TGIMMhunger2

	TREATING OTHERS WELL NO MATTER WHAT

The Gospel

LUKE 23:39-43

[At Jesus’ crucifixion,] one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Media -- "The Hunger Games" (final session)

Having entered the Hunger Games in place of her sister, Katniss Everdeen continued to allow her feelings of love to govern her behavior in the most adverse of circumstances. Since her early days, she had shown concern for others, and it came to play even in an arena in which she must kill her fellow participants in order to survive. Her interaction with Peeta and Rue was one of consistent care for them. Even at the close of the Games when she could have been the winner by killing Peeta, she tricked the Capitol leaders by suggesting suicide with no winners to the Games. It angered those who were in charge, of course, but won the respect of the people by making a double winner for the Games. Her care for others was an encouraging statement of sanity in the midst of the brutality of mindless killing.

Without too much imagination, we can compare the situation of Katniss Everdeen when she was involved in "The Hunger Games" with our own situation in the world. She was surrounded by evil that was not her own creation, forced to kill instead of love, forced to hurt others if she wanted to survive, but she managed to continue to love and show concern as far as she was able. You and I are often part of a world that is likewise surrounded by evil. It is clear, for example, that we must have armies and police and protective weapons because of the problems that are part of our everyday living. Katniss's actions then can be a great example for us.

It is not unlike the example of Jesus who even as he suffered the violence of his undeserved death did not lose his love and concern for those in need around him. Loving and caring people will not cease to be loving and caring just because they have pain in their own lives.

It is true, of course, that we do not have the same circumstances that Jesus and Katniss Everdeen had. But we all have problems, whether they are of our own doing or not. The circumstances of our day-to-day lives, whether it be in school, at work, or during times of relaxation always involves difficulties that will affect us in one way or another. There are pressures that tend to be overpowering. Our lives are often not easy to live. The lesson of Jesus in the Gospels and Katniss in "The Hunger Games" is one to learn therefore. Even in the midst of our own problems, we must be aware of other human beings who can use our help, offering to them what we can give.

In the Christian scheme of things, we are called to treat other people well, no matter how we feel.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son gave us the example to love others no matter what the circumstances. Give us the grace to learn from him, and to truly want to help others no matter how we feel. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Even if we are in the midst of our own problems, we must be aware of other human beings who are in peril.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 43 minutes)
1. What scene during this session is most striking and why?
2. The good thief asks Jesus to remember him "when you come into your kingdom." What is your understanding of the "kingdom" of Jesus? See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 2816-2821.
3. Jesus promises the good thief that he will be with him in paradise which in late Hebrew writings means an intermediate state of happiness of the righteous before the final judgment. What is your understanding of "paradise."
4. What conclusion concerning eternal life can be made from Jesus' action and words spoken to the good thief?
5. In what ways are we surrounded by evil?
6. Will there ever be a time when we do not need to have police and protection? Yes or no and why?
7. Give some examples of "loving and caring people" in your life right now.
8. What are the principal pressures connected with school? With work?
9. Why is the statement of the meditation that "our lives are often not easy to live" a true statement?
10. What is most difficult about living in the world today?
11. In general, do you believe that most Christians treat other people well? Yes or no and why?
12. Scene analysis: Cato kills the tribute guarding the supplies. Do you believe that people can be taught to kill so easily? Yes or no and why?
13. Scene analysis: Katniss mourns Rue's death. What is the best way to mourn the loss of a friend?
14. Scene analysis: Haymitch and Seneca "set up" the love of Katniss and Peeta. What are the elements of true romantic love of one for another?
15. Analysis: Church people have praised the author and makers of the movie in portraying the love in a chaste way. In your opinion, are most love involvements "chaste"? Yes or no and why?
16. Scene analysis: Gale, Katniss' first boyfriend, watches what is transpiring in the games, and is jealous. Does jealousy play a large role in early romantic love relationships? Yes or no and why?
17. Scene analysis: Thresh kills Clove who is about to kill Katniss. It seems that Thresh showed some care and concern, as he "rewarded" Katniss for what she did for Rue by giving her a chance to live. Analyze the truth of this statement: there is always some desire to be good in everyone, no matter what the circumstances.
18. Scene analysis: Seneca introduces the mutated mad dog into the Games. What do you think was his reasoning?
19. Scene analysis: Katniss tells Peeta to commit suicide with her and says, "Trust me." It was a way of defying the leaders of the Hunger Games. In your opinion, is there ever a time when a person could commit suicide? Yes or no and why?
20. Dialogue analysis: Peeta tells Katniss that he does not want to forget what has happened, implying of course, that there is still romantic feelings for her. Do you think that Katniss had the same feelings for him? Yes or no and why?
21. What does the movie "The Hunger Games" teach young people?

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