October 18

    [media presentation below]

GospelThink

Saturday, October 18, St. Luke, Evangelist

LUKE 10:1-9
I give instructions to help everyone understand the Kingdom of God.


Prayerthoughts
a. A spiritual thought with these "seventy-two" is that we are part of them sent to announce the Kingdom wherever we are. Am I fulfilling my mission well?

b. "Like lambs among wolves." In many ways, we are part of a hostile world. In my own little world, where do I see the most hostility, and besides praying for it, is there anything I can do?

c. Jesus wanted his Apostles to travel "light" because he did not want material things to hold back the message that they were to preach. As I live in the world, are there material things that are holding me back from God’s presence? What can I do about it?

d. The Lord wants the thought of peace to surround our encounter with others. As I study what I have done, am I trying to spread peace?

e. Obviously, I cannot heal the sick in my acquaintance. But do I show signs of personal concern—a card, a visit, etc.—to the people that I know who are ill?

f.  My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read 2 Timothy 4:10-17b and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  

LIKE LUKE
+ Both readings today are chosen because of today’s feast—Luke the evangelist
          - he wrote both a Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, actually one book, with two chapters
          - he was with Paul for a while, and so he was influenced by a strongly opinionated missionary (1st)
          - tradition has it that he was one of the 72 who worked on behalf of Jesus (Gospel)
 
+ Probably the best meditation for the spiritual person lies in the fact that in a sense we are all part of the 72 disciples
          - we are helpers of Jesus as Luke was
                     - and given our spiritual call, we are sent to prepare for Jesus’s coming in whatever situation in which we are involved
          - and as we do that, there are a couple things that stand out:
 
1 – we are not going to be totally accepted by others, that is, there will probably not be open hostility as Paul and Jesus talk of,
          - but what might be called “complacency-hostility”
                     - people for whom God is not a factor in their lives
                               - somehow, our calling is to make God a force again in whatever way possible
                                         - maybe just our actions, or bringing about more prayer somehow
2 – we have to be focused in our approach—what Jesus was trying to point out by saying “no walking staff,” etc.
          - we should control the things that could distract us
                     - the outside influences of the world that tend to dominate our lives
3 – peace should be one of our guidelines as it was for Luke in his Gospel
          - really work for peace and harmony in the situations in which we are involved
          - peace among the people that you come into contact with
4 – as the 72, we are all missionaries preparing for Jesus, and there are two specific directives for the missionaries in the Gospels:
          - cure the sick—compassion on those who are hurting
          - preach the Kingdom of God—do the actions of a Christian,
5 – Like Paul in the first reading, trust that the Lord will be with us as we go about our tasks
 
+ Luke was concerned about making Jesus/God/Church more present in his world
          - we are called to do the same in our own world.













MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie -- "Bridge of Spies" -- final session

DETERMINED TO BRING ABOUT GOOD



 

The Gospel


MATTHEW 20:17-19

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Gospelthink: I tell my disciples about my final days and the Resurrection. Do I live the Lord's Resurrection in my life?

Successfully reducing Russian spy Rudolf Abel's sentence to years of prison, James Donovan was given the assignment from the United States government to obtain the release of captured U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers. The thought was to exchange the U-2 pilot for Rudolf Abel. Because of his involvement with Abel, Donovan was given the task. During the negotiations, Donovan saw the opportunity to obtain the release of another American who was arrested, Frederich Pryor. Donovan had to fight the politics of the CIA, the USSR, and the German Democratic Republic in obtaining the exchange, but he was determined to do it. Because of his determination, he was able to carry it out.

The human Jesus was determined in the acceptance of his task as redeemer of humankind. He knew full well what the outcome of his trip to Jerusalem as outlined in Matthew's Gospel would be, but he was prepared to accept whatever would happen. He also knew that the person of the Messiah was necessary for the betterment of all human beings. Therefore he was determined to make his trip to Jerusalem.

Attorney Jim Donovan in the movie based on his accomplishments, "Bridge of Spies" was also a determined human being. His was not the redemption of the world as Jesus's was, but it led to the redemption of sorts for three human beings. His dedication to his job as an attorney led to Rudolf Abel's return to his country; his obedience to his country obtained Francis Gary Powers' release; and his sheer willpower additionally freed Frederich Pryor from immoral imprisonment. All three acts were fraught with danger, but his determination to bring about good knew no limits.

Any human being who honestly wishes to bring a small amount of good into his/her own little world should learn from Jim Donovan's determination. If we are determined to create an atmosphere of true humanness to our actions, we must be willing to show it when it is possible, and not merely think about doing it. As the movie accounts at its conclusion, Donovan's determination was instrumental in freeing future Americans as well. Our own determination to bring about good should be just as firm.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son was determined in his resolve to redeem us, teaching us at the same time the importance of the virtue of determination. May we continually thank You for Your dedication to us, and may we learn better to keep our commitments. Be with us, we pray.

 

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT


Theme: We must be determined to bring about good.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 65 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. The Gospel is the most detailed of Jesus's prediction of his Passion, Death and Resurrection in the Gospels. In general, how do you understand the process of redemption? (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 613-617.)
3. Give your own definition of "being determined."
4. What are the two or three areas in our lives which require determination?
5. What does it mean to be more "human" in our approach to others?
6. What example of determination has inspired you the most?
7. Analysis: In your opinion, do you think that Jim Donovan did more than he had to do to help Abel? Yes or no and why?
8. Scene analysis: The U-2 planes spy on "enemies." In your opinion, should any country "spy" on other countries? Yes or no and why?
9. Scene analysis: the crossover at Glienicke bridge. What is most striking about the scene? Why?
10. What does the movie "Bridge of Spies" teach young people?

 

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America