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	THE UNEXPECTED

The Gospel

MATTHEW 28:11-15

[After they saw the Resurrection of Jesus,] some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.

The Media "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

beginning session

The movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” begins with the announcement of the Triwizard Tournament which Hogwarts will host during the year. Two other magic academies are involved, one from France and the other from Central Europe. One student from each is chosen by the Goblet of Fire after the hopefuls from the different academies have placed their names in its cup. The Goblet chooses three, but suddenly the Goblet announces an unprecedented fourth name: Harry Potter’s. The announcement is against the rules because Harry is only 14, and one has to be 17 to compete in the Tournament. But headmaster Dumbledore’s hands are tied--the rules are absolute: the Goblet is in control, and he has no choice but to allow Harry to participate. Harry does not know why his name was chosen—he did not place his name in the Goblet—all he knows is that he has to adjust to this unexpected happening.

Jesus had risen from the dead. The soldiers did not understand it. It was something that they had not even imagined, and when they told the religious leaders, the leaders did not understand it either. The leaders' reaction was to cover it up, and do what was necessary to spread a lie. Viewed without religious overtones, they were reacting to the unexpected in a very poor manner. They did not like what happened, and so they lied about it.

How do we react to the unexpected? The answer to the question defines the measure of our maturity. If we react poorly, allowing whatever happened to dominate our lives, continually dwelling on it, letting it affect us so much that it causes us to shut down emotionally and physically, then we are acting immaturely. But if we accept what happened, as Harry Potter does in the movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” objectively look at it, work with it in our lives, adjust to it, and adapt accordingly, then we are reacting to the unexpected in a mature manner.

The incidents surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus are much more than a lesson in psychology, however. It was totally unexpected by everyone, even those who should have known that it would happen because Jesus had told them that it would. The reaction of the Christian should be profoundly mature—this God-man had said that he would rise from the dead. He did, and now there is reason to believe in him. From the moment we understand his Resurrection, we become mature Christians, and the way we live should change for the better.

THOUGHT

What is the most important element of reaching maturity?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you raised your Son from the dead as he said you would. From then on, literally, the world would never be the same. Give us the grace now to follow what he said to do and help us make the world better. Be with us, we pray.

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