TGIMMhereafter1

September 20

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Friday, September 20

LUKE 8:1-3
I chose both men and women to follow me.

Prayerthoughts

a. What is the “good news” that I “preach” by my attitude?

b. There were a number of so-called “sinners” among those who followed Jesus. It is a lesson to us that everyone, no matter what they have done or are doing is important. Is there someone in my acquaintance that I do not treat the way I should? If yes, what can I do about it?

c. How do I understand the “kingdom of God”?

d. Luke mentions Mary Magdalene in particular whose life was not what it should have been before she met Jesus. Do I judge others with the thought of their wickedness?

e. It is important to see that among Jesus’ early followers, there were some women. In the way I live and act, do I show respect to all people, whether male or female? If no, what should I do about it?

f. The women provided for them out of their resources. Do I give to others out of the resources that I have?

g. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, and write an
important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

A KINGDOM THAT IS OPEN TO ALL

+ The Gospel gives us a glimpse of the way Jesus went about his ministry of getting the message of the Kingdom across

- he went from place to place with a band of helpers which included women

- the “women” part was something that was scandalous to the Jewish mind

- women in those days often helped with situations, but never traveled with the men

- Scriptural theologians point out that the band of people who accompanied Jesus is a symbol of the make-up of God’s Kingdom

- men and women, married and single, healthy and ailing, rich and poor

- it also is a make-up of the Church as we know it

+ As we look at our own understanding of the Kingdom

- it is an understanding based on the Resurrection of Jesus

- in the sense that everything Jesus said is true now because of his Resurrection

- Paul is pointing out something that some of the Corinthians believed—no resurrection from the dead—is not a Christian position

+ An application of the readings for our life should include:

1 – the centrality of Jesus in our spiritual lives

- a conclusion that comes up quite often in our spiritual thought

- the importance of the study of Jesus and a better and more complete knowledge of him

- through individual meditation on the Scriptures and deeper spiritual reading, Jesus must be the guide who directs us with his thoughts, words and actions

2 – the fact that we like to exclude certain people from our own circle

- many spiritual writers say that this is the basic sin of our day

- namely, wanting to make Christianity an exclusive club

- it can be seen in the people who think that heaven is only open to a certain few

- namely the certain few who agree with us

- we have a tendency to make people less than we are

- which tendency spreads to even those who are inside the group, causing internal dissension as well

+ God’s Kingdom is one of the fundamental parts of Jesus’ teaching

- it is a teaching founded on Jesus’ Resurrection and is primarily a Kingdom of peace which includes all if they accept it.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "Hereafter" -- beginning session

KNOWING A PAINFUL PAST

The Gospel

LUKE 8:43-48

A woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years, who had spent her whole livelihood on doctors and was unable to be cured by anyone, came up behind [Jesus] and touched the tassel on his cloak. Immediately her bleeding stopped. Jesus then asked, “Who touched me?” While all were denying it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are pushing and pressing in upon you.” But Jesus said, “Someone has touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me.” When the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came forward trembling. Falling down before him, she explained in the presence of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been healed immediately. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Gospelthink: I heal anyone who really desires it. As I pray to the Lord, am I confident that the Lord hears me and will answer as he wills?

In the movie "Hereafter," George Lonegan was a genuine professional psychic who looked on his gift of being able to communicate with the dead as a "curse." It was a curse because it ruined the chance to have a normal life for him. During the practice of his art, he discovered many people who wanted to know about their past, but the knowledge often did nothing more than make them miserable. It had an impact on George's own life since he was unable to deal with the emotions of painful reunions with the dead and of knowing disturbing family secrets. Indeed, our past and bringing it up again can be painful. But for the Christian, God's grace is always present, constantly bringing about the possibility of dealing with a painful past.

In the Gospel story, the woman who touched Jesus' garment had a painful past. It was physically painful to be sure, but it was most probably mentally painful as well. She had consulted the doctors of her day, and they could do nothing for her. She had practically given up on her life, no doubt, probably close to despair, but she had heard about Jesus and his healing power. Meeting him one day, she touched him in the hope that he could help her. Jesus rewarded her faith in him.

In the movie "Hereafter," George Lonegan knew that there was an "afterlife" because his "gift" allowed him to be in contact with it. But he had given up his profession of going into the "afterlife" because of the pain that he saw in people's lives--both the pain of the people he was trying to help and his own personal pain. The fact was that he came to know too much about his clients and friends. Some things, George explained, were better left unknown. In the movie, Melanie, one of his romantic interests who pushed him to reveal her past, left their relationship, and would never be part of George's life again. She left because as George had warned her, "Any chance that we had something will just move on." Too often George's "gift" became a "curse" because it destroyed the possibility of his own happiness.

Pain in whatever form is something that we try to avoid. Perhaps even more than the physical pain, the mental pain of loss or loneliness or depression causes people to desperately search for some answer. Such an answer may come to a person who runs away from the problem, but most often not facing the problem only brings about different problems. We must learn to face the situation that is causing the pain, and address it directly.

George Lonegan did not have the advantage of faith, even though he knew that there was an "afterlife." Christians can find a solution to problems through their faith. As the woman in the Gospel chose to touch the Lord, Christians can reach out to him, listen to his words, follow his actions, and eventually find a solution. Facing their problems directly, believers will sincerely ask the Lord to help with the pain. Faith in Jesus will eventually bring the answer, finally giving personal peace.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, there is pain in our lives, and we often look for answers apart from you. Give us the grace to listen to your Son and choose to accept you totally into our lives, so that we will be able to find the peace we desire. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: What happened in our past is often disturbing, but with God's help we can overcome any pain and truly live well.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 60 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Project: outline and discuss a section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition on faith, numbers 142-175.
3. What can you do if you want to help someone who is depressed because of his/her incurable illness?
4. In your opinion, what is the most difficult mental pain in people's lives?
5. Do you believe that there is such a thing as a genuine "psychic," that is, a person who can contact people who have died? Yes or no and why?
6. If a person were to discover something very disturbing about their past, what should they do?
7. If George Lonegan was a believer in Jesus, how could he use his "gift"?
8. The meditation speaks of "personal peace." What is your definition of "personal peace."
9. Scene analysis: Marcus and Jason desperately try to help their mother who is addicted to drugs. What can young people do to help a parent who has a drug/alcohol problem?
10. Scene analysis: Marcus is sent to a foster home. What is your opinion about foster homes?
11. Dialogue analysis: George is able to determine some of the past with his gift, and says that "some things are better left unknown." Do you believe that this is true? Yes or no and why?
12. Dialogue analysis: Marie asks: "What happens when we die?" What is the answer most people would give?
13. Scene analysis: Dr. Meredith hopes that Marie will be able to persuade the scientific community about the reality of life after death. Do you think that most scientists believe in life after death? Yes or no and why?
14. Scene analysis: Marcus loses his (Jason's) cap temporarily and misses the train which explodes (2005 London bombing). Later on, Marcus discovers that Jason (from the afterlife) was responsible. Christian doctrine suggests that there is no such thing as luck. What is your feeling about luck?
15. Scene analysis: Melanie leaves the relationship with George presumably because George knows too much about her past. In romantic relationships, can people know too much about another? Yes or no and why?