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March 27

[media presntation below]

GospelThink

Friday, March 27, Lent V

JOHN 10:31-42

Hostility

Prayerthoughts

a. There was obviously some hostility shown toward Jesus. When others dislike me for some reason, do I react too quickly, or do I take the time to study why they dislike me with the intention of doing something about it?

b. In the good works that I see in my life right now, do I acknowledge that they are really from the Lord?

c. Jesus refers to the judges of the Old Testament who were called “gods.” Do I look at myself as superior to others, giving too much to my own importance?

d. In my life, do others look on me as doing the works of God? Right now, what work of God can I do better?

e. Jesus knew that belief in him was important for the acceptance of his Kingdom. Perhaps a prayer is in order asking for deeper faith.

t. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read Jeremiah 20:10-13 and write
an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE GOOD WORKS OF A CHRISTIAN

+ Jeremiah was one of the people of the Old Testament who prefigured Jesus—as were all the prophets in one way or another

- with Jeremiah in particular, it was the concept of being rejected that was the idea that foretold Jesus

- people whispering against him, those who were his friends now out to get him

- but Jeremiah prays as Jesus did that the Lord was with him

+ In the Gospel today, we reflect on the fact that Jesus is closer to his death

- the evangelist John mentions twice that the Jews tried to get to him—stone him and arrest him,

- but it wasn’t his time yet

- in John’s Gospel, Jesus is totally in control of what happens to him

+ As we consider our own spiritual growth, it might be good to consider Jesus’s words about his good works in the Gospel today

- the context is that Jesus is showing that he has every right to call himself God’s Son because he is doing the works of God

- making reference to the fact that in a sense we are all God’s children if we do good works

- it is a good consideration for us

- concentrate a little on the good works that we do

- what works of charity do we perform?

- works for which we are not paid

- if we are Christians, given Jesus’s statements about love of others and his constant thought of compassion,

- there ought to be something that we do for others for which there is absolutely no recompense

- no one obligated to give back to us, no thanks, no recognition

- some form of appreciation may come to us, but the reason why we do it is for the benefit of the people involved—period

- that is true giving and a truly “good work”

+ The Christian should be involved in good works

- and those good works should be shown toward people who really need them, and it doesn’t matter whether they acknowledge us or not.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "How Long" -- Charlie Puth

TELL ME HONESTLY

The Gospel

MATTHEW 26:20-25

When it was evening, Jesus reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

Gospelthink: My betrayer Judas bothered me so much that I told all the disciples that it would happen. I haven't totally betrayed the Lord, but have I turned away at times?

"She said, 'Boy, tell me honestly. Was it real or just for show?' She said, 'Save your apologies, I just gotta know. How long has this been going on?'" The man admits it is his fault, and she is just about to leave if it continues to be a problem.

The study between Judas and Jesus in the New Testament Scriptures is an interesting one. Judas was a confidant of Jesus as can be seen in that Jesus chose him to be the keeper of their necessary money. One would also assume that as one of Jesus's disciples, he cured people and preached the Kingdom of God as the Lord had instructed. What the Lord wanted from him was loyalty and most of all honesty. At the Last Supper, Judas could have admitted his fault and been honest with Jesus. If he had, quite literally, Christian history would have changed.

In Charlie Puth's song "How Long," after the man had made a mistake, his girlfriend wants to know whether it is the end of the relationship or not. She asks him to tell him "honestly." If he responds in an honest way, they will be able to discuss the future of the relationship. If he does not, she should probably get out of the relationship forever. She has "gotta know," she says, and in a true relationship, both should know the honest feelings of the other.

Perhaps one of the most common faults of young people is not telling the truth.They usually are not large lies, but ones that are often named "harmless." Sometimes they are harmless and no one gets hurt except maybe the one who tells the lie. The one who tells the lie often can develop a habit of telling lies, and in the end becomes less of a person as a result.

Telling lies is not only a fault of young people, of course. Adults also fall into the habit, and for them, most of the time, it is not harmless. Generally speaking, adults fully understand what they are doing when they tell a lie. Often the lie is nothing more than a cover-up for an action that they do not want to admit, or a way to make themselves appear better than they are.

Honesty is an important quality for a romantic relationship as can be seen from Charlie Puth's song, but as one studies Jesus and Judas, we learn that it is an important quality for all of our lives.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son wanted honesty from all of his disciples, a desire that we should be aware of as we study His life. May we have the grace to accept honesty as a virtue that we practice all the time. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDELINES FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: The most important part of communication is being honest with the other.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is the greatest sin that human beings commit today? Why?
2. When is the best time to give up on a relationship?
3. Besides honesty what are some other characteristics of good communication?
4. From your understanding of the Scriptures, what was Judas' main problem?
5. What was the main difference between Judas and the rest of the Apostles?
6. In your opinion, are there some exceptions when a person does not have to tell the truth?
7. If a person finds himself/herself constantly lying about some issue, what is the best remedy to correct it?
8. What is your definition of "being an honest person"?
9. What does the song “How Long” teach young people today?