TGIMMxmen1

November 4

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Monday, November 4

LUKE 14:12-14
I teach you about real generosity and humility.

Prayerthoughts
a. Jesus teaches humility again, saying that you do not sponsor a banquet for those who will pay you back. That is the wrong reason for giving a banquet. Do I spend time giving to others only to have them give back to me, or am I truly generous in my actions?

b. You invite people for the sake of being a truly giving people. Do I give things to others for their benefit?

c. The Lord speaks specifically of the poor and the hurting in society. Do I take particular pains to help the poor and/or homeless in my community in some way?

d. Jesus gives a "prerequisite" for entering the Kingdom, namely true selflessness, not worrying about what you will get in this world. Am I too concerned about myself as I go about my activities?

e. My prayerthougths...

Today, I will read Phillipians, chapter 2:1-4 and write an
important thought from it;

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE PROPER GIVING OF OURSELVES

+ Both readings today seem to ask the question: “Why do we give to one another?”

- with the reading from Philippians, we give to one another because we are one and should be concerned about one another

- with Jesus in Luke’s Gospel

- we give to others with no interest of ourselves at all

- that is, without expecting anything in return

- we do not give to be repaid

+ The proper giving of ourselves to others involves first of all, a proper understanding of how important others are

- too often we think in terms of comparison with others when we think of them

- especially those who are—say—in the same profession or in the same tax bracket or people of similar backgrounds

- and as we compare ourselves with them, we are often very critical of them

- the truly spiritual person will look at everyone as better than they are with no comparison

- and this sets up an attitude

- an attitude of “Since others are just as important as I am, and I am just as important as they are, I will act in such and such a way”

- such a person can never look down on others, no matter who they are and consequently will treat everyone with the utmost respect

+ And secondly, the proper giving to others involves giving with no thought of repayment

- difficult to do in this world that is so centered—and rightly so—on justice

- here, we are going far beyond justice

- we are giving of ourselves with no thought of getting paid for it in any way

- going further than what we are paid for

- too often we are into the “you owe me one” syndrome

- there can never be that type of feeling for a spiritual person

+ In Christianity, the other person, the Neighbor, capital N, is always of supreme importance

- the truly spiritual person must understand how important the other is and learn the value of giving to them.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "X-Men: First Class" -- beginning session

PROUD OF WHO WE ARE

The Gospel

MATTHEW 18:1-5

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."

Gospelthink: Children are so important to me--they teach us an example. We should treat them with great care. Am I good to the children around me?

The movie "X-Men: First Class" traces the origin of the comic book characters known as X-Men. The comic book is based on the fantasy that there are "mutants" in our world, people whose genes are slightly altered as they are born. It causes those people to have special powers and abilities over and above their normal functions. The movie begins with three in particular: Eric Lensherr, a mutant with magnetic power who was a young prisoner in one of the concentration camps in Germany, Sebastian Shaw, a scientist employed at the concentration camp, a person who is able to absorb energy, and Charles Xavier, a telepath, who is graduating from college in another part of the world. Eventually, as the other mutants are discovered, the whole question of "being happy with who you are" comes for discussion. Should mutants want to be "normal" and call for changing their appearance without changing their abilities? It leads to the thought of acceptance of who we are, and at the same time, wanting to be the best we can be.

When Jesus was asked to speak of those who would be part of the Kingdom that he was preaching, he chose to talk of a child. The reason he gave was that a child "humbles himself," a phrase that might mean a number of things. Most of all probably it conveys the thought that the child will be satisfied with who he/she is, and will not put on any false airs that makes him/her to be better than anyone else.

When Beast and Raven, mutants in the movie "X-Men: First Class" study the fact that they are mutants, they become ashamed of who they are. It is a struggle for both of them throughout the movie to see that they are worthwhile just the way they are. In the end, Raven accepts evil as a way of life because although she could tell Beast "to be proud" of who he was, she was not able to discern what love of self really is.

A true love of self not only accepts the fact that we are human beings with certain traits, with the looks that we have inherited, and the ability to change our lifestyles if we want. A true love of self also will accept the fact that we need some guide as we understand who we are. Such a guide should lead us to do good rather than evil, choose life rather than death, and to show love rather than hate. As Christians, of course, we have chosen to follow the God-man Jesus Christ whose central doctrine implied that love had to be the center of our lives.

Children are proud of who they are because they have made the judgment that they cannot change their lives and that it is good thing. But they also realize that they need help. Jesus reminds us that we can all learn from such an example.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you have created us and given us the gifts of our lives. Help us truly accept who we are and what we should be so that we may live healthy lives here on our earth. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Human beings are called to be happy with who they are, and wanting to accomplish good things in their lives.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 61 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In Jesus' kingdom, no one will be more important than another. Why do people like to think of themselves as "better than others"?
3. Text analysis: "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me." Give your interpretation of Jesus' words.
4. Define your understanding of a true "love of self."
5. Do you think that most Christians understand that Jesus is truly a "guide" to their lives? Yes or no and why?
6. Scene analysis: the concentration camp. For the most part, the Holocaust was caused by Christian people. In your opinion, what was the principal evil that caused it?
7. The movie has a number of violent scenes. In your opinion, does the violence portrayed in movies affect young people in an adverse way? Yes or no and why?
8. The movie portrays some higher military people who are influenced by sex and money. Do you think that there is much of this corruption in our military? Yes or no and why?
9. Scene analysis: the young mutants "fool around," showing very little maturity. What is the best indication that people are mature?