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	WE WANT THE POWER

The Gospel

MATTHEW 2:1-3

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying "Where is the new-born king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

The Media -- "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" (final session)

Percy Jackson's supposed-friend Luke had stolen Zeus' lightning bolt in the movie "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief." When asked why, his response was that he wanted the power. He felt that if he could get the gods to fight one another, they would kill off each other, and he would be left with the power to rule the world. Power may be the strongest desire that the Greek gods possessed, and it always caused the most dissension.

Matthew's story of the magi is a story that can be viewed as centering around power. The magi seem to be powerful people who could read the stars; they acknowledged that Jesus had power by giving him homage; Herod was jealous and troubled because someone else may have the power; in fact, all of Jerusalem wondered about the possibility of another show of power somewhere. Power is one of the forces of human nature.

People want power. In general, our human natures will allow power to control the way we live and act. Luke in the movie "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" is quite direct in his desire for power. Herod in the magi story of St. Matthew's Gospel wanted to silence another person who might have more power than he had. If we are honest, we will find a desire for power to be part of our innermost thoughts in one way or another.

Studying those innermost thoughts, we see a primary desire to feel important. When someone else threatens the importance that we want, our defenses come into play. We "attack" them in some way. Whether we do it only in our thoughts or actually say it, we try to discredit them in some way. It is important for us to see what we are doing: we want power over others, and it expresses itself in many different ways.

The Christian understands that there is only one Person who deserves the power. Like the magi who somehow saw that Jesus had the power, we must acknowledge that there is indeed some Higher Power who deserves our homage. If we bring ourselves to understand the importance of God, we will understand the importance of others, and ultimately, our lives will be infinitely more happy.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you deserve our homage and praise. You have the power that leads us to life. We ask your guidance when our own desire for power becomes something that can lead us to sin. Lead us to see and understand how important you are and the importance of others. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We like playing god; we want the power.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 37 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Project: make a presentation on the “magi and the star,” that is, what the different Scriptural scholars have said about who they were. See Collegeville Bible Commentary, or The Jerome Biblical Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12.
3. The basic theme of the Scripture passage is the idea of paying the new-born king “homage.” What is the best way to show “homage” to our God?
4. Herod and all of Jerusalem were concerned about the revelation of the magi. The meditation comments that it concerns power. In what ways do you see people desiring power in our world today?
5. How do young people today show a “desire for power” in their living?
6. The meditation refers to our thinking process. What is the best way to bring our thinking into line with what is really important?
7. The meditation comments that once we understand the importance of God in our lives, then we will follow with an understanding of other people? Why is this so?
8. While in the trance of Las Vegas, Percy tells the others that they must “wake up.” In what areas of our lives do people have to “wake up” the most?
9. Scene analysis: Luke had lied in order to obtain the power. Can “lying” ever be a good thing? Yes or no and why?
10. Scene analysis: Zeus finally calls for peace. What are the principal elements that will bring about peace in our times?
11. Scene analysis: Poseidon explained what happened to Percy. We always must know what the truth is. Do most people act with the truth? Yes or no and why?
12. What does the movie “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” teach young people?

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