October 23

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, October 23

LUKE 12:49-53
My followers should be adamant in following me.

Prayerthoughts
a. We who are Jesus's followers must be enthusiastic as we speak of the Lord. What are the things that I am enthusiastic about in my world, and where is "proclaim the Kingdom of God" among them?

b. Jesus speaks of his death as he speaks here of "baptism," and he is anxious that it will come. As I prepare for my own death, what is the one thing that I must accomplish?

c. Jesus would proclaim peace in the world. The problem is that many will not accept his doctrine. So it will bring in some cases, a house divided. I have no doubt that I will choose the Lord, but is it clear that I have accepted the Lord's doctrine in every instance?

d. What are the things that divide families now?

e. Are there instances of anger and hatred In the family in which I am involved right now (immediate family, community family, etc.)? What can I do about it?

f. My prayerthoughts...

Today I will read Romans 6:19-23 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE SLAVE OF GOD

+ What does it mean to be a “slave of God”

- such is the phrase that Paul uses in his letter to the Romans: “You have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God”

- in Paul’s understanding, a slave of God is one who has recognized what sinfulness has done, and is now ready to give up the wages of sin—as he says—and accept the gift of God completely

+ If one becomes a slave of God, there will be certain consequences

- in the Gospel, Jesus tells his followers who accept such slavery that they will have some difficult times

- saying in effect, that if a person is going to be a follower of his, people are not always going to agree with you

Do you think I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

- Jesus’s reasoning is this: as a Christian, we are always going to be disturbed by the fact that there is sin in the world—the wages of sin, as Paul identifies it

- and the followers of Jesus—the slaves of God—will do something about it—reform themselves, call attention to the evil around them, etc.

- and in general, people do not like to be told that they could be sinning, that there could be evil in their lives---

- such slaves of God could easily be treated with disrespect and harm

+ In today’s setting, of course, Christianity does not cause that type of division

- most of the United States is Christian; most people around here are Christian

- most people here accept Christianity as a religion to believe

- but the fact is that we are still far from what Christianity calls us to be

+ What the slave of God—namely you and I—is called to do

- is not convert a pagan world to Christianity, as the early Christians were called to do

- but to convert a Christian world to a renewed Christianity

- and the means to do it is exactly the same as the past slaves of God

- we must understand the gift of God, namely Jesus in our lives

- which means studying what his message is, what he really wants us to do

- to understand that living a Christian life necessarily involves going against the evils that human beings are prone to

+ The modern day slave of God is called to a truly committed life

- a committed life which drives us to be advocates for things that really matter in the world,

- we do that and Jesus doesn’t promise peace right away because we will disturb some people

- but eventually we could lead ourselves and the world to what might be called real peace, and eventually, eternal life.

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?