TGIMMthehobbitd

	WHAT HAVE WE DONE

The Gospel

MARK 10:35-39a

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.”

The Media -- "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" (final session)

After the Dwarves had received the help from their former enemies the Elves that was necessary for their survival in the movie "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," they finally arrive at their destination of the Lonely Mountain. It was here that they could reclaim their kingdom and be at home once again. But both Orcs and the dragon Smaug, who were empowered in their evil by Sauron, the supreme evil, blocked their way. Gandalf could not help them since he had been captured already by Sauron. As the Dwarves try to retake their mountain by stealing the Arkenstone with Bilbo's help, the dragon awakened because of Bilbo's foraging, and as before, proved to be an almost indestructible enemy. Bilbo realized what he had done, and as the movie closes, watching the dragon leave to create further havoc and death, cries in desperation, "What have we done!"

We often say words or perform actions that have little consequence. They amount to very little on the scale of importance in our over-all living. But sometimes our words and actions are of supreme importance and we know and prepare for them. However at times, we go about our daily lives and in the process, we say or do things that will have a major impact on the future life we will lead and we have no idea how important they are.

Bilbo Baggins had no idea of the amount of trouble that he might cause as he searched for the Arkenstone in the Lonely Mountain in the movie "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." He knew that there might be danger, but he did not know what his participation in the danger would cause. He only understood when he had awakened the dragon Smaug and released him on the world again. His only reaction was the lament, "What have we done!"

Likewise in the Gospels, after making their request of Jesus as recorded by Mark the evangelist, John and James respond to the Lord that they were ready to accept the responsibility that went along with being close to Jesus. Again, they may have known a little of the danger of following the man Jesus who was creating enemies even as he was helping the people around him. But they had no idea what their simple words of "We can" would mean for the rest of their lives.

We cannot always know the impact of all of our actions and our words because they often seem so insignificant at the time we make them. But we can bring ourselves to be more aware of what we do and say. It might mean that we learn to be very cautious anytime we are saying or doing something that might affect our futures. It might mean that we spend more time of serious thought about the actions and words that we do and say each day.

We say words and do actions that often mean a lot for our future. Chances are that we should be more careful with what we do and say.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we go about our lives often without thinking about what we do and say. Help us make ourselves more aware of the importance of the words we say and actions we do. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We must be aware at all times of the possible outcomes of our words and actions.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 76 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. The Gospel passage shows that John and James have not yet understood Jesus' message. In the world today, do you think that most Christians have truly understood Jesus' message? Yes or no and why?
3. Jesus' answer implies that John and James will indeed be part of Jesus' action on earth, that is, the redemption of humankind. What is your understanding of "redemption"? (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 606-618.)
4. Project: The instructor might want to give the subsequent history of John and James. (See Catholic Encyclopedia.)
5. Give an example from history of a person saying or doing something that had a lasting impact, and he/she did not know the importance of it at that time.
6. The meditation mentions that we do or say things without knowing their importance. Give some examples.
7. Scene analysis: Sauron overcomes Gandalf. Evil once again seems to be stronger than the good. In your opinion, why does the Christian believe that good will always conquer the bad?
8. Scene analysis: Bilbo releases Smaug and in the meantime Bard is captured. As with all "sequels," it seems to be an impossible situation to get out of. At this stage of the movie, what would you suggest should be done?
9. Scene analysis: Smaug once again is released upon the world. In modern day, what is the worst evil that has been released on the world,
10. What does the movie "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" teach young people?

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