miracle2

October 20

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Tuesday, October 20

LUKE 12:35-38

You must be always prepared for the end of your life.

Prayerthoughts
a. The evangelist Luke is reflecting on his understanding of the end times. Does my death fill me with fear?

b. What do you think is the meaning of the word “vigilant”?

c. The imagery is truly liberating: Jesus actually will serve the people who are vigilant. It is an extremely hopeful vision of eternal life. In general, am I hopeful in my attitude toward life?

d. In what ways am I preparing for my meeting with Jesus at the end of my life?

e. My prayerthoughts….

Today I will read Ephesians 2:12-22 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

BEING PREPARED

+ Paul reminds the Christians of Ephesus that as Christians they have a special status:

- not only are they not strangers and aliens any longer

- but they are closely connected with holiness

- they make up a building with Jesus as the foundation

+ You and I are part of that building as well

- it is a building that will last forever because Jesus is the foundation

- and because he is, there must be a constant dependence on him

+ That dependence has the characteristic of being ready, prepared to meet him when he calls on us which means a couple of things:

1 – the idea of accepting him without delay

- we often would prefer our own timing

- for example, our own deaths

- with the way that we want things to be

- but being ready implies immediate acceptance of the way Jesus wants things to work out

- realizing that the way things happen are all part of God’s plan

- and we accept them no matter what—immediately

2 – the idea of constantly being wide-awake

- that Jesus is not a stranger to us

- no matter when he calls, we are there to answer, for example,

- the call for help of someone that we can help

- the desire to accept the Christian way of action no matter what the situation

- in the workplace or at home

3 – recognize that things are going well

- which is basically an attitude

- there may be moments when the feeling is not there

- but accepting that things are going well is more than a feeling

- we actually work toward the attitude of being well

+ We are called to be fellow citizens of saints

- and fellow citizens are constantly prepared for the way to become a saint through Jesus.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "The Miracle Season" -- final session

THE GUIDANCE OF THE SPIRIT

The Gospel

JOHN 16:12-14

Jesus said, "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

Gospelthink: The Holy Spirit will come upon you to lead you in your life and the life to come. Do I pray to the Holy Spirit to aid me?

The volleyball team at West High School in Iowa City, Iowa were in a state of mourning for their captain, Caroline "Line" Found. Her father was even more distressed as he felt the loss of both his daughter and his wife who had died from cancer. Incredibly the team was able to make a comeback with the leadership of their coach, Kathy Bresnahan and Caroline's best friend Kelley Fliehler using the inspiration of their deceased captain as motivation. At the same time, following the same motivation, Dr. Found was able to withstand his sorrow. The team won their second straight State championship, a truly miraculous accomplishment.

How does the Holy Spirit act in our lives? As we always do, we look for spiritual answers in our Scriptures. Jesus was speaking late in his public life of ministry about the Holy Spirit, what he called the "Spirit of truth" or the "Advocate." It is significant how he described it. The Spirit of truth will guide the Apostles to whom Jesus is speaking. Jesus was praying that the Apostles would listen to the Spirit who will guide them to how Jesus thinks.

Often during his ministry the Lord referred to what should happen in our lives, implying that we should allow the motivation of good people to be part of our thought. We think of the examples of Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, and the Apostles when they understood the Lord. Judging from what Jesus said about the Spirit, it was the Spirit who guided them to truth. The Spirit inspired others by having them consider the good people of Jesus's time.

One can see that idea at work in the life of very inspiring people in our world as well, as Line was for the people of Iowa City High School. She had motivated the school and especially the volleyball team to the height of achievement. Translated into spiritual terms, the Holy Spirit was inspiring the people who thought of her with the thought of true accomplishment.

The Holy Spirit will lead us to the Lord's words and actions. In every day life, it means that we will be guided by the inspiration of good people and even everything that happens to accomplish the good things that the Lord wants.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, You and Your Son guide us by giving us the grace of the Holy Spirit. May we learn that everything that happens to us, even the difficulties of life can be graces that help us. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: The inspiration that comes from knowing another is one of ways the Holy Spirit guides us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 46 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. What does the movie "The Miracle Season" teach young people?
3. What is your understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives?
4. What are the principal difficulties of our High Schools today, and what can be done about them?
5. The meditation uses the idea that the Holy Spirit used good people to be inspiration to others. What are some examples of that in our lives?
6. As the finals approached in the Volleyball championship, the chance of "losing" was very real in the minds of those who supported West volleyball. Why is it necessary to understand that "winning" or "losing" a game has nothing to do with spirituality?
7. Give an example of "losing" which is a means to help people.