TGIMMcall

	THE WORK OF INFATUATION

The Gospel

JOHN 20:1-3

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So, Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

The Media -- "Call Me Maybe" (Carly Rae Jepsen)

"I threw a wish in the well, I looked to you as it fell, and now you’re in my way. I'd trade my soul for a wish, pennies and dimes for a kiss. I wasn't looking for this, but now you're in my way. Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here’s my number, so call me, maybe? It’s hard to look right at you, but here’s my number, so call me, maybe?"

It is impossible to find a romantic involvement between Jesus and any woman in the Gospels because the way of arranging marriage was so different from what we know in today's world. The Gospel writers simply would not have talked about marriage and love the way we do. But there certainly is evidence of "love involvements" present in the Gospels. Mary of Magdala or Mary Magdalene was without doubt in love with Jesus, and whether it was with a romantic thought or not is purely speculation. But there was love present, and therefore, as with all love, romantic and otherwise, developing it was probably not without its difficulties, and working at it to make it better was a necessity.

In reality, the love involvements in the twenty-first century may not be as different as the love situations of the first century. Carly Rae Jepsen sings in her song "Call Me Maybe" that she wants to begin a love relationship--what we call "infatuation"--and she begins with caution and "not knowing" what will happen. The title of her song says it all. Maybe it will work, maybe it will not. But she knows that she wants some type of a relationship, and so she is willing to do what is necessary to begin it, as difficult and embarrassing as it may be.

Most of us will enter into some type of love relationship in our lives, and when we do, the relationship will have to begin in some way. A lesson to be learned from Mary Magdalene in the Gospels and similarly from Carly Rae Jepsen in her song "Call Me Maybe" can be phrased this way. When you begin any love relationship, romantic or otherwise, we will always enter it with a certain degree of "not knowing" what will happen and therefore it must be entered with caution. Secondly, there must be a certain willingness to work with it. If we do, then the relationship will be good, whether it is lasting or not.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, the call to love is universal as we try to follow you through Jesus your Son. Give us the grace to work carefully with the love relationships in our lives, especially those of a romantic nature. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Beginning a love relationship is always difficult, and we have to work at it if we want it to begin well.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. In your opinion, do you think that Mary Magdalene's love of Jesus was stronger than that of the Apostles? Yes or no and why?
2. The "empty tomb" is the foundation of the Christian belief in Jesus' Resurrection. In your opinion, why is the Resurrection so important for the Christian faith? See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 638-647.
3. What is your definition of "infatuation"?
4. What is principal difference between "infatuation" and "love"?
5. Text analysis: "Call me maybe." What are the feelings of a girl who would say this to a possible boyfriend?
6. Text analysis: "It's hard to look right at you." For those who are infatuated with another, why is this a true statement?
7. In general, do you think that it is a good comparison to make between love relationships contained in the Gospels and the love relationships of our day? Yes or no and why?
8. What is the most important rule in order to make any "love situation" better?
9. Why is it initially so difficult to begin a relationship?
10. The official video for the song "Call Me Maybe" portrays very well the feelings of a girl who is infatuated with a boy. Project: obtain a copy of the video and discuss it, especially its surprise ending. What does the video teach a young person?
11. What is the major "caution" about entering a love relationship?
12. How would you define "working with" a beginning love relationship?
13. What does the song "Call Me Maybe" teach young people?

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