MATTHEW 10:25-27

[Jesus said:] "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops."

Gospelthink: I want you to be completely honest in your speech. Am I?

As World War I progresses, destroying the quality of life of thousands of people and horses, the writers of the screenplay of the movie "War Horse" present a scene in miniature of the horrors of war and the remedy for it. Joey, the war horse, is thrown onto the field of war known as "No Man's Land." Frightened, he rushes through German trenches, eventually heading for the British lines. As he does so, he pulls up barbed wire fencing until he is totally entangled in it, and is completely immobile. Two soldiers, one British, the other German, collaborate in finally freeing the animal. The scene paints the picture of what war does--hopelessly entangling people in a conflict. Likewise, it presents the only remedy for war--people communicating with one another to eliminate the problem. Joey becomes the symbol who eventually comes "home" bringing reconciliation to people who have been scarred by war.    

The mission of the disciples in Matthew's Gospel was simply to announce the mission of Jesus Christ once he rose from the dead. They were preparing for it even during Jesus's lifetime. Jesus warns them about the treatment they may receive and exactly what they should be doing. Do not be afraid of the opposition, he tells them, and communicate to all the message of the Kingdom. In fact, they were to proclaim it on the housetops, that is, everywhere. If a message is important, it must be spoken in the highest possible way.
Like an excellent teacher, the movie "War Horse" and director Steven Spielberg present the message of communication in a brilliant way. The only way for people to help a situation is to communicate with each other. Like the German and British soldier--enemies because of the war-- freeing Joey from the condition he is in, communication is the key to any success. Communication as a remedy would work even in the midst of a bitter war, but more to the point for all of us now, it works in every circumstance of our lives.
Dr. Gudrun Frierichs (www.selfgrowth.com) suggests the following seven golden rules of communication:
1. It's not about you. What someone else says or does to you is never about you.
2. Listen - Listen - Listen!
3. Don't treat an assumption as a fact.
4. Be clear when you ask for something.
5. Focus on what you want.
6. Making "I-statements" is the bread and butter of communication skills.
7. Learn about yourself.

In fact, there are many "rules for communication." Our task as leaders and Christians is to find the ones that work, and then make use of them.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son understood that he had to communicate the message of the Kingdom to the world. He taught all of us what You want. May we both learn from what You tell us, and understand how to communicate ourselves. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Perhaps the most important lesson of war is that people must communicate with one another in order to live well.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 68 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Beelzebul is one of the names for the devil in the Gospels. Where in our world today do you see the devil most present?
3. Text analysis: "Do not be afraid of them." The passage refers to the people who might persecute the disciples. Do you think that there is any persecution of faith in our world today? Yes or no and why?
4. Jesus tells his disciples to communicate his message to the world. What message of Jesus should be communicated most of all? Why? 
5. What is the most effective way to communicate Jesus' message today?
6. The meditation claims that a movie can act as a teacher to people. Besides "War Horse," give an example of a movie from which you have learned something significant.
7. Do you believe that something like the two soldiers working together can happen among enemies in war today? Yes or no and why?
8. In your opinion, which rule of Dr. Frierichs is the most important rule for communication?
9. What other rules would you add to Dr. Frierichs' list?
10. Scene analysis: Emilie cares for the horses. Why does care of animals help a young person overcome illness?
11. Dialogue analysis: Emilie's grandfather tells Emilie that there are different ways in which one can be brave. Name some ways in which you have seen people be brave in today's world.
12. Dialogue analysis: Fredrich to Joey: "It's a pity they found you." The meaning no doubt is that Joey was a beautiful animal and should not be treated in a shameful way. Do you think that it was wrong for the military (either side) to treat horses the way they did during the first World War? Yes or no and why?
13. Analysis: Joey seems to take Topthorn's place pulling the gun. Do you believe that horses "feel" for other horses? Yes or no and why?
14. Scene analysis: Albert and other soldiers are "gassed." In your opinion, why should armies not use chemical weapons?
15. Scene analysis: Topthorn dies. Why is it so difficult to watch an animal die?
16. Scene analysis: Joey is entangled by the wire. This is the situation of the meditation for this session of the movie. What is most striking about the scene? Why?
17. Dialogue analysis: the soldier who is on the way to help Joey recites the twenty-third psalm in prayer. What should be the most important prayer for every soldier in battle?
18. Scene analysis: Albert's comrades collect money for Albert to bid on Joey. This is a great act of friendship, of course. Is it true that people become friends easier during time of war than any other? Yes or no and why?
19. Scene analysis: Emilie's grandfather wins Joey, but gives him to Albert when it is obvious that the horse wants to choose Albert as his owner, saying Emilie would have wanted it. Why was the grandfather able to make this gift?
20. Scene analysis: Albert embraces his mother and father. Why is the scene significant?
21. The meditation mentions that Joey is the symbol bringing about reconciliation. In what ways has the horse brought reconciliation throughout the movie?
22. What does the movie "War Horse" teach young people?

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America