May 2

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Friday, May 2

JOHN 6:1-15

I fed the five thousand, a symbol of what the Eucharist would mean for you.

Prayerthoughts
a. Jesus goes “up on the mountain,” a sign that Jesus is the great teacher. In what way in particular has Jesus been a “teacher” to me?

b. Once again, Jesus feels pity for the crowd. In my life, in general, do I look at others with a desire to help them if they need it?

c. As Jesus deliberately tested Philip, the Lord tests me as well. What have been the “great tests” in my life so far, and how has the Lord resolved them?

d. Jesus uses what they have. It is a significant action for my spiritual life. At this time of my life, the Lord will use whatever I can do to be better if I want. Am I open to the Lord’s wishes?

e. Jesus uses words that he will use when he institutes the Eucharist for us. Do I try to receive the Lord in the Eucharist often, and then thank him for his gift?

f. It is significant that all were satisfied. Am I satisfied with what is given to me? Do I thank the Lord and those who give me what I need? (This is the task of the meditation.)

g. There was food left over. The Lord always gives us more than enough to help us in our lives. Do I thank the Lord enough in my prayer?

h. My prayerthoughts….

Today, I will make a list of the people for whom I am most thankful, and pray for them and perhaps write them a note or email.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

MORE THAN ENOUGH

+ The actions of the boy in the Gospel is a great source of meditation

- there is a large number of people

- people who are hungry and no food

- a boy has five barley loaves and two fish

- he knows something has to be done

- he has something that can help only a couple people

- he wants to help,

- but he has to ask: what can I do?

+ The boy does a couple of things that are significant

- and I think both of them are imperative for the practical spiritual life for you and me

+ First of all, he gives what he has

- giving is a problem for people

- the boy gave what he had to others

- and we can only talk on the scale of our communities

- I submit to you that we have to learn to give a little more, to give from what God has given to us

- to learn the art of giving of ourselves—generosity—so that we can influence others to give

+ Secondly, he not only gave what he had

- he gave it to Jesus, and let Jesus do whatever with it

- that is, he let Jesus work in his life

- for us, right now, that involves prayer for others

- and, it involves living a lifestyle that is thoroughly Christian

- as the Apostles did in the first reading

- they went on preaching and teaching even though they had received punishment for it

- everyone of us can be better in the way that we treat others, talk to others, etc.

+ There are immense problems in our world, and in our own little worlds of community living

- but two things that boy did in the Gospel:

- he gave what he had to the situation

- and he gave it to Jesus, allowing him to work with what he had

- there were 12 baskets left over after he did that

- that is, what he did was more than enough

- I believe you and I can have the same results.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" -- beginning session

WHO SHOULD WE TRUST

The Gospel

JOHN 6:68-71

JOHN 6:68-71

Simon Peter answered [Jesus], “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?” He was referring to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot; it was he who would betray him, one of the Twelve.

Gospelthink: I desired all to turn to me even Judas. Do I place my trust in the Lord the way He would want?

In the fantasy movie "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," S.H.I.E.L.D. operative Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America, found himself up against a powerful enemy who planned to kill millions of people in order to rule the world. The enemy was placed high up in the United States government and cleverly tried to implicate the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury to be part of the plot which would eventually lead to the control of the government. Fury realized what was happening and in his dying moments entrusted Steve Rogers with a secret and the instruction: "Trust no one." It meant that Captain America had to discern whom he could trust to ascertain the truth and to help him bring about the capture of the enemy.

Psychologists and sociologists have pointed out that trust begins with the family and gradually grows to include others. The development of basic trust is the first stage of psychosocial development occurring during the first two years of life. If one accomplishes such trust, it results in feelings of security, mutual trust and an optimistic view of life; failure leads to a life of insecurity and mistrust.

In the movie "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," lack of trust was an issue that jeopardized the whole S.H.I.E.L.D. operation. Its director, Nick Fury, realizing the severity of his situation told Captain America, Steve Rogers, that he should "trust no one." Consequently Rogers had to be very careful about trusting his companions during his fight to save millions of people.

Jesus was no doubt careful about trusting his companions. He chose his Apostles with the whole thought of being able to trust one another. Of course, Judas eventually did not lead the life that he should have, but Jesus trusted him enough to take him into his inner circle. Judas violated Jesus' trust in him.

Our world is a complicated world in many ways. One of the reasons may very well be that we so easily trust people who in the end cannot be trusted. It is then that evil will happen, and destruction will result. The only way to prevent it is to be a little more cautious of those we trust. It is a practical conclusion that comes from a popular movie, and a conclusion that Jesus himself learned.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son trusted Judas to be a good Apostle, but Judas broke that trust. Help us learn the art of trusting people in our lives, but at the same time to be cautious of those we choose to trust. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We must be very careful about the people we choose to trust.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 63 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2. Gospel text analysis: "You have the words of eternal life." In your opinion, do Christians act like they believe those words of Jesus? Yes or no and why?
3. Jesus chose Judas. Why do you think Jesus chose him in the first place?
4. Do you think that Judas really intended to "betray" Jesus? Yes or no and why?
5. Give your own definition of trust.
6. Analysis: Why is "trust" so important in the first two years of life?
7. Is it possible in life to "trust no one"? Yes or no and why?
8. In general, who do most people trust as they grow?
9. If it is true that we should be cautious as we choose whom we trust, what are the principal guidelines to us as we choose someone to trust?
10. Is it possible to fight into today's world without the use of weapons (other than Captain America)? Yes or no and why?
11. Scene analysis: Natasha seems to be doing something wrong (extracting files from a computer on the ship). She was following orders without informing anyone else--"compartmentalization." Do you believe that the military actually uses such methods? Yes or no and why?
12. Analysis: Do you think that a "helicarrier" is a possibility in the future? Yes or no and why?
13. Scene analysis: Peggy Carter who now has Alzheimer disease. What is the best way to care for a person with Alzheimer's?
14. Scene analysis: Captain America cannot answer Sam Wilson's question of "What makes you happy?" Why could he not answer?
15. Analysis: What should make people most happy in today's world?
16. Analysis: Given the circumstances, is it wrong for Captain America to lie to Natasha? Yes or no and why? [See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 2432-2487.]
17. Scene analysis: Captain America has a "vision" of his former self at the military base. Why is it important to know how we felt in the past?