TGIMMAnimals

November 19

[media presentation below]
GospelThink

Wednesday, November 19

LUKE 19:11-28
In my story I make it clear that you should use what you have been given.

Prayerthoughts
a. The man going on the journey is God who has given me spiritual "coins" or certain spiritual abilities that I can develop, according to my own capabilities. Those spiritual abilities deal with the spiritual things in my life such as prayer, spiritual reading, different devotions, spiritual retreats, spiritual workbooks, attendance at Mass, etc. Take the time to thank the Lord for the spiritual gifts that I have received.

b. The man who had the most coins earned more, building on what he had been given. Which spiritual talent should I develop more in my spiritual life?

c. The one who did not make use of the coins he was given received no reward, in fact, some “punishment.” Obviously Jesus's story should move me to make a better use of the talents I have been given.

d. How would I rate my development of the spiritual talents I have been given so far?

e. I want to continue to use the Lord's gifts in my life. I should take the time to thank the Lord for giving me so much.

f. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-31 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

USING THE TALENTS WE HAVE

+ The Gospel is probably a combination of two parables that have two separate conclusions,

- but perhaps the one to center in on is the use of the talents that we have been given

- Jesus uses the idea of money, the gold coin, and says that you have to work with what you have in order to make more

- generalizing, we can talk about not only the material things that we have been given, but all of our talents and skills

- the Lord calls us to develop what we have

+ There are some general considerations as we listen to the story and consider the first reading as well:

- first of all, when we are given some talents, some abilities, we are meant to develop them, and do the best we can with what we have

- we all have them, even if we don’t think that they are very much

- secondly, we are not all given the same—some of us receive five, some, two, some, one, but we all are given something

- we all can do something if we want to

- thirdly, doing nothing with what we have is condemned

- what little the person has will be taken away

- and perhaps a fourth consideration coming from the first reading today from Maccabees: it takes courage to use what we have, even if it is only the fact that we resist evil as the mother and her sons did in the reading

+ Jesus’ story can be applied in the professional circle or the spiritual circle

- the obvious application to us as we gather for praise of God is the motivation that we should have toward the spiritual in our lives

- why aren’t we motivated properly in spiritual matters?

- why don’t we use the talents that we have in a spiritual way?

+ There are probably many reasons why we aren’t motivated in spiritual matters

- spiritual writers say quite bluntly that one of the principal reasons why we do not develop our spiritual lives is that we have it too good

- they point out that we don’t know what it means to depend on God, or to depend on others

- we don’t have to think of God because God is blocked out by all the goods and glitter of this world

- we should listen to that reasoning

- perhaps we don’t think of God because we have too many other things that occupy our minds

+ We can be truly spiritual people, holy people if we want to—all we have to do is use the talents and skills that we have been given.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Animals" -- Maroon 5

LIKE ANIMALS

The Gospel

MATTHEW 26:36-39

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

Gospelthink: In my human nature, I felt the pain of abandonment, but I allowed God to work. As I turn to prayer, do I allow God to work in my life?

"I'm preying on you tonight, hunt you down, eat you alive, just like animals. Maybe you think that you can hide. So what you trying to do to me. It's like we can't stop. We're enemies, but we get along when I'm [with] you.You're like a drug that's killing me. I cut you out entirely. But I get so high when I'm [with] you." [lyrics adjusted]

What were Jesus' feelings like? We do not have a complete answer to the question, of course, because we cannot get into Jesus' mind. But we have some indication from the way the writers of the Gospel talk about him and his actions. When Jesus was about to undergo the Roman process of crucifixion, he knew that he did not want that pain. His prayer, therefore, was to allow it to pass him by. He quickly came to an understanding of what he had to do, however, and he resolutely told his Father that he would do what had to be done.

Analyzing his actions, we conclude that his immediate feelings were to avoid the pain, but he saw what he had to do. If he allowed only his human feelings to control him, he would choose something that he did not want.

Studying Maroon 5's song "Animals," one could conclude that the man in the relationship realized what his physical feelings may do to him. But he allowed those feelings to control him because he still wanted the "high." His friend was "like a drug," and in the end, the whole relationship just might "kill" him, but his desire for the "high" motivated him to be with her.

When our feelings control us, we may have difficulties as we mature. Our human feelings in general want to make things easier for us, that is, to keep away from immediate pain or give into a desire for temporary illicit pleasure. It may indeed be easier for us, but in the long run, it may harm us for perhaps a significant amount of time. We learn from Jesus that control of feelings is the way to live well.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, feelings are such an important part of our life here on earth. We like good feelings and want always to pursue them. Your Son teaches us however that at times we must control our good feelings in order to follow your will. May we learn from him. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: When our feelings control us, we will often have difficulties as we grow.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Jesus prays before every important happening in his life. In your opinion, do most Christians pray as much as they should? In your opinion, what is the most common petition Christians ask from the Lord?
2. Text analysis: "Keep watch with me." What do you think the Lord wanted from his Apostles?
3. Text analysis: "like animals." In what way can pursuing another romantically be "like animals"?
4. Text analysis: How can the couple in the song be enemies and still get along?
5. Text analysis: "You're like a drug that's killing me." What is the meaning of the sentence?
6. The context of the song is a sexual one. In your opinion, are the songs of today too explicit when it comes to physical sexuality? Yes or no and why?
7. The Catholic Church is clearly opposed to premarital sex, considering it to be seriously wrong, and yet there are many Catholic couples who practice it. In your opinion, do couples consider this to be a sin? Yes or no and why?
8. In your opinion, is premarital sex always wrong? Yes or no and why?
9. What are the best ways to prevent premarital sex between couples who feel that they are in love?
10. Besides the sexual feelings, what other feelings do human beings experience that tend to "control" them?
11. In general, do you think that human beings "control" their feelings well? Yes or no and why?
12. What does the song "Animals" teach young people?