TGIMMhobbit2

Movie: "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies" -- final session

ACCOMPLISHING GOOD TAKES REAL DETERMINATION

The Gospel

JOHN 18:4-8, 10-13

Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?” So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Gospelthink: I reveal to you that I am God with the I AM statement, but as God, I allow for human sin. Am I sufficiently appreciative for what the Lord has done for me?

Finally Thorin, the leader of the Dwarves in the movie "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies" snaps out of his madness for money, and the battle for the mountain begins. Thorin decides to go right to the source of the Orc army and attacks Azog the leader. Mortally wounded, Thorin finally collapses after killing Azog as Bilbo his friend comes by his side. Thorin apologizes to Bilbo and acknowledges his friendship before he dies. There is peace, but one is led to believe that even though Bilbo has accomplished what he wanted, namely a place for the Dwarves of their own, the peace will not last long. Bilbo returns to the Shire, lying to Gandalf about the Ring which he did not lose, but has with him. He begins once again the care-free life of a hobbit, as the movie prepares for the second trilogy that we know as "The Lord of the Rings."

The Lord Jesus was determined to prove his love for humankind. Even though he was God, as evidenced by the control that Jesus had over those who would arrest him, he willingly gave himself to them. By his action, he told us that his accomplishment in life was to redeem us, no matter what it would take. Suffering the humility and pain connected with his arrest and subsequent torture, he resolutely gave himself to his captors in order to begin his task.

There is no telling the good that could be accomplished if just a few more of us would set upon the goal of doing good for humankind. Jesus is our primary example, but there are many people throughout the ages that have tried to do the same. Case in point is the close of the trilogy of "The Hobbit," namely "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies." We see the courage and determination of people like Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the wizard, a converted Thorin the king, and the many who died trying to bring about good for Middle Earth.

We are not members of a fantasy world, nor are we called upon to save the world as Jesus was, but we are people who can do good. We can do good even in the face of the evil that has crept into our world. Most of the time, it is not serious evil that we must face, but it is evil that can hurt us and our fellow women and men. Trying to do what is good in a small way may involve trying to make our workplace a little better or our families a little bit happier or even our relaxation with friends a little more open to include everyone.

This is not Middle Earth, but it is Earth, and we are called to make it better than it is.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son gave his life in order to redeem us, even knowing that his divinity could have singled out a easier path of redemption. Give us the courage and determination to do the good that our world needs. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: If there is to be any good accomplishment in life, it will take courage and determination.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 66 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2. John the evangelist's use of the phrase I AM is a reference to God's name as given in the Book of Exodus, and therefore John is calling Jesus God. Why is it important to see that Jesus was both God and man?
3. Notice that John the evangelist does not have any "Agony in the Garden" as part of his Passion account of Jesus. Again, John wants to stress that even though Jesus suffered as a man, he was at the same time God who entered into the ordeal of his death in a willing way and was in control of the situation. What does Jesus' action mean for us today?
4. In your opinion, was Jesus showing in this passage that he was against all fighting? Yes or no and why?
5. What is your understanding of "redemption." See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 613-617.
6. Name some other people who by their lives and perhaps deaths have tried to bring about good for humankind.
7. In your opinion, what is the most important "good" that we can do for our own little world right now?
8. What is the largest threat of evil for humankind right now, and what, if anything, can we do about it?
9. Scene analysis: Thorin's conversion experience. In general, conversion from love of money does not happen easily. What is the most important part of such a conversion?
10. Analysis: Alfrid. The story wanted to stress that not all were willing to fight. In your opinion, are there "good" reasons not to fight in a battle? Yes or no and why?
11. Analysis: the incessant killing that takes place throughout the movie. In your opinion, does all of this killing affect the minds of the people, especially young people who watch the movie? Yes or no and why?
12. Scene analysis: Thorin allows Azog to impale him so that Thorin can have a better chance to kill Azog which he finally achieves. It is a true martyrdom to bring about good. When one studies martyrdom, what are the characteristics of a true martyr for good?
13. Dialogue analysis: Tauriel as she laments the loss of Kili, asking Thranduil why it hurts so much, and his response: "Because it was real." What are the characteristics of "real" love?
14. Scene analysis: Bilbo lies about having the Ring. In your opinion, why did he lie?
15. What does the movie "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies" teach young people?

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