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TGIMMNovember28.html

November 28
[media presentation below] GospelThink Thursday, November 28, 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 write a prayer of thanks to God and thank someone among my acquaintances.
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: "Black Widow" -- beginning session THE IDEAL OF A FAMILY

The Gospel

MATTHEW 2:13-15

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Gospelthink: The family of Jesus had to react to the hostility of the world. Do I too easily give into what the evils of the world suggest?

The movie “Black Widow” opens with a man-made family, the husband, Alexia Shostakov and wife, Melina Vostokoff, and two children Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova. The husband and wife are Russian undercover agents, and after they escape back to Russia via Cuba, Natasha and Yelena are sent to the Red Room for training from Russian General Dreykov. Then years past.
Natasha managed to escape to SHIELD, the Avengers organization, while eventually Yelena is freed from the Red Room’s hold on her as well. They team up together and looking for the place of the Red Room and General Dreykov, they free Shostakov from prison and eventually join together with Vostokoff, whom Romanoff convinces to join them in overcoming Dreykov. Although they were not a real family, they wanted to have the feeling of being a family together.

The concept of family is of vital importance as we try to live well in today's world. No matter what the situations of the individual members, being part of a family often is the glue that not only holds people together but gives its members a foundation from which one can function. Families, of course, are of all kinds, and in some cases because of human frailty and sin, families are a source of pain, but for the most part, being part of a family is good for human beings.

The little family that the Church has chosen to call the Holy Family had many difficulties. Not even considering the fact that Jesus was divine-made-human, the family lived during a time and place in which most people were poor and hurting. Not only that, but there were special difficulties that arose because of the people who thought of Jesus to be someone special. The magi from their point of view saw him as a king which caused jealousy from the local king, and the family had to react to the insane hatred of that king.

It is very interesting that in the understanding of the Marvel comics world, family is likewise an important concept. The made-up family in which the Black Widow was to grow lived a lie to begin with, but during and after the conquest of evil, the one thing that the original four member make-shift family desired was to be a family again. The understanding of family was important to their well-being.

Whether we like it or not, we all can point to a family of origin. Even if the family is "messed up" because of whatever circumstance, each of us have can benefit from the good feeling that comes from being part of a family. We all should be aware of both how to help our families and how to interact with them.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, You have created us to be members of a family. Each of us are very aware of the gifts and needs of that family. Help us do the best that we can to make our families be better. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Even in the most difficult of circumstances, the appeal of being a family is strong.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 62 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In your opinion, why is a good family important in today's world?
3. What can friends do when some of their friends are hurting because of family problems?
4. What causes jealousy among families?
5. In your opinion, what are the most important virtues that every family should have?
6. If there are problems in your own family, what is the best way to help solve them?