TGIMMthehu

	ALL THE PLEASURES

The Gospel

LUKE 4:5-8

Then [the devil] took [Jesus] up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me." Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'"

The Media "The Hunger Games"

second session

It soon became clear in the movie "The Hunger Games" that not only was it true that the participants in the Games were meant to kill one another, but that they were to do it in order to entertain the people of the Capitol. The Games were set up as punishment to the districts and for entertainment for those who watched, almost everyone in the Capitol. The Games became literally "made for TV" and everything from desiring sponsors because of clever costumes to the continuous television talk about what was happening added to the show. Perhaps it never even occurred to the people of Capitol that young people were actually killing one another because it was nothing more than "reality TV" that satisfied their innate desire of enjoyment.

Human beings like the possibility of having every pleasure they can have. So, when the devil tempted Jesus to look at "all the kingdoms of the world," he thought he was tempting an ordinary human being who wanted all the power and glory and pleasure that those kingdoms could offer. He did not realize that Jesus was no "ordinary human being." He was a human being who knew that selfishness could not always be satisfied, and that the kingdoms of the world were not meant to be people's play-toys. The kingdoms of the world were meant to remind us of a Creator that we had to serve.

You and I live in a world that is fixed on pleasure, pleasure that is there because we are fixed on pleasure. Our human natures want to have fun. We like the feeling of happiness and relaxation that come from technology, from tasty foods, from the opportunity for more money, from cruises and trips to exotic places. We even like "reality TV" in which we can take pleasure in another person's situation in life, exactly the case of the people of the Capitol in "The Hunger Games."

The followers of Jesus must react to pleasure in a different way. God knows full well that our pleasures often turn to hurting another to make us feel better. So, Jesus reminds us that we may enjoy the pleasures of living, but we must never forget who is in charge. God is ultimately in charge of all life, and in the end, we must worship God.

The late Catholic leader Pope John Paul II once wrote: "The great danger for family life, in the midst of any society whose idols are pleasure, and independence, lies in the fact that people close their hearts and become selfish." It is a great danger all the time.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, I like pleasure and being satisfied. Give me the grace to always understand that having fun is good but can become too important in my life, and make me forget the importance of you and other people. Be with me, I pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Entertaining ourselves at another's expense is one of the most pronounced forms of human selfishness.

THE GOSPEL
1. Jesus' temptations as presented in Matthew's Gospel (chapter 4) and here in Luke's Gospel revolve around disobedience to the Father. What is your understanding of "obedience"? Why is "obedience" so necessary in our world.
2. Text analysis: "all the power and glory of the kingdoms of the world." What is the meaning of the phrase?
3. The devil, of course, is lying about having the power he claims, but many people have fallen into the devil's trap. As you study history, give some examples of people who seek power and glory without regard for anything else.

THE MEDITATION
1. Project: the presenter may want to make a presentation on the two natures of Jesus, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 464-478.
2. In your opinion, what gives the most pleasure to human beings?
3. What is your favorite "reality TV" show? Why is it interesting?
4. Give an example of how "our pleasures often turn to hurting another" to make us feel better.
5. Do you agree with Pope John Paul II's statement? Yes or no and why?
6. What are the "idols" that often guide people's lives?

THE MOVIE, PART 2 (approximately 43 minutes)
1. What scene during this session is most striking and why?
2. Dialogue analysis: President Snow tells Seneca that the Games are about hope. What is your definition of hope?
3. Dialogue analysis: Peeta--"I don't want them to change me." What did he mean? What does it mean to be people who "are themselves" among the problems of the world?
4. Scene analysis: Katniss shows pronounced fear as she heads to the Games. Is fear always something bad? Yes or no and why?
5. Dialogue analysis: A couple of times, Katniss thanks people when they help her. Why is it so important to say the words "thank you"?
6. Scene analysis: As the cannon sounds indicating the number of deaths of the young people on the first day, a butterfly is present. What is the significance of the butterfly?
7. Scene analysis: Peeta works with the alliance of young people who are trying to find and kill Katniss. At that time, Katniss did not know Peeta's intention. In your opinion, how would Peeta help Katniss this way?
8. Scene analysis: Rue helps Katniss. Obviously, Rue likes Katniss, even though they should want to kill each other according to the rules. Is it true to say that Rue was similar to Katniss by having a kind nature? Yes or no and why?

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