TGIMMrhythm

	SWAY TO THE RHYTHM OF LOVE

The Gospel

MATTHEW 10:5-12

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace."

The Media -- "Rhythm of Love" (Plain White T's)

"My head is stuck in the clouds; she begs me to come down, says 'Boy, quit foolin' around'. I told her, 'I love the view from up here, warm sun and wind in my ear. We’ll watch the world from above as it turns to the rhythm of love.' We may only have tonight, but till the morning sun, you’re mine. Play the music low, and sway to the rhythm of love. My heart beats like a drum, a guitar string to the strum, a beautiful song to be sung. We can dance in slow motion, and all your tears will dry. And long after I've gone, you'll still be humming along, and I will keep you in my mind."

Chapter 10 of Matthew's Gospel is called "The missionary discourse of Jesus." Sending his Apostles into the villages telling them to prepare for his own visit to them, Jesus' directions on what to do were not complicated at all. It can be summarized in one word: love. They were to cure, to heal, to give, to show good example, that is, they were to love. In terms of Plain White T's love song, the Apostles were to make their lives "sway to the rhythm of love" as they dealt with others. If they managed to influence the people of the villages in that way, they would achieve what Jesus wanted them to achieve.

The Apostles were not involved in promoting romantic love, of course, although what they did might be good directives for romantic love today. They were involved in love and concern for others on a spiritual level. Relationships come and go in life, romantic and otherwise. What Jesus says to his Apostles should be a guide for every Christian that claims to follow him: love must be a force in our lives. In fact, everything the Christian does must "sway with the rhythm of love." If the Christian manages to accomplish it, he will definitely have a positive effect on the world.

Perhaps no better statement of the rhythm of love can be found than in the Letter to the Colossians in the Christian Scriptures. The author was telling the people of the town of Colossae exactly how they were to "sway to the rhythm of love":

"You must put
anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language
out of your mouths.
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed in the image of its creator.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion,
kindness,
humility,
gentleness,
and patience,
bearing with one another
and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him"
(Colossians 3:8-17).

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son often told us to love. He told us in many different ways, but always he wanted to accomplish the same end--learn to love everyone, and the world will be better. Give us the grace and courage to follow his call. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Every relationship should "sway" to the rhythm of love.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1.In the Gospel discourse, Jesus says in effect that if you are to be a disciple of his, you must show it in doing something good for humankind. In your opinion, do most Christians involve themselves in specific acts of charity for others? Yes or no and why?
2. The disciples' mission is limited to the people of Israel and only later was it to extend to the whole world. Do you believe that Christians are too exclusive in the way they deal with other religions? Yes or no and why?
3. The lack of concern for money, clothing, and lodging allows the Apostles to carry out the mission in a more single-minded way. In your opinion, are most preachers and ministers of the Gospel interested only in the spreading of the Gospel, or do other interests interfere in their lives? Why do they think that way?
4. The lack of concern for the external things also shows that they were to trust completely in God. What does trust in God consist of in today's world?
5. The Apostles were to react to rejection without violence and only symbolically. In your opinion, do most Christians have a "Christian" attitude toward violence? Yes or no and why?
6. When people close off one romantic relationship and begin another, in general, what is their attitude toward the relationship they are leaving? What should it be?
7. Define your understanding of "the rhythm of love."
8. Some of the rhythm of love among lovers is involvement in extra-marital sex. What should be the Christian's attitude toward extra-marital physical activity? (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 2353, 2380, 2381.)
9. If a relationship is to "sway to the rhythm of love," what will be the principal characteristics of that relationship?
10. Describe how you think the Apostles felt when they saw that they could "cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons."
11. If the Christian's attitude would be to "sway to the rhythm of love," what would be the principal characteristics of such an attitude?
12. Project: tell your listeners to put themselves in a situation in which they will think of their own actions, and then read the excerpt from the Letter to the Colossians slowly and with meaning.
13. What is most striking about the excerpt from the Letter to the Colossians?
14. What does the song "Rhythm of Love" teach young people?

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