TGIMMadditionalTHGCF2

	ALLIES WHO GIVE LIFE

The Gospel

JOHN 15:18-20

Jesus said, “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”

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

Thrown into the insanity of another Hunger Games in the movie "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," this time with the winners from other Districts, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark find themselves with allies. They are not sure what this means because it seems that the usual rules for Hunger Games--only one is left living--are still in place. In truth, the only way the Hunger Games could be defeated was to work with allies. In actuality, through the efforts of Plutarch Heavensbee, rebel who posed as the Game Maker, the Quarter Quell, the supposed special Hunger Games, was only the means that began the Revolution with Katniss as the symbol of rebellion.

The day before he was to die, Jesus was speaking to the ones that he had chosen from the world, the ones he had asked to follow him. He knew that they were his allies, people who were willing to help him in any way they could. Since they were true allies, Jesus wanted to warn them that being an ally with him was difficult because the world was the way it was.

In the movie "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," for a reason that Katness and Peeta did not totally understand at first, they had allies, people who were willing to work with them and were even willing to die for them. The reason they did not know was that they were beginning the Revolution which would eventually free their world. But for them, as they labored with the evil known as the Hunger Games, they knew that the only way to survive was to have allies. They had to have friends who would help each other in order to somehow "win" in spite of the game.

There is a parallel between Jesus' allies in the Gospels and Katniss' and Peeta's allies in the movie. Both had allies who would be with them until the end, even if the end meant persecution. Without too much imagination, people of our world can see an application in modern day. The world as we know it can be very dangerous and very upsetting at times, making us seek some type of refuge and help in order to ward off such a world. The refuge and help lies in our allies, people who are willing to face the problems of the world together with us.

This is true for all levels of living, whether it be in the global environment, but maybe especially in our own personal worlds. We must have allies to help us face the individual situations of our lives, some of which can be overwhelming. We must cherish the allies and friends that we have because quite literally they help us have life.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son chose allies during his earthly life with us, people who would remain his friends. Help us understand the importance of having friends and allies, and especially being a friend and ally to others. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Our lives are so much better when we have allies to help us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 68 minutes)
1. What scene during this session is most striking? Why?
2. In much of John's Gospel the "world" is presented in a negative way, as it is here. In what ways is the "world" bad? In what ways is it good?
3. In what ways are Christians persecuted in the world today?
4. In your opinion do non-Christian people listen to what Christians say and believe? Yes or no and why?
5. What does it mean to be an "ally of Jesus" in today's world?
6. In general, do people "need to have" friends or allies in their lives? Yes or no and why?
7. People often join organizations to help them feel more accepted. What organizations are most helpful to humankind?
8. The Christian church is often considered to be such an organization as described in number 7. For the most part, do Christian congregations make people feel welcome? Yes or no and why?
9. Dialogue analysis: "Remember who the real enemy is." In our world today, who is the "real enemy"? Why?
10. Scene analysis: Cinna is punished for designing the "mockingjay" outfit for Katniss. In our world today, there are people punished every day for not agreeing with the people in charge. Does this type of thing happen in North America? Yes or no and why?
11. Analysis: Some of Peeta's and Katniss' allies sacrifice themselves on their behalf. Who are the modern martyrs in today's world?
12. Analysis: Katniss almost kills Finnick. What kept her from doing it?
13. Scene analysis: The final scene shows Katniss angry, presumably ready to enter the Revolution. Is anger a good motive to accomplish some cause? Yes or no and why?
14. What does the movie "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" teach young people?

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