TGIMMiron2 3

Movie: "Iron Man 2" -- final session

PERSONAL PEACE

The Gospel

JOHN 14:26-28

Jesus said, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I."

Gospelthink: I promise you the Holy Spirit who will give peace to you. Do I try to live in peace with everyone?

In the movie "Iron Man 2," evil is symbolized by two people, Justin Hammer and Vanko. They represent two of the basic problems of human nature that become the source of the evil in our world. Hammer shows the greed of human beings, jealous of the power that others have, and taking steps to gain it; Vanko is consumed with uncontrolled revenge. The desire for power and revenge are formidable forces in our world. They are nearly impossible to control on a global level. But they should be studied on the personal level as well. With incredible effort, Tony Stark and his friends are finally able to conquer evil on the global scale.

As Jesus closed out his life here on our earth, perhaps more than anything, he wanted to call our attention to the most important guidelines that we should have. One of them was the idea of peace. "Peace I give to you," he said, but he added that it is "not as the world gives" peace. The world gives peace selfishly, that is, for personal gain. If we are guided by that type of peace, it will only lead to further evil, whether we are speaking on a global scale or a personal one.

In the movie "Iron Man 2," evil is presented as seeking power and revenge, two common evils that intertwine themselves with the life of those who work on a national level. They cause incredible havoc, and the heroes who seek the good--here, Tony Stark and his companions--must constantly deal with the consequences.

But for the person who is interested in pursuing the spiritual life, selfish power and revenge must be considered not only globally, but especially on the personal level. Usually, the common person can do little about what happens among nations, but the common person can attack the personal evils that come with the seeking of power and the pursuit of revenge.

If we want to be people who receive Jesus Christ's peace, we must become people who live such a peace. It will especially involve controlling the way we interact with people in our own little worlds. It involves the way we treat others, and our attitudes toward them. It involves using the power that we may have in a just and loving way. It will also involve controlling thoughts of revenge, managing our desires to get back at people who may have hurt us or our families.

The desire for power and seeking revenge cannot be present among the followers of Jesus. Peace in the world comes only when those elements of evil are controlled. The same can be said for our own personal peace.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we want your peace with all our hearts. But we are aware of your Son's words concerning such a peace. It can only come when we have controlled the personal evil present in our lives. Give us the grace to overcome that evil. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: The evils of being power-hungry and revenge can be defeated, but it takes immense effort on our parts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 39 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Project: The Gospel passage lends itself to a formal presentation on God the Holy Spirit. See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition,, numbers 683-741.
3. Define “peace” as you understand it.
4. In Jesus’ thought, the “ruler of the world” is some evil in the world. What is the greatest evil in the world, and what can you do about it in your own personal way?
5. Jesus speaks of giving peace “not as the world gives.” The meditation says that the world gives peace by being selfish. In your opinion, in what other ways does the “world give peace”?
6. In what areas of our world right now do you see “someone who is power-hungry”?
7. As you look at the world globally, where do you see “revenge” enacted?
8. The meditation gives some examples of seeking peace on a personal level. What are some other examples of the way to seek personal peace?
9. What grade would you give to “Christians” in the area of “seeking peace” (A, B, C, D, or F)? Why?
10. Scene analysis: Hammer thinks he is controlling Ivan, whereas it is actually the other way around. What is the meaning of the phrase “no honor among thieves”?
11. Scene analysis: Iron Man and Lt. Colonel Rhodes fight the enemy machines. This type of violence is copied in many video games. Do you believe that exposure to this violence has any effect on our young people? Yes or no and why?
12. Scene analysis: Nick Fury only chose Iron Man/Stark to be a consultant. In your opinion, why did he not choose him as part of the “Initiative”?
13. What does the movie “Iron Man 2” teach young people?

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