TGIMM421

	THE GUTS NOT TO FIGHT

The Gospel

LUKE 6:27-29

[Jesus said,] "But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic."

The Media -- "42" (beginning session)

The movie "42" is the true story of Baseball Hall of Fame's Branch Rickey's Christian determination to integrate major league baseball and how Hall of Fame's Jackie Robinson did it. At the beginning of the movie, Rickey stated directly: "I'm going to bring a Negro ball player to the Brooklyn Dodgers. I don't know who he is, but I know he's coming." When Jackie Robinson became that man, Rickey told him that he had to do two things, play baseball well, and secondly, to be a fine gentleman. He had to be a gentleman because he had to expect the worst possible abuse from people. As the movie points out, there were about 400 major league baseball players in 1946 and 1947, and they were all white. To make the number 399 would involve the violation of a code, as Rickey's assistants called it, and make Rickey an outcast. What it meant for Robinson was only one thing. He was already a very good baseball player; all he had to do was control his temper and learn to turn the other cheek. As Rickey told him, "I want a player who has the guts NOT to fight back. Like our Savior, you have to have the guts to turn the other cheek."

Popular movies do not often quote Jesus Christ. They may use his name in cursing or the like, but they do not often quote him with the intent of a Christian conclusion. The movie "42" does, however, because both Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson were Christians through and through. Their intent to integrate the venerable institution of major league baseball led them to accomplish it by following the Christian way. If they were to do it, Rickey points out to Robinson that it would require enormous self-control.

Control of personal anger is one of the most difficult directives that Jesus gave. In fact, there are not many Christians who truly "turn the other cheek." Granted, Jesus was talking in slight exaggeration, but his mind was that we must control our desire to strike back either physically or verbally. Scene after scene of the movie "42" presents what Robinson had to suffer at the hands of prejudiced people. He could easily have given in, struck back at his detractors, and left the game he loved, especially when the verbal abuse by others began attacking his family.

We will probably never face the abuse and insults that Jackie Robinson had to face during his battle to be a good baseball player and a "fine gentleman" at the same time. But we will face the opportunity to control our anger. We do not appreciate someone insulting us, we do not like it when another person "makes fun" of us, and certainly we resent it when someone else "attacks" our family connection--our parents, our spouse or our children. We all have opportunities to follow what Jesus taught.

Jesus' directive is very clear. Christians must control their anger, and in Rickey's words, have the guts NOT to fight back. If we want to bring about needed change in our world, if we want to grow into mature human beings, we must control personal anger.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, anger is always a problem with us because we have deep feelings about who we are. Help us truly understand your Son's direction concerning our anger. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: If we want to bring about needed change in our world, we must control personal anger.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 60 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In your opinion, what would happen in our world if every Christian followed Jesus' directive to "love our enemies"?
3. Some Christian commentators maintain that this is the least followed Christian moral law. Do you agree and why?
4. Project: the presenter may want to give a practical way of "praying for enemies."
5. Jesus closes with slight exaggeration--generally speaking Christians are not required to "turn the other cheek" or "give your tunic." Why do you think Jesus often uses exaggeration when he talks?
6. What does Jesus mean in this passage?
7. In your opinion, do movies use "curse words" too often? Yes or no and why?
8. In general, do the people around you show "self-control" in what they do? Yes or no and why?
9. What are the most difficult moral directives that Jesus gave?
10. Give your own definition of "prejudice."
11. In your opinion, does "prejudice" against African Americans still exist in our society today? Yes or no and why?
12. In general, do the people around you control their anger? Yes or no and why?
13. Is there any time in which we should not control our anger? Yes or no and why?
14. Besides "control of anger," what other qualities should be learned as a young person grows?
15. In general, in the United States, why was there prejudice against African Americans?
16. Scene analysis: Branch Rickey was a very good man. In general, in your opinion, are there good moral men among the executives of major league baseball at the present time? Yes or no and why?
17. Analysis: Robinson's wife Rachel was just as courageous as Jackie was. What is the meaning of "courage" in today's world?
18. Dialogue analysis: Rickey advises Robinson not only to be a good baseball player, but a "fine gentleman." How would you describe a "fine gentleman" in today's world?
19. Scene analysis: Some people are set to attack Robinson. In America today, where do we see the most violence? Why?

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike