TGIMMMarch28

	THE VALUE OF PEOPLE

The Gospel

LUKE 24:25-33a

Jesus said to the two disciples, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he reinterpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem.

The Media

"Jurassic Park"

final session

Even though their adventure was accomplished in an incredible way, the scientists of Jurassic Park finally discover that their fantasy could not be controlled. Eventually, they had to choose between people and their own creation. They choose people, but with a little reluctance, since they did not want all of their technology to be wasted. Their love of others may be a factor in their eventual departure from the island and what they had created, but one is led to believe that if there were a way, they might choose otherwise. Too often, we find ourselves flirting with evil rather than wanting to help others.

Jesus Christ was always interested in us. After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus realized completely what his role had been, as he explains to the disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” He tells the disciples that from the beginning of the Hebrew era, the Messiah was interested in people, in their salvation, and he came to earth with that thought in mind, and no other. People were of the highest importance for God, even to the point of giving God’s only Son.

The Christian must have the same love for others. Even with all of our technology and computer wizardry, we can never forget that this earth is the beginning of life for people. Robots, computer-generated magic, and incredible accomplishments of technology notwithstanding, people remain most important. Such is the doctrine of the follower of Jesus: people must receive more respect than created machinery.

THOUGHT
In what circumstances do you see “love of others” best portrayed in our world? In what circumstances do you see it least portrayed?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you have given us an intelligence that has accomplished incredible things. Help us always remember, however, that no matter what we accomplish, there will never be anything more important than the people who inhabit this earth. Be with us, we pray.

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