TGIMMcatching1

	HOPE IN THE MIDST OF HURT

The Gospel

MARK 15:37-39

Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. Then the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

The Media -- "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (beginning session)

During the movie "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," six months after the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark were scheduled to begin a victory tour of the Districts. Recognizing that Katniss really did not show the love for Peeta that she should, the evil President Snow warned her about her lukewarm love of Peeta. He told her that if she did not show the love in her trip through the Districts, thus encouraging the continued devotion to the status quo, her family and friends would be placed in harm's way. But when Snow discovered that she was becoming a symbol of rebellion, he and Game Maker Plutarch Heavensbee devised the Quarter Quell. It meant that Katniss and Peeta once again had to enter the death arena, this time with winners from other Districts. Gradually, unknown to her, Katniss became a symbol of hope to a rebellion that was growing in the Districts.

That which made the tragic death of Jesus so hopeful for Christians is what it meant in the long run. Symbolized by the veil of the Holy of Holies in the Hebrew temple being torn in two, it meant that humankind now had access to God any time they chose because, as the centurion acknowledged, Jesus was indeed the Son of God. He became the symbol of hope for Christians everywhere.

Even though Katniss Everdeen did not totally understand it, she became a symbol of hope for the people of the Districts who were so horribly oppressed by the leaders of Panem in the movie "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." It was her defiant attitude which caught on, and with nothing but a desire to be herself, she inspired the people of the Districts because it gave them hope. As she became the "Mockingjay," her destiny was set as a battle cry that a hurting people wanted in the worst way.

In a world torn by so many problems, personal and otherwise, and so many people pushing selfish ideologies, we have a true need for symbols of hope. We must have the Katniss Everdeens of our world to give us hope as we face the evil that causes so much pain. For Christians, of course, the symbol of hope is Jesus. The Christian understands the need for Jesus as redeemer, thus giving hope to every difficulty no matter what it is. We can win in this world because with God's help through Jesus, we can overcome the evil and embrace the divine.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son has redeemed us and given us hope that no matter what happens, there will be happiness. Give us the grace to truly understand what Jesus has done for us. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We all need hope to guide us when life is difficult.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session:approximately 68 minutes)
1. What scene during this session is most striking? Why?
2. In the Jerusalem temple, the "Holy of Holies" veil blocked the presence of God. The evangelist Mark is saying that now through Jesus' death, access to God is guaranteed forever. In your opinion, do most people understand God's presence in the world? Yes or no and why?
3. What is your own understanding of the "redemption of Jesus." See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 599-618.
4. The cross has become a symbol for Christianity. Many spiritual commentators say that "use of the cross" has been commercialized too much (used in jewelry, t-shirts, and the like). Do you agree? Yes or no and why?
5. What is your definition of "hope."
6. What is the most hopeful happening in our world today? What is the least hopeful?
7. What person is most hopeful in the world today? Why?
8. The meditation says that we can win in this world because of Jesus redemption. How is this true for areas that are presently war-torn and tragedy-filled?
9. Analysis: Peeta confronts Katniss on friendship. What is most striking about the scene?
10. Scene analysis: the man in District 11 is shot. Do scenes such as this and throughout the movie affect the young mind? Yes or no and why?
11. Scene analysis: Katniss proposes a public engagement between herself and Peeta. Why is Peeta obviously upset?
12. Dialogue analysis: Katniss' sister Prim tells Katniss that she is giving hope. It was one of the first indications that she had become a symbol of hope. Should she have behaved differently after she found out? Yes or no and why?
13. Analysis: Both Peeta and Katniss try to influence Haymitch to save the other during the games. What does this "say" about their characters?
14. Scene analysis: the training of the victors of the previous games, and Katniss' final expression of defiance by creating the hanging of Seneca Crane. What is most striking about the scenes?

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