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September 19
[media presentation below] GospelThink Thursday, September 19 LUKE 7:36-50 The Pardon of a Sinful Woman Prayerthoughts a. Jesus accepted a dinner invitation from a Pharisee. Even though he knew that the Pharisee would disagree with him, Jesus was willing to give of himself to all. Do I have that same type of attitude toward all? b. The woman showed real signs of repentance with her tears and actions. I have sinned, and do I show signs of repentance in my life? c. Simon the Pharisee judges the woman in his thoughts. Do I find myself judging others without knowing the facts? d. The act of “forgiveness” is essential in Jesus’s story. Have I forgiven everyone who has done or wished me harm? e. The Pharisee had not shown Jesus the usual signs of welcome—a kiss, the washing of feet, and anointing. Perhaps it was an insult to Jesus since the Pharisee did not agree with what Jesus was doing. Do I find myself being insulting toward some other people? f. Jesus says that the person who truly loves will be the one who forgives. The woman truly loved Jesus and therefore her sins are forgiven. The one who does not have love will not be asking for forgiveness. Do I truly acknowledge my sinfulness? g. Ultimately, it was her faith that dictated her actions. Do I continually pray for a greater faith? h. My prayerthoughts… Today I will renew my faith in Jesus, and write a prayer asking for the Lord’s forgiveness.
Some Thoughts on the Liturgy LOVE IS THE CENTER + The center for our consideration with this Gospel first of all is Simon the Pharisee - Jesus asks him: Do you see this woman? - it is an important question - because the answer is “no, he didn’t really see her” - what he saw was what he wanted to see in her actions - he saw a sinner because the woman did not keep the purity codes of the Torah in the Pharisaic way + The question of him could perhaps be better phrased simply: Do you see at all? - because the answer is again “no” - the Pharisee did not see what he was doing, as Jesus points out - he had quite deliberately severely insulted Jesus, and everyone who gathered for this meal knew it - the Pharisee had deliberately refused to show Jesus signs of hospitality + The woman, on the other hand, was able to see what was happening - because she was looking beyond herself - someone that she respected was not being shown courtesy and love - and so she does something about it - she does the very things that Simon refused to do: washing, the kiss, anointing + Jesus points out to Simon and to the people around that her sins are going to be forgiven because she has loved: Her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. - love is the center + We are called to love - if we want sins to be forgiven, then we have to love others - Paul points out to the Corinthians that God’s grace in him has not been ineffective - the call by God to us to love others should not be ineffective.

MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: "Star Trek Beyond" -- final session WINNING BY DYING

The Gospel

MATTHEW 27:50-53

Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

Gospelthink: My death is really what I lived for and now redemption is yours. Do I thank the Lord enough for what he has done for me?

After the Enterprise has been destroyed in the movie "Star Trek Beyond," most of the crew are rescued by Kirk, Spock, Bones and an alien by the name of Jaylah. In the process they discovered that the aliens had decided to use their new-found weapon the Abronath to destroy the Federation station Yorktown and kill thousands of people. Finding an old starship named the USS Franklin, the Enterprise crew headed toward the station to help as much as they could. Managing to destroy the thrust of the aliens, Kirk found himself face to face with Krall who managed to put Kirk into a position in which Kirk would have to die in order to save Yorktown. Kirk was willing to die, saying to Krall that it is "better to die saving lives than to live with taking them."

Studying the symbolism present at Jesus' death, we see that the evangelists saw in the death of Jesus a much deeper reality. In Matthew's Gospel, the veil which protected the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem synagogue could only be passed through by the high priest and that only on a special day. With the veil being torn, now everyone had access to the presence of God. Also the earthquake and saints appearing were symbols of the final age--the Old Testament has now ceased, and the New Testament has begun.

In symbolism, then, Matthew is telling his audience that when Jesus died, all creation was allowed to approach God's presence. As Kirk worded it in the movie "Star Trek Beyond," and translating it into religious terminology, Jesus in his dying was saving lives. He was giving up his life so that humankind could live with the presence of God. Spoken from a secular point of view, as Kirk said, it is always better to die while saving lives than to live and neglect to help others.

The application is easy, of course, but the carry through is difficult. You and I are called to be good people who will work for the betterment of human beings, even if it means that we must sacrifice in the process. Carrying it out sometimes requires that we be willing to give up our lives. From a religious point of view, Jesus gives us the example of his human death in order help all of us. You and I are called in a similar way, even though it may be difficult for us as it was for Jesus.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, in Your Son's dying, we see the beginning of our new life in God. May we always learn His lesson to give of ourselves to others even if it means a sacrifice. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: It is "better to die saving lives than to live with taking them" (Captain James T. Kirk).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. What is most striking about the death of Jesus? Why?
3. If Jesus were to come today, how do you think he would make himself known to us?
4. How would you define the presence of God? [See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 203-213.]
5. How would you define a martyr for God?
6. The alien invasion is thwarted by Jaylah's music, adding discord to the unity of the invaders. Their unity is destroyed, and they flounder. Again, we see exemplified what a lack of unity will do. In our world today, what could be better worked out if there were unity?
7. Krall drains the life force from others to stay alive, the ultimate selfishness. In our world today, where do we sense the most selfishness?
8. What does the movie "Star Trek Beyond" teach young people?