october 11 23

October 23

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Friday, October 23

LUKE 12:54-59

You must read the signs to know what is right.

Prayerthoughts
a. Jesus reminds us that we can read the signs of nature. I should be able to read the signs of what is happening in the world. And in particular, how people are turning away from God. In my life right now, what are instances where I am turning away from what God wants?

b. Jesus tells us to determine what is "right." What are the best means to help me form my conscience? As I form it, do I try to follow what is right even if it is difficult?

c. In particular, how do I treat the people with whom I have a particular problem? Do I "confront" them in a sensible way with love as a guide? Or, if I can't do that, do I at least pray that they will allow God's graces to be with them?

d. As I think of the court system where I am, are there some laws that are harmful to some people? What can I do about them?

e. My prayerthoughts…

Today I will read Ephesians 4:1-6 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

INTERPRETING THE PRESENT TIME

+ One of the best ways to use Scripture as a personal meditation is to center in on the questions that the Lord proposes according to the different Gospel writers

- here the question from Luke’s Gospel is:

Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

- Jesus is referring to the fact that the people should be able to predict some things about their personal futures

- he calls attention to the fact that they know how to interpret the weather by studying the earth and sky

- if you know that, Jesus says, then you should be able to interpret the things of the present day and in particular things that are going on in your own lives

- that is, what you are doing with your life, saying that a person should be able to judge for him or herself what is right

+ Paul is speaking of the same thing in a way

- he urges the Ephesians to live a life in a manner worthy of the call they have received

- basically a call to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and in particular, what Paul is talking about here,

- the call for unity

+ And so the question becomes from both readings: why can’t we followers of Jesus interpret what is happening in our lives and see the possibility that we may not be living in a manner worthy of our calling to be one with God

- which leads to a number of deep questions that we should be asking ourselves

- what about the way we treat others?

- what about the language we use when we are with other people who agree with us?

- what about the deep desires for power that is so clearly evident in our world, and in the end hurts other people?

- what about the materialism in our lives, and our need to have more and more things

- and so forth

- deep questions that requires real meditation on our parts

+ Jesus’s point is that we should be able to figure out what the direction of our lives is

- we are following a certain pattern in our lives

- we should be able to tell what it is just by looking at the things that we are doing

- and if we see some things that need changed, we are called to do it.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "The Karate Kid -- beginning session
ADUSTING TO THE PROBLEM

The Gospel

MATTHEW 26:47-50a

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.”

Gospelthink: Judas betrayed me.

One of the difficult things in life for any age is adjusting to a new lifestyle, one that the person has never seen before. Sherry Parker and her twelve year old son Dre both had to make such adjustments in the movie "The Karate Kid." When his mother was transferred to Beijing, China, Dre very dutifully went along. It was not an easy transition for either of them. The movie centers in on Dre in particular who meets friends, but also meets people who do not like him. Some of them turn into his tormentors, and Dre is physically beaten. Dre's life becomes extremely painful as he tries to adjust to his situation, and it is only after a man by the name of Mr. Han takes him into his care that he begins to understand what he can do. Mr. Han himself has an adult understanding of such suffering because he had to adjust to some very painful circumstances in his life as well.

Immature people often do not act well in crises. Sometimes they panic, or they will make decisions that only make matters worse, or they behave in a selfish way that does not help others. Mature people will calmly accept the situation, study what can be done given the circumstances they are in, and adjust to a course of action that is best for all involved.

Jesus of Nazareth knew well the meaning of "adjusting," especially as he approached the end of his life. He had spent time in prayer with his Father, addressing the problem of what he was about to encounter. Now it was time to calmly enter the central act of his life, namely the redemption of humankind. He had a very good idea about what was going to happen in this crisis situation in his life, and he bravely accepted it. In a composed way, he begins the most painful part of his life with the word, “friend.”

One of the signs of maturity is the ability to act well in crisis situations. Most people will not experience immense mental or physical pain during their early years, but they will be involved in painful situations that require actions reflecting maturity. It is difficult to adjust to those situations, but it can be done. Too often, young people find themselves arguing, criticizing and judging others, often blaming others for what has happened. Such immaturity usually causes added harm to an already harmful experience. Crises demand clear thinking, and clear thinking demands the mature ability to deal calmly with anything that happens.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son approached his death with serenity because he knew how to act with maturity. As we come upon some crisis in our lives, we ask for your grace to understand how to behave in a mature way. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme:  Adjusting to new circumstances, especially when there is pain involved, is very difficult, but it can be done.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
THE GOSPEL
1. Judas used the typical signs of how a disciple would greet his teacher to betray Jesus.  It is the absolute highest of insults.  What are the insults that are most difficult to accept?
2. Jesus bravely accepted what he knew would happen. Give your definition of courage.
3. The meditation makes it clear that Jesus was calm as he began this difficult portion of his life.  Why is “being calm” one of the characteristics of a leader?

THE MEDITATION
1. Adjusting to a difficult situation is the theme of this session. What are the best ways to adjust to a difficult situation?
2. What are the situations that are most painful for a young person? For a person of middle age? For an older person?
3. Give some examples of people who have adjusted well to situations in their lives.
4. What are some “crisis situations” that you have seen? How did the people involved act? How should they have acted?

THE MOVIE, PART 1 (approximately 43 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. It is always difficult to begin a situation that is new.  If you were in Dre’s shoes, how would you go about adjusting to a new situation in a foreign country?
3. Scene analysis: the group of boys fight Dre and hurt him. Sometimes this type of physical abuse happens in junior high school on a regular basis. If you were Dre, what would you have done?
4. Why did Dre not try to explain what happened to the appropriate authorities in the school?
5. Scene analysis: Mei Ying’s instructor is very demanding. In your opinion, what is the best way to teach a difficult subject? In particular, should a teacher be this demanding? Yes or no and why?
6. Scene analysis: Dre’s mother really wants to help him. In your opinion, why did he not tell his mother what was happening?
7. Scene analysis: Dre attacks the bullies. Why did he provoke the attack?