May 18  [media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, May 18, Easter Weekday JOHN 16:29-33 His disciples professed that they follow Jesus, but they did not follow through. Prayerthoughts a. The parables are good stories, and we can learn from them. But Jesus also talks “plainly” in the Gospels. What are some direct words of Jesus that should have an effect on the Christian? b. Jesus’s apostles say that they believe that Jesus was God, but we know that within a couple of days of this saying, they deserted Jesus. In what ways have I deserted Jesus even though I believed in Him. Perhaps a prayer of forgiveness is in order. c. Jesus’s question: do you believe now? Do I completely accept the Christian way of life, and have I shown it recently? d. Jesus tells his disciples that they will leave him “alone” as he suffers. Have I been supportive of my friends when they were in need? e. Jesus contrasts his teaching with the teaching of the “world.” His teaching should bring about peace. Am I a peaceful person? f. My prayerthoughts… Today I will read the Acts of the Apostles 19:1-8 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy “DO YOU BELIEVE NOW?” + The source of a good meditation often is to take Jesus’s questions and ask them about ourselves - his question in the Gospel today: Do you believe now? - that is, do you really believe? - the context of the question was a reply to a rather strong statement from the disciples: “We are convinced that you know everything” - and Jesus by his question is challenging his disciples by making them aware that they will be scattered out of fear when he is crucified, - and not only that, but they will have to suffer much when they finally begin their preaching on behalf of Christianity - but Jesus doesn’t end negatively - he assures his disciples that even though the world may overcome them in the end by killing them or hurting them - he—Jesus—has overcome the world, and the disciples have nothing to fear + We can allow Jesus’s question to lead us to a deeper spiritual life if we desire: Do you really believe? - do our thoughts, words and actions show that we really believe? - *** Paul would spend significant time debating about the kingdom of God on his missionary journey at Ephesus - how much time do we spend on spiritual reading and spiritual education? - *** Paul had to clarify some things about Baptism - have we truly accepted the promises that we have made at Baptism so that others can see them in our living? - *** the disciples tell Jesus that they are convinced about him - when it comes to the difficult virtues that Jesus teaches—universal love of others including enemies, forgiveness, control of the tongue, the true understanding of wealth—is it clear that we are convinced of Jesus’s way? *** Jesus says that he has overcome the world - do we even want to allow the world to be overcome - or do we like too much the pleasure, power, and money that go with life? + The question of Jesus “Do you believe now” asked individually of all of us is a very good question that we can learn from, if we want.

LUKE 23:27-28

[As he was carrying his cross,] a large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children."

Gospelthink: During my Passion, I was interested in the women who were feeling the pain with me. Am I a person who tries to take into account the pain of others?

"Oh, let me apologize, I’ll make up for all those times. Your love, I don’t wanna lose, I’m beggin’ you. Wait, can you turn around, can we work this out, can you come here please? ‘Cause I wanna be with you. Can we talk for a moment?”  

The man in the relationship described by Maroon 5 in their song "Wait" has hurt the lady in the relationship, and he begs her to forgive him. He is saying all the "right" things--he says he is sorry, he apologizes, asking her to turn around to work it out, begging her to be with him, and saying that he will communicate with her. It is a great lesson for all of us.

Interpreting the cries and laments of the women who were following Jesus as he was led to crucifixion, one can easily think in terms of "apology." The women were in a sense apologizing for what was happening to Jesus--the cruelty of the Roman soldiers, the hatred of the Hebrew religious leaders, everyone's lack of concern for an innocent man. Jesus accepted their apology and told them to care for themselves, their children, and their future.

People hurt one another. In the course of human interaction, it is bound to happen. One of the marks of maturity and leadership is the ability to recognize those things for which we are responsible, and then actually speak the apology with the intention to remedy what happened. A familiar poem describes it well:

Three words, eight letters, so difficult to say.
They're stuck inside of me, they try and stay away.
But this is too important to let them have their way.
I need to do it now, I must do it today.
I am sorry.

As we study our lives, it becomes clear that we have hurt some people. As the man in Maroon 5's song, if we want to be Christian in our approach to life, we must apologize once we understand that we have caused harm. Sometimes, and we do not know from the song, the apology may not even be accepted, but that is not the important thing. The important thing is that we have recognized the wrong, that we have said the words of apology, and that, as far as possible, we will try to remedy the situation.

PRAYER 

Good and gracious God, your Son was treated so shamefully when he closed his life, and he accepted the apology of some women who were there to help him. Help us learn to apologize when we have done something wrong.. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: One of the most important characteristics of a good relationship is the ability to apologize.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. It was the women who mourned Jesus. No doubt there were some men as well, but why do you think Luke the evangelist only mentioned the women?
2. What concept is the most important part of  the 'litany" of the man in the song who is begging for forgiveness?
3. Learning to apologize is only one thing that a love relationship should include. What are some of the others?
4. Most people in love relationships will learn to apologize to each other if they want the relationship to last. Do you believe that the people of our world have learned to apologize to others in the world as often as they should? Yes or no and why?
5. In general, why do we not like to apologize?
6. In general, what is the motivation behind people who apologize to another? Why does speaking the apology mean something to the person who apologizes?
7. What does the song "Wait" teach young people?