November 6

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, November 6

LUKE15:1-10
Rejoice for Finding

Prayerthoughts

a. The fact is that I am a sinner, and therefore need to hear the Lord’s words. A prayer asking for forgiveness is in order.

b. Are there some people in my acquaintances that I have deliberately shunned? If so, what should I do to welcome them again?

c. What are the things that give me “great joy”? Should there be more “spiritual” things for which I am joyful? What are some ways to be more spiritually joyful?

d. What are some things for which I must be more sorrowful? What can I do to show more repentance?

e. Do I consider myself “self-righteous” (in no need of repentance)? What can I do about it?

f. As I study my life so far, when was I most in need of repentance?

g. My prayerthoughts….

Today I will read Romans 14:7-12 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

LOST AND FOUND

+ The Gospel contains two stories of how anxious God is to treat sinners and eventually forgive them

- a thought that gives tremendous hope to a Christian

- all we have to do is acknowledge our need of repentance

- and if God is this anxious—

- going to look for the lost sheep

- turning the house upside down to find a lost item

--you can be assured that God forgives us

- at the slightest sign of repentance, God is ready to forgive

- and immediately after these two parables in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son or Forgiving Father

- it is the same theme of forgiveness, developing our need to recognize that we are lost or that we want to be forgiven

+ Paul, in the first reading, realized that he was lost

- and he tells the Romans that now he is found as he professes Jesus

“If we live, we live for the Lord,” he says

- he had been lost, and now is found because he lives for the Lord

+ That idea of being lost and found by Jesus is an important one

- some people really don’t realize that they are lost

- and wander through life pursuing their own desires, without worrying about anyone else’s direction, and really are nothing but selfish

- and need desperately to be brought back to the true idea of Christianity

+ Of course, our spirituality is mainly about ourselves

- we have to consider the possibility that we are lost

- we are not lost in the sense of not knowing what direction we should be going because we are here, and therefore we know that Jesus is the way to find ourselves

- but we may be lost in the sense that we are not doing enough as we consider our spiritual lives

- perhaps we have become complacent with our connection with God, and have to work on it a little bit more: a little more charity toward people, a little more reading of Scripture, a little more prayer throughout the day

+ It is obvious from the Gospel that Jesus wants to find us

- but, at the same time, we have to want to be found.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "What Lovers Do" -- Maroon 5 featuring SZA

WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER

LUKE 3:10-15

The crowds asked [John the Baptist], “What then should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.

"Tell me if you love me or not. I bet the house on you. Am I lucky or not? Been wishin’ for you. Are we too grown for games? Are we too grown to play around, young enough to chase, but old enough to know better. I can’t wait forever. Both of us should know better.”

A very big part of "growing up" is the knowledge of when to be a little more mature in our actions. It was one of the first messages of the Gospel, as spoken already by the precursor of Jesus, John the Baptist, in the very first part of Jesus' time with us. John knew his audience. He knew that many of them had done nothing more than play games with life. Consequently, John told them basically, "Grow up," that is, carefully look at what you have done in the past, and see that life involves a maturity that leads away from the selfishness of that past.

It is not unlike the message of the man in the love relationship described in Maroon 5 and SZA's song "What Lovers Do." He is telling his friend that they have been playing games with love in the past, but that they should be old enough to know better now. Knowing better consists of understanding love, and understanding how a mature relationship must happen. One cannot fool around with true love. Either you "play games" or you honestly work for a possible commitment.

There are many suggestions offered by experts on how to make relationships last. Those who have studied relationships tell us for example to wait until we are older before making a lasting commitment or to allow "love" time to mature or to give up one's own personal wants or to work at becoming best friends. But basically it is nothing more than allowing the immature selfishness of youth to dissolve.

It is easy to fool around with love and the feelings of love without any real desire to "grow up." John the Baptist said it to his listeners. Modern music often does the same by entreating those who want true love to work at it, and do what both in a relationship should know better.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, as we grow, we often want to remain in a state of immaturity and "fool around" with life. Give us the grace to listen to your prophets, and help us grow in true maturity. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Even though it feels good to be immature, we must work toward maturity.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. John the Baptist was very clear in wanting people to change their ways within their professions. If you had the chance to address the leaders of our world, what would you say to them?
2. It seems that the people who came to listen to John the Baptist were sincere in their desire to better themselves. In general, what do most of us need to accomplish in order to be better people?
3. Song analysis: "play games." What games to people play in love relationships?
4. Give your own definition of "maturity."
5. In a love relationship, what are some things that we should "know better"?
6. What is the best way to allow the selfishness of youth to dissolve?
7. What does the song "What Lovers Do" teach young people?