addressing

Movie: "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, part 1"
-- beginning session

ADDRESSING THE EVIL

The Gospel

MATTHEW 21:12-13

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And he said to them, “It is written: ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of thieves.”

Gospelthink: I dismissed the people from the temple who were selling necessary temple goods for profit. Am I making too much profit in my work?

In the movie "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" after she was safely within the confines of District 13, Katniss had discovered that she and some of her fellow tributes were able to bring about the destruction of the Hunger Games. The president of the District, Alma Coin and their ally Plutarch Heavensbee explained that some of the participants in the Games were aware of the rebellion that had already begun with Katniss as the symbol of the rebellion. However, since Peeta had not been rescued in the rebellion, Katniss was no longer interested in leading the rebellion. In fact, it seemed that Peeta has been "turned" to be part of the Capitol. But when President Snow and the Capitol forces destroyed innocent injured men, women and children in the District 8 hospital, Katniss passionately decided to be their symbolic leader. She accepted the position only if there was an attempt to rescue Peeta and the remaining tributes.

What does one do when evil is so powerful that it has not allowed for any freedom whatsoever? In fact, what does one do when that evil is destroying the very society in which one lives? What can anyone do to offset a superior force that will completely dominate everyone unless someone does something? Katniss Everdeen and those who were oppressed by the Capitol had to face those questions in the movie "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1."

Jesus had to face the same questions on a spiritual realm. People were using his Father's House, as he called it, that is, the Temple, for their own gain. The ritual rites of the Temple demanded that there had to be money exchange and the selling of animals for sacrifice. Those who worked with the system took advantage of the need, supplying what was necessary at the very entrance of the Temple. Jesus saw only evil corrupting a house of prayer. He felt that he had to do something.

In both instances, the leaders of District 13 along with Katniss in the movie, and Jesus in the Gospels confronted the evil. No doubt understanding that their resistance could result in death and persecution, both the rebels and Jesus felt that there was no other way to go. Once the evil had acted out, they had to retaliate. They had to make a statement of protest.

We do not have the luxury of being absolutely certain about evil in our own day. Too often evil is disguised behind our own ulterior motives to define something as evil when it is nothing more than our own bias. But when there is real evil in our workplaces, our schools, our communities, we must confront it in some way. We must be cautious as we act, and careful that we do not do more harm than good, but at least we must expose evil for what it is.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, there is evil that surrounds us. Sometimes we can do something about it; sometimes we cannot. Give us the courage to do what we can to confront the evil that we see. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: At times, we must confront evil directly.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 59 minutes)
1. What scene during this session is most striking? Why?
2. The presenter may want to present a class on "The Temple" of the Israelite people, pointing out where the money changers and so forth were located.
3. Most commentators remark that Jesus was angry as he did the action. In your opinion, can a holy person be both holy and angry at the same time? Yes or no and why?
4. What effect would the action have on Jesus' ministry to people?
5. Jesus uses exaggeration when he calls what was happening a "den of thieves." In your opinion, why was Jesus so strong in his language here?
6. Some critics of our world maintain that what the Capitol was doing to the Districts is the same as what is happening in some parts of the world. Do you agree or not?
7. As you think of what was happening in the Temple, namely the money exchange and selling, etc., do you think that there is any comparison to today's Church? Yes or no and why?
8. Give some examples of people who are confronting evil and may suffer death or persecution as a result.
9. In our world today, where do you see people making a "statement of protest" concerning how they are being treated?
10. Analysis: Katniss at first refuses to be a symbol of the rebellion because the leaders did not rescue Peeta. Why is this an immature reaction?
11. Analysis: the evil of President Snow. Do you think that there is such outright evil present in today's world? Yes or no and why?
12. Analysis: Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay after viewing the destruction of her former District provided that the leaders rescue Peeta and the other tributes. Why was it important for Katniss to be the Mockingjay symbol?
13. Scene analysis: the destruction of the hospital by the Capitol. Similar acts have been committed during the wars that have plagued our world. Why would a nation commit such acts of atrocity?

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