TGIMMharry3

	HOPE EVEN WITH THE EVIL

The Gospel

LUKE 4:9-14

Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

The Media -- "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (final session)

Teenagers Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are very much involved in the adolescent feelings of love throughout the movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." They are feelings that most every teenager in the world will experience in some way. But the three have much more significant matters to deal with in their young lives, matters that make their love feelings pale in comparison. Harry and his friends must deal with the secret that Harry has discovered from Professor Slughorn, namely, how Tom Riddle/Voldemort has prolonged his evil life. Voldemort has split his soul into several pieces, placing them in Horcruxes which are further protected by evil means. As this session closes, two of them have been identified, and it becomes evident that the rest of the Horcruxes must be found and destroyed. As difficult as it may seem, Harry knows that he must be the one who does it, and that he must do it without the help of his longtime friend and confidant, Professor Dumbledore, but luckily for Harry, he has the help of his friends Hermione and Ron.

Evil often seems to have its day. Witness the Dark Lord or Voldemort who began his life as Tom Riddle in the movie series that tells of Harry Potter's early life. In particular, in the movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," Voldemort has put his evil life into Horcruxes that seem impossible to find. And when one does find them, they are protected by further evil. The movie closes with the feeling that evil finally has won. Will the fantasy world of Harry Potter now disintegrate? Will it spread to the real world and take over all humanity? Teenagers Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley seem easy obstacles that Voldemort can conquer.

"Your opponent, the devil," the author of 1 Peter writes, "is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The English translation for the Greek word for "devour" is "eat up greedily." It fittingly describes the exact attitude of evil in our world. Evil will not rest; it is present in many forms. Every situation is open to it in one way or another, and the task of evil, if it can be addressed as such, is to never relax in its pursuit of something to harm. Jesus felt it in his lifetime. As Luke comments, at the end of his time of temptation as he began his public ministry, "The devil departed from him for a time." He would come back again and again. Evil will not rest.

But there is hope. The first letter of Peter assures the Christian that even though it looks as though evil will devour everything, such is not the case. The Christian has reason to resist, and can constantly be assured of the presence of Jesus who showed in his lifetime that he would “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” once again (1 Peter 5:10). Likewise, there is hope for Harry and his friends. There was a reason why Professor Dumbledore had to die. There still were people who would help them. Even though it looked as though their beloved school would be destroyed, they would find another way to challenge the evil.

The lesson for the person who believes in God is really very simple: evil will not win. Even if it looks as though it will win, it will not. Just as evil seems present in many forms, God is likewise present--in every situation. There is hope, but we will have to use the good that God will send.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, evil is always part of our world because of our human natures that crave to be satisfied. Give us the grace to recognize the evil that is part of our lives, and then help us do something about it. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We have reason to hope even though there is evil in our world.

THE GOSPEL
1. This is the third temptation as described by Luke the evangelist. The devil tempts Jesus to test God the Father’s word rather than go forth on his mission. In your mind, what was Jesus’ principal mission on earth?
2. The devil quotes Scripture to his own advantage, and Jesus uses Scripture to counteract his statement. When is it obvious that people are quoting Scripture in a wrong way?
3. What are the greatest temptations that human beings have?

THE MEDITATION
1. The meditation makes it clear that “evil will not rest.” Voldemort seems to have perpetuated his evil by splitting his soul. In what ways in our world do you see evil always present.
2. The Scripture mentions that the devil departed from Jesus only for a time. From your own understanding of Jesus’ life, when was he further tempted?
3. What is most evil in our world today, and practically what can be done about it?
4. The theme of this session of the movie is that in spite of the evil, there is hope. What gives you the most hope as you look at what is happening in the world?

THE MOVIE, PART 3 (approximately 47 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Scene analysis: Harry wants to kill Draco, and almost does. Was it wrong for Harry? Yes or no and why?
3. Analysis: the Horcrux. Human beings are always looking for ways to extend their lives. Is it wrong to want to live as a human being forever? Yes or no and why?
4. Scene analysis: Draco cannot kill Professor Dumbledore? Why do you think he could not do it?
5. Scene analysis: Snape kills Professor Dumbledore. How can the death of a good person be considered a sign of hope for the future?
6. What does the movie “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” teach young people?

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