TGIMMperfect

	YOU'LL MAKE IT

The Gospel

MARK 16:9-11

When Jesus had risen from the dead, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

The Media -- "Perfect" (Pink)

"Made a wrong turn once or twice, dug my way out, blood and fire, bad decisions, that’s alright—welcome to my silly life. Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood—it didn’t slow me down. Mistaken, always second guessing, underestimated, look I’m still around. Pretty please, don’t you ever feel like you’re less than perfect. If you ever feel like you’re nothing, you are perfect to me. You’re so mean when you talk about yourself. You were wrong. Change the voices in your head, make them like you instead. Look happy, you’ll make it!"

According to the Gospels of Mark and John, the first person that Jesus appeared to after his Resurrection was Mary Magdalene. She is an interesting character in the Gospels, and there are many opinions about what kind of a person she was. What we know is that Jesus had cleansed her of seven demons, which usually meant that she had lived a life of sin and at some point, turned her life around. She became a devoted follower of Jesus, entering his inner circle. She was the leader of a group of women disciples who were present at the cross and at his burial.

Without too much imagination, Pink's song "Perfect" could be Mary Magdalene speaking to someone who is experiencing a rough time in life. In the song, Pink stresses the importance of every individual. It is a song of someone who has been through some very tough times, but she made it. And now, she is telling someone else to learn from her experiences. Her message is simple but difficult to hear for someone in the throes of depression: "you'll make it."

It is a message difficult to hear because the mental pain of depression has a tendency to dominate our thinking, making it near impossible to listen to someone tell us that we should not be depressed. In the excellent video to the song, the person is on the verge of suicide, the easy way out of the pain.

Such a person must find something. Mary Magdalene found Jesus and his teaching. In the video to the song, the person has a teddy bear that keeps reminding her to stay focused. In the song itself, the person makes the plea to change the voices inside of one's head--make them like you. Maybe it is as fundamental as that--we must learn to like ourselves.

Christians will be able to like themselves because they will have the incentive to do it. Like Mary Magdalene, Christians have the words of Jesus to guide them toward an understanding that all people are immersed in love. Even if human beings fail in that capacity, God will never fail. God created us in the first place; God loves us in every circumstance. In fact, God considers us "perfect." And if God considers us "perfect," maybe that is enough to make us appreciate our lives a little more.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you consider us to be "perfect" because you created us. Your Son Jesus assured us of your love. It is true that we can improve ourselves, but the fact that you love us must be enough to make us see how special we are. Continue to be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: There are many people who have experienced difficult circumstances in their lives, and have gone on to enjoy happiness.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. This "extra ending" of Mark's Gospel was written later in the Christian era to inspire early missionaries to go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel. What is the principal task of a missionary in a foreign country? In our own country?
2. It is significant that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first after his Resurrection. In your opinion, why did he choose to appear to Mary Magdalene first?
3. Even though Jesus had said many times in his life that he would rise from the dead after he suffered death, his companions, those close to him, still did not believe Mary. Why was their faith so weak?
4. Pink's original title of the song has the title of "Perfect," but with an adjective that has been recognized to be a shocking slang word in the English language. Why do many talented artists use that word in their songs?
5. Text analysis: "bad decisions." What are the "bad decisions" that people often make in life? Why do people choose such bad decisions? What are the best decisions that people make?
6. Text analysis "mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood": obviously, the person in the song had a difficult upbringing. What is the principal outcome of a person when he/she has had such a difficult early life? What is the way to overcome it in later life?
7. Text analysis: "You are so mean when you talk about yourself." Why do people often have such a low opinion of themselves? What can be done about it?
8. Text analysis: "Change the voices inside your head: make them like you instead." How does a person accomplish that suggestion?
9. Text analysis: "Look happy! You'll make it." What is the principal reason why people should be happy in the world?
10. The person in the song is obviously depressed. In your opinion, what is the best way to overcome depression?
11. In your opinion, given the fact that Mary Magdalene had "seven demons," what kind of a life was Mary leading before she met Jesus?
12. Why does the Christian believe that every individual is important?
13. The meditation says that it is difficult for people who are depressed to hear from others that they will make it through the depression because the depression "dominates" their lives. How is depression expressed in people's lives?
14. Project: analyze the official video to the song. (Because of the language, the video would be rated "R", and therefore should be used only in classes for older young people.)
15. What is the fundamental reason why we should "like" ourselves?
16. The meditation is written with a Christian in mind, and the teachings that Jesus has given us. If a person does not believe in Christianity, how could such a person be convinced that he/she is an important individual?
17. Do you agree with the meditation that God considers us "perfect"? Yes or no and why?
18. How does a person show that he/she appreciates his/her life?
19. Give some examples of famous people who have experienced difficult circumstances in their lives, but have gone on to achieve real happiness.
20. What does the song "Perfect" teach young people?

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