TGIMMthehobbitan2

	KEEPING EVIL AT BAY

The Gospel

MATTHEW 27:55-56

There were many women there [at the cross of Jesus], looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Media -- "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (final session)

Having been recruited by Gandalf the Grey to be a "burglar" to help the company of Dwarves to win their home back in the Lonely Mountain (Erebor), Bilbo Baggins in his own simple way became more of a help than anyone thought. He became an inspiration. In fact, Gandalf acknowledged that Bilbo's small way may indeed be the only thing that kept the darkness of evil at bay. Led by Bilbo's conviction and his desire to give the Dwarves a real home, the company resisted the different evils of Middle Earth. Aided by the Elves who at first were hated by the Dwarves and the discovery of a strange ring, Gandalf, Bilbo and the Dwarves arrived at a place where the company could begin their journey in earnest.

What can keep evil at bay? What is the means that we have to hold off the forces that continue to plague humankind with their overpowering movements that destroy and harm others? In particular, as we study our history, what brought down the Nero's, the Stalin's, the Hitler's and the regimes of hatred that they spawned? One of the facts of our human development is that God will overcome all evil and actually bring good out of it.

And the means that God uses? Is it the supernatural force of God's own punishment or even the destructive forces of the good? Usually not. The means that God uses to eradicate the evil is often none other than very simple, inconsequential human beings who really are doing nothing more than trying to help people who need it. The women at the foot of Jesus' cross who gave the example of courage that helped begin the spread of Christianity. The simple act of presence that Bilbo Baggins gave to the good people of power in the land of Middle Earth.

It is a fact that very few of us will be people of importance in our world. And even if we are, we cannot bring about any good unless we have the help of simple people dedicated to an ideal. An ideal like Jesus of Nazareth gave. We are the ordinary folk of our twenty-first century. It is our conviction to the ideals of Jesus that gives us courage and leads to real happiness.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you have always used the ordinary to overcome extraordinary evil. Give us the grace to understand our abilities to bring about the downfall of evil in our own ordinary lives. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: It is not any great power that holds evil in check. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay--small acts of kindness and love. It gives one courage. It gives one the hope of a return to happiness. (Gandalf the Grey)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 80 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In your opinion, why were the women at the cross of Jesus and not the men?
3. In what ways can we show the same courage toward the Christian way of life that the women showed Jesus?
4. Project: The presenter may want to spend some time with how God always brings good out of evil. See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 309-314.
5. Give an example from history of how God brings good out of evil.
6. Give an example from your own knowledge of how God brings good out of evil.
7. In what way is it true that simple people bring about the destruction of evil?
8. Study the quote from Gandalf which is the theme of this session. What is most striking about the quote? Why?
9. Scene analysis: Saruman discourages Gandalf from following his quest to help the Dwarves. What drives Gandalf to help the Dwarves?
10. What is the best way to persuade someone when we are convinced that something is true?
11. Scene analysis: The encounter between Bilbo and Gollum. What is most striking about the encounter?
12. Scene analysis: Bilbo does not kill Gollum. Why do you think Bilbo spared Gollum's life?
13. Scene analysis: Bilbo rejoins the company when he could have left. Why did Bilbo come back to them?
14. Scene analysis: King Thorin shows his trust of Bilbo. What are the characteristics of "trust" ?
15. What does the movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" teach young people?

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