TGIMMjack2

November 27

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, November 27, Thanksgiving (USA)

LUKE 17:11-19
“Realize” and Thankfulness

Prayerthoughts

a. In Jesus’ day, leprosy was a disease for which there was no cure. There are a number of instances like leprosy in our world. How do I treat those who are handicapped in some way?

b. One of my prayers should be the idea of my own sinfulness, saying “Have pity on me.” Do I reflect on my sinfulness enough (but not too much)?

c. Jesus instructs the lepers to show themselves to the priests, which was the law of the Israelites. Do I show sufficient respect for the law of our country and our Church?

d. Maybe the most important word in this story is the word “realize.” Have I made an effort to continually realize the importance of what the Lord has done for me?

e. The central thought for the passage is the thought of thankfulness. Do I spend enough time thanking the Lord for those things that I realize?

f. In the passage, it is a Samaritan, another “religion” who gives thanks. Do I think of other religions as men and women seeking their salvation through their understanding of God?

g. The leper’s faith led him to salvation. Do I show my faith often enough to others?

h. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 and writ an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

REALIZE

+ The key word in that Gospel passage is the word “realize”

- the Samaritan leper is the “hero”, a person not part of the chosen people

- he is able to not only see what is happening, but he fully understands what it all means—he is able to realize what is going on

- the word carries with it some important nuances especially as we think of Thanksgiving today

+ The one who truly realizes does so without any selfishness

- selfishness is the typical response in this instance

- it is the response of the “other nine”

- they had something good happen to them and their concentration was on what they received

- selfishness has a tendency to block “thanksgiving”

- because the selfish person in a sense feels that he is “owed” by God or by others

- especially when there have been some “problems” in one’s life

- and finally something “good” happens

- there are many things that we take for granted

- a person’s health, a person’s well-being

- the selfish person doesn’t even think that Someone caused them to be a person—alive, with all kinds of gifts—in the first place

+ Secondly, the word “realize” carries with it a desire for doing something

- the leper had to go back to Jesus to acknowledge what had happened

- a person who understands what has happened to him in his life will understand that he is bound in justice to do something

- not in charity, but in justice

- he must give thanks to God

- there must be a significant giving of time and money or what I make or have

- because the person who realizes really understands the need to give back

- it is exactly what we have been saying with our whole stewardship approach in the parish the past month

+ Thirdly, the word “realize” implies consistency

- Paul writes probably a little cynically to the Corinthians because he had a rough time with them

- but his point is that he continually gives thanks

- thanksgiving is not a matter of once a year or a one-time gift

- it is a matter of consistently understanding that we should give thanks to God and people

- setting up an “attitude of thankfulness” or the catch phrase that many people use this time of year, an “attitude of gratitude”

+ You and I are called to realize what we have been given on a spiritual level

- once we realize, then real thanksgiving will happen.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Jack Reacher" -- final session

DRIVEN BY TRUTH AND FREEDOM

John 8:31-36

Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free?'" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free."

Gospelthink: I tell the disciples and you that the truth will be the means by which you can truly live. Am I committed to the truth all the time?

In the movie named after him, Jack Reacher set out to find a soldier by the name of James Barr because he wanted to punish him for killing innocent people. But, as he studied the situation, even though he wanted to convict Barr, Reacher began to see the truth. He finally concluded that the man was innocent and "set up" for a crime that he did not commit. Driven by a desire for the truth, Reacher discovered the evil of people who wanted control and were willing to destroy anyone in their way. The circumstances were even more complicated since it involved people who had promised society to seek the truth, but who had been forced to follow evil.

In one of the scenes of the movie "Jack Reacher," when Reacher was trying to determine whether Barr was innocent or not, he had a discussion about freedom with Helen Rodin, Barr's attorney. Viewing people who were doing their day-to-day boring work, he asked the question about who was truly free. The truth is that people are really not truly free because their lives are "determined" by circumstances, and only when people comprehend that fact, and want to do something about it will they grasp the truth about life in general.

During his lifetime in one of his discussions with his Apostles, Jesus spoke of truth and freedom as well. He pointed out that freedom is only freedom when we choose a guide for our behavior, namely, himself, the son of the Father. Once they had made the choice, then they would be free, and they would possess the truth. As he said, "The truth will set you free."

Jesus was speaking of religious truth, of course, which is part of a general category of truth. For a person of Christian faith, the truth spoken by Jesus is truly a guide. In general, every one of us, Christian or otherwise, is called to truth. Our task is to know the truth before we make any judgments about the situation. It is not an easy task because we tend to make judgments about situations, and believe that it is "the truth" without knowing all the facts.

We are called to be truthful people. Before we can achieve such a goal, we have to be willing to work at what the truth really is. Jack Reacher knew that he had to find it in order to act well. It is an important lesson to learn for all of life.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we believe that your Son has given us the truth that will guide us. Give us the grace to honestly seek the truth in the way that we interact with others. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We must know the whole truth before we make any judgment.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 62 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In general, why does the truth make us free?
3. When Jesus says in the Gospels, "Amen, amen, I say to you...", it is a way of saying that we must really listen to what is said. In general, do most Christians truly listen to the word of God? Yes or no and why?
4. Analysis: what is the meaning of a "slave of sin"?
5. Analysis: The meditation refers to the discussion on "freedom." In your opinion, are Americans "really" free? Yes or no and why?
6. In what way are people "determined by circumstances"?
7. Christians have made the choice to choose Jesus as their guide in their behavior. At times they do not show it. What Christian doctrines are the most difficult for Christian people? Why?
8. Why do people often make "judgments" about situations without knowing all the facts?
9. "Knowing the truth" is a principle of a good life. What are some other principles that every good person should follow?
10. Analysis: Reacher cannot be forced to stop his investigation. In society today, what are some examples of people trying to "force" others into doing something?
11. Scene analysis: Reacher is "set up" for the death of Sandy. The real crime is that Sandy is killed so easily, as if she were not important. Who are the "not important" people in today's world? How can we treat them better?
12. Scene analysis: the Russian members masquerading as legitimate business people. Obviously there is some of this dishonesty in the business world today. Do you think that it is a common problem? Yes or no and why?
13. Analysis: As usual in movies such as this one, there is much killing. Does this type of movie affect young people in an adverse way? Yes or no and why?
14. Scene analysis: Helen Rodin is about to give up because of all the people being hurt. What is the best way to motivate ourselves to keep on doing good?
15. Analysis: Reacher carries out "justice" without going through the courts. Why is this wrong?
16. What does the movie "Jack Reacher" teach young people?