TGIMMet

	LED INTO THE LIGHT

The Gospel

JOHN 12:35-36

Jesus said to them, "The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light."

The Media -- "E.T." (Katy Perry)

"You're so hypnotizing, could you be the devil? Could you be an angel? Your touch magnetizing, feels like I am floating, leaves my body glowing. They say, be afraid, you're not like the others, futuristic lover, different DNA. They don't understand you. You're from a whole other world, a different dimension; you open my eyes and I'm ready to go: lead me into the light. Kiss me, infect me with your love and fill me with your poison. Take me, wanna be a victim, ready for abduction. Boy, you're an alien, your touch so foreign. It's supernatural, extraterrestrial."

One of the images that Jesus used in his teaching was the symbol of light. He called himself the light, and he counseled his disciples to walk in his light while he was there among them. Jesus has since left our earth, of course, but he continues to be the light for any follower of his, now that we know he is always among us as our God. In truth, as he expressed it, we have become children of his light.

"Leading into the light" is the expression of the woman in the song "E.T." Hers is a romantic context in which she implores the other in the relationship to lead her into the light, the light of love. It gives rise to a whole discussion about allowing oneself to be led by another. In romantic love, we want the other person in the relationship to help us grow in the relationship.

The idea is a very good one to dwell on in a philosophical sense as well. In our lives, who are the people and what are the things that we allow to lead us into light? Who or what do we say should lead us, and then how do we let it happen? People choose a number of lights to lead them. Many of us want more and more material things in some form to be such a light, for example, and we spend an enormous amount of time desiring those things, and then enjoying them once we have them. Interestingly enough, they soon wear out and we move on to some other material thing that has gained our interest.

Christians must invite Jesus to be the one who leads them into the light. It is not the light of romantic love as in Katy Perry's song, but it is the light of the love that Jesus preached. Such light is the guide that Christians pray for because they know that if they have it, their lives and the lives of the world will be a lot better than they are right now.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son called himself the light, and you wanted him to be that light for us. May we have the courage to ask him to lead us into his light, enabling us to be people who truly understand your love. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We all desire love in some way, asking the person who can give the love to lead us into the light of personal happiness.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How is Jesus a light for others? What is the meaning of the phrase?
2. If Jesus is the light as he professes in the Gospel passage, what is the meaning of the phrase "so that darkness may not overcome you"? What makes up the darkness that is in contrast to Jesus as light?
3. List the virtues of a person who is a "child of the light" as described by Jesus.
4. The song begins with the wonderful feeling of someone in love, and desiring the person she loves to be more and more a part of her life. When should men and women become serious in their approach to marriage?
5. In many ways the song seems to be "begging another" to be part of the relationship because we don't know how the other responds. Why is it wrong to "beg another" in a romantic relationship?
6. Text analysis: the song asks the other to "infect" her and "fill her with poison." What is the meaning of such strong imagery?
7. Love such as described in the song is the result of strong feelings for another. In the song, however, one does not know the feelings of the man in the relationship. What are the results of a relationship which is "one-sided"?
8. What are the best ways to help a romantic relationship grow?
9. The meditation uses the example of material things that many allow to lead them in life. Describe a person who has allowed material things to guide his/her life.
10. The meditation says that we soon grow tired of the material things that we have and move on to others. Is the statement true or false? Why?
11. In your opinion, have most Christians really invited Jesus to lead them in life? Yes or no and why?
12. If everyone really wanted the love that Jesus preached, what would be the first thing that would happen in the world?
13. What does the song "E.T." teach young people?

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