TGIMManimal

	MAKING LOVE PERMANENT

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.”

The Media -- "Animal" (Neon Trees)

"Here we go again, I kinda wanna be more than friends, so take it easy on me. We’re sick like animals. We play pretend. You’re just a cannibal and I’m afraid I won’t get out alive. I won’t sleep tonight. Oh, I want some more, what are you waiting for. Take a bite of my heart tonight."

The people who came into contact with Jesus during his lifetime realized that they could not just be around him and do nothing. They had to make a decision concerning what he said and did. Either they accepted him, and followed what he wanted; or they ignored him. Those who finally accepted him began their association with him with no idea of whether they would agree with him or not. They did not know what he was all about, and so they wanted to find out. The troubled woman who decided to touch his cloak when they were crowded together wondered whether he could help her. Her action was the beginning of a permanent commitment to him.

We cannot enter into a permanent commitment with no preparation. We must determine whether we are ready to make such a commitment or not. Determining when to make it is a common experience among all of us because by far the majority of human beings choose to marry, and those who do not marry usually find themselves in a situation that demands some type of permanent commitment.

People must know about infatuation or being "love-sick," a condition sung about in the song "Animal." Being infatuated with someone is not the same as love, although it can lead into love. The inherent problem with infatuation is that people will move too quickly from infatuation to permanent commitment, thinking that it is love—and it is not. It is only an "animal" desire for someone else, knowing that someone else is someone they think they would like to be with forever. The guiding thought must always be: don’t move too quickly into a permanent commitment.

When we speak of love, whether it be love in general or romantic love of another person, we must begin with caution. Human knowledge must begin with some type of preparation. The lady in the Gospel wanted to be cured, but she also had to know more about this Jesus. The person who is thinking of being a true follower of Jesus must know what it means. It calls for some preparation, some study of the situation. When we finally choose a permanent commitment in whatever situation, it must indeed be permanent, and therefore careful preparation must be involved.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, there are times in our lives when we must make a commitment that should be permanent. It is a difficult decision to make because we do not know our future. Give us the grace to prepare for the commitment, and then the help we need to choose well. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We must carefully prepare for any permanent commitment that we make.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. In the Gospel, because of the woman’s ailment, it was the practice to shun her socially. Therefore, she was in both physical and mental pain. When pain is this strong in our world today, what should a person do?
2. The point of the meditation is that the woman was about to make a commitment of faith in Jesus, but she did not know him yet, and so she only “touched his garment.” How do you think you would have reacted to Jesus if you would have been alive and around him in his time?
3. Presumably, the woman followed Jesus after her cure. What does a permanent commitment to Jesus mean?
4. Text analysis: “sick like animals.” In your opinion, what is the meaning of the phrase?
5. Text analysis: “we play pretend.” In your opinion, what is the meaning of the phrase?
6. What is your definition of “infatuation”?
7. The meditation makes the point that all of us make permanent commitments at one time. Besides the commitment to marriage, give some other examples of permanent commitments that people make.
8. If it is true that people move too quickly from infatuation to permanent commitment, what preparations should be made besides the obvious one of “taking more time.”
9. In your opinion, what is the best minimum age for marriage?
10. Project: make a presentation on the sacrament of marriage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 1601-1637,
11. Over 50% of people get divorced after they make the “permanent commitment” of marriage. What is the principal reason why people get divorced? Is it a “good” reason for divorce? Yes or no and why?
12. What does the song “Animal” teach young people?

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