of the common faults of human beings, especially young human beings is the sin of "sex before marriage." The song "Circles" calls that to mind. The couple are going around in circles trying to work out their relationship, not knowing from one day to the next whether the love they have is real love or not. Post Malone states what may be the real problem when he sings, "But it was just the sex." The physical interaction they have feels good, but it may be the problem because feelings are only part of true love.

When a couple experiences each other in the physical act of love, there are no doubt good feelings that they have for each other. But such feelings do not constitute true love. Practically any human being can enjoy the physical feelings of sharing one another. It is an experience that God has created so that people will want to populate our earth, and therefore is something very good. But when it becomes an end in itself, It does not necessarily bring about true love.

The couple in Post Malone's song wanted true love. They wanted to experience the true feeling of what it means to give completely to each other, with a true understanding of choosing the other person for life. Instead, like many couples who are not married yet, they became physically involved long before they knew whether each had the true love necessary for a real commitment. And the involvement clouds their love reasoning.

Jesus knew the nature of human beings, and so he warned against lust. He knew that the physical could destroy any notion of true love. It is a lesson that people learning love must know.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we want to understand the true meaning of love before marriage. Help us realize that the physical actions of love making can never be interpreted to be true love. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: The physical part of love should be part of true love.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Circles" teach young people?
2. Many people do not consider "premarital sex" to be sinful. In your opinion, why do they feel this way?
3 What are the signs of "true love" as one prepares for marriage?
4. In your opinion, does too much physical involvement before marriage interfere with the decision to marry? Yes or no and why?
5. In your opinion, do most people understand the true meaning of love at the time of marriage? Yes or no and why?