March 9

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, March 9, Lent III

LUKE 4:24-30

The people of my hometown rejected me.

Prayerthoughts
a. Jesus senses that there is jealousy involved as people speak about him. In my thoughts are there people of whom I am jealous? What can I do about it?

b. Do I tend to follow the people who are around me in the spiritual life? Without judging them, how can I try harder to grow in my own spiritual life?

c. Jesus refers to Elijah and Elisha who cured the widow and Naaman. They were also prophets who were working with their own people just as Jesus was. The people who did not agree with Jesus were merely making up reasons to dislike him. Our task is to help those around us if they need it. Is there anyone in my acquaintance I should pay more attention to?

d. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus. I obviously do not reject him, but which of his teachings should I listen to more?

e. Jesus did not “punish” the people in Nazareth. He simply walked away. Do I tend to hold grudges against people who do not agree with me?

f. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read 2 Kings 5:1-15b and write
an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

A TRUE PROPHET

+ In the Gospel today, Jesus spoke the truth to his neighbors in Nazareth of Galilee

- they probably had come to the conclusion that even though he was different, he would fit into the pattern that they wanted him to follow

- suddenly, he was speaking about other people being just as important as they were: the widow in Sidon and Naaman, the subject of the first reading, were non-Jews

- and Jesus was accepting them, even implying that they would be more acceptable than the Jews

- once it became clear to them that he would not fit their mold, they were filled with fury and wanted to kill him

+ Jesus did not fit the mold of the religious leaders of Israel because he had an agenda that would be defined in terms of love and acceptance of everyone

- using a similar thought, Elisha in the first reading did not fit the role of a prophet and Naaman expected Elisha to behave in a certain way, and was ready to forget his cure even

+ Jesus and Elisha were prophets

- the classic definition of a prophet is someone who comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable

- both sides of the definition are important to us who want to improve our spiritual lives

+ Our primary message must be to comfort the disturbed, that is, the Christian idea of caring about others

- for us, it is the message of Jesus, the message of love—everyone is important

+ And secondly, we who want to improve our spiritual lives are called to disturb the comfortable

- and we do that by our example

- we are saying to people: look at us—we believe in God, and we are proving it by our lives, and our cry to them is: “so should you”

+ A prophet is someone who comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable

- part of a growing spiritual life is the idea of being a prophet.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Drivers License" -- Olivia Rodrigo

GUESS YOU DIDN'T MEAN IT

The Gospel

MATTHEW 26:31-35

Then Jesus said to them, "This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken."... Peter said to him in reply, "Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be." Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." Peter said to him, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And all the disciples spoke likewise.

Gospelthink: Peter, overcome by the danger of the moment denied me even though he said he would not. Do I deny the Lord by not following through on my commitment to Him?

"I got my driver’s license last week, just like we always talked about ‘cause you were so excited for me to finally drive up to your house. But today I drive through the suburbs cryin’ ‘cause you weren’t around. And you’re probably with that blond girl who always made me doubt. I know we weren’t perfect but I’ve never felt this way for no one and I just can’t imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone. Guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me, ‘cause you said forever; now I drive alone past your street."

Most of the songs of our day speak about love, and almost always there is an idea of commitment that runs through them. Our world doesn’t do well with commitments. Ruled by selfish human natures, people of our world too often make what might be called “temporary permanent commitments.” Such commitments are a contradiction, of course, but they are so much easier than “permanent permanent commitments.” Granted that there are legitimate exceptions in which permanent commitments should be abandoned, but one wonders whether there should be as many exceptions as there are.

Of course, the answer to the idea of commitment comes before the commitment is made. People must spend time and study on questions like “Are you willing to say and mean ‘forever’?”; “Do you know what you are getting into?”; Are you aware of the scope of ‘for better and for worse’?”

Case in point, the song by Olivia Rodgrio, "Drivers License," and this line in particular: “Guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me, ‘cause you said forever. Now I drive alone past your street.” The rest of the song displays the pain that the lady in the song feels.

Peter the apostle learned such a lesson the hard way. He was very bold in his prediction of the future. He was convinced that Jesus was the Lord. He knew that he loved Jesus as his God, and therefore he was certain that he would never deny him, even if other people's faith in him had disappeared. In fact, his brother apostles said the same thing. But, their talk was cheap. In the end, Peter and most of the disciples disowned Jesus when he suffered the unjust punishment given by the Romans.

The situation of Olivia Rodgrio's song, and indeed the situation of Peter the Apostle, is a difficult one for a human being, and the point is that the human being may use the word "forever" or "never" or "always" and not mean it. Those words are significant words in our vocabulary. If we say them, it must convey what they mean. A person simply cannot say those words in the heat of the moment of love, and then forget about it.

We must listen closely to the pain of the lady in Olivia Rodgrio's song, and hear her say, "Guess you didn't mean what you wrote."

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we use words to communicate with you and with others. Often we say words that do not carry with them the necessary actions. Give us the grace to understand the meaning of the words we say to you and others, and give us the courage to follow through with what we say. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: People often say "forever" to a relationship but they don't really mean it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Drivers License" teach young people today?
2. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the Apostles that their faith in him will be shaken. What are the things in life that disturb us the most even though we still have faith in Jesus?
3. All the Apostles spoke as Peter did, saying that they would never deny Jesus. It is easy to agree with a group of friends, especially when they are saying correct things. Why is it so difficult to disagree with your friends?
4. The circumstances of the song suggest that the relationship is about to end. What is the best way to close a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend?
5. In your opinion, what are the most important characteristics of the art of communication?
6. Why do people get divorced?
7. How should people deal with the pain of a breakup or being rejected by another?