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	TO DESTROY OR REDEEM

The Gospel

JOHN 18:10-11

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”

The Media

"Batman Begins"

final session

In the final session of “Batman Begins,” the corruption of Gotham City is at its worse. A powerful man like Bruce Wayne, can either take advantage of the corruption to become more powerful or he can fight the corruption and possibly die in the process. Batman’s original teacher Henri Ducard wants Bruce Wayne/Batman to choose to destroy in order to rebuild again, allowing their power to govern. Bruce Wayne/Batman chooses to work within the system, and to fight the corruption. He calls on the help of the “good cop” Jim Gordon, setting out to take down the corruption that eventually leads to a showdown between him and his original teacher.

It is an interesting thought to consider that Jesus could have chosen to destroy everything and everyone and begin the universe all over again. Our faith tells us that he could have done that. And indeed, there may have been good cause. He was the Son of God; the Gospels, especially the Gospel of John attest to that fact over and over. The secular world was beset with corruption and people who only wanted more power. His own life as man was in jeopardy because of the jealousy of religious leaders who had completely lost their direction.

Perhaps Jesus could have thought that God should just start over, ending the possibility that he would die an ignominious death that seemed to help no one. Instead, he allowed the world to run its course, redeeming it, and followed the will of his Father. Thus he gave even the rotten and corrupt the chance to change their lives if they wanted: "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?" he asks.

We do not have the power to destroy and create again. Unfortunately, some evil people think they can, and they cause more wickedness than there was before. But we do have the power to do something about our own little worlds.

One of the most important parts of maturity is the ability to work within our own environment to make it better than it is. We can condemn and blame and criticize or we can choose to work within the system, whatever system we are involved in, and make it as good as possible. We can make our schools, our workplace, our families better because of us. Jesus gave us the example to do it; great leaders in our world have done the same. All we have to do is adopt the attitude that our God wants us to make things better, and then live accordingly.

THOUGHT

What could you do right now to make your own situation any better?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, it is always a temptation of people who want too much power to destroy and begin again, thus creating more evil. Help us recognize that we can make our situations better wherever we are, and give us the grace to accomplish it. Be with us, we pray.

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