TGIMMadditionalTSAL1

	SIGNIFICANT FRIENDSHIP

The Gospel

MARK 14:10-11

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Media

"To Save A Life"

beginning session

Some young friendships will never last because they are more of an association than anything else. Some will last throughout high school, maybe into college, but will eventually be forgotten because the people involved have different interests.Some friendships, however, can be called "significant" in that they should not be forgotten, no matter what happens to the parties involved. In the movie "To Save A Life," when they were young, Roger Dawson had saved the life of his friend Jake Taylor, and he had been hurt in the process. For Jake and Roger, it should have constituted a significant friendship, but because of a number of personal choices, Jake allowed the friendship to be all but forgotten. When Roger took his own life, Jake suddenly became aware of some wrongdoing on his part.

We do not know the strength of the friendship between Jesus and Judas Iscariot, but it probably was relatively strong at one time. Jesus had chosen him as one of the Twelve, a group of disciples that spent a significant amount of time with him. Jesus had no doubt trained him as he trained the other Apostles. To all of the Twelve he had given the power to cure disease and heal those who were sick and distressed. Jesus had even given Judas the money for the group. One could probably say then that their friendship was close. Consequently, it is very difficult to explain why Judas betrayed Jesus to the people who wanted to kill him. Judas himself did not know the answer, of course, given that his life on earth ended in total despair.

Whatever the reason, the result for Judas was a loss of perspective of what friendship should have been. Jake Taylor in the movie "To Save a Life" had the same feelings as he looked back on his association with Roger Dawson. Where there once was a friendship, it had evolved to no friendship at all. And it was Jake's fault. As he studied his behavior, he gradually began to understand some things.

The friendships that we have at the present time may or may not last throughout our lives. If they are significant friendships, they will last, or at least they should. One of the important tasks that we have as we grow into adulthood is to determine the people that are significant in our lives, and then foster the friendship in some way, that is, to discover what Jake Taylor finally discovered.

A quick footnote should be mentioned regarding all friendships. Whether our friendships at the present time will be classified as "significant" or not, we should recognize that our friends should be special to us. At any moment, the Christian should treat them with the respect that they deserve.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, as we study your Son's human life, we see the friendships that he formed. He no doubt felt the pain of rejection from some of them. May we be friends with your Son forever, and may we learn the value of being friends to others as well. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme:  If friendships are significant, they should be honored forever.

THE GOSPEL
1. What do you think was Judas’ motivation for betraying Jesus?
2. Money obviously plays a part in Judas’ betrayal. Money is and has always been important. What is most people’s attitude toward money today, and what should it be?
3. Do you agree that Jesus’ and Judas’ friendship was a close one? Yes or no and why?

THE MEDITATION
1. What would be your definition of a “significant” friendship?
2. [personal question not to be shared with the group] Give some examples of "significant friendships" in your life right now.
3. The meditation makes the point that Judas himself did not know why he betrayed Jesus. At what times in our lives is it true that we do not totally understand why we do certain things? Yes or no and why?
4. High school friendships may not last a long time, but they are "significant" as young people grow. What are the principal characteristics of "friendship"?
5. In high schools today, are most of the young people “friendly” to everyone else? Yes or no and why?

THE MOVIE, PART 1 (approximately 37 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. What was the principal reason why Jake shunned Roger as they went to high school?
3. Scene analysis: If Jake had invited Roger to the party, what would have happened?
4. Scene analysis: Jake and Amy enjoy the picnic on the beach. What is the most important guideline for young teenagers in love?
5. Scene analysis: Roger kills himself. What should Roger have done in order to feel better about himself?
6. Scene analysis: the teenage party. Is this a typical party in high school? Yes or no and why?
7. Dialogue analysis: Mark admits that he shunned Roger also. Given the circumstances, how should Mark have reacted to Roger at the Church service?
8. Dialogue analysis: Mark says that somehow they must “own” how they treated Roger. What does he mean? How would they do it?
9. Analysis: Jake’s family life. What was the one thing that could make his family happier?

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