TGIMMtonight

	A "CHRISTIAN PARTY"

The Gospel

LUKE 5:29-32

Then Levi gave a great banquet for [Jesus] in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

The Media-- "Tonight, Tonight" (Hot Chelle Rae)

"It’s been a really really messed up week, seven days of torture, seven days of bitter and my girlfriend went and cheated on me. Whatever, it doesn’t matter. We’re going at it tonight, tonight. There’s a party on the rooftop top of the world and we’re dancing on the edge of the Hollywood sign. I don’t know if I’ll make it but watch how good I’ll fake it. It’s alright tonight. Just don’t stop, let’s keep the beat pumpin’. It’s my party dance if I want to; we can get crazy; let it all out."

Would Jesus go to a party? It probably depends on how one would define "party," but it is clear from the Gospels that Jesus went to parties as defined by the people in his day. After Levi had accepted the invitation to follow Jesus, Levi gave a party for his new-found leader, making Jesus the guest of honor. It is interesting to study the reactions of the different people at that party. One was negative, namely, that such behavior was not appropriate for a religious person; the other was positive, from Jesus himself.

Perhaps there are two reactions to the parties of our day as well. One is negative, spoken by many adults as they study the behavior of young adult parties in particular. The other is positive, spoken of course by the people who do the partying. They are the ones who are sung about in Hot Chelle Rae's song "Tonight, Tonight."

Maybe our understanding of a party should include both points of view. By his attendance at Levi's party, Jesus teaches us that parties are good and important because in general there is a real need for "down time" in our world. One can imagine that Levi needed to show Jesus what he really thought of him and the only way he could do it was by a banquet or party. In the song, Hot Chelle Rae speaks of messed up and complicated lives that give rise to a necessity to feel better. Things in our world are truly difficult, and we can become burned out. We must work hard at making our lives worthwhile, but a momentary pause to relax makes good healthy sense.

On the other hand, parties can get out of hand. Jesus' critics pointed out to him that there was a lot of eating and drinking that was going on. No doubt other activities accompanied the good time. Yes, there can be too much drinking and too much physical sharing of ourselves, too much a good thing. Jesus would call it "sick," but he also points out a possibility. Perhaps the Christian can be at a party as someone who is a "cure." That is, perhaps a Christian could be a good example. As Jesus pointed out, sinners can be influenced by the righteous.

Parties in life are not bad. In fact, they may be good. We merely have to remember that in partying we are still a follower of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son was human in every way. That meant that he could enjoy a good time, but as he pointed out, people who are not healthy cannot enjoy a good time. Give us the grace to always accept your presence in our lives so that we can always enjoy ourselves. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We can enjoy a party, but we always must control any negative circumstances that occur at the party.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Tax collectors were classed as sinners because of the dishonesty and injustice associated with their profession. In your opinion, are there some professions today which are fundamentally dishonest? Why?
2. The Pharisees emphasize the impropriety of sharing a meal with tax collectors, who besides being sinners, would have had contact with Gentiles and thus been ritually unclean. Give some examples of people who today are "shunned" by the rest of society, but should not be.
3. The song is a "party" song. In today's world, what would make up a good party?
4. Does this idea of a good party always correspond to what a Christian should be doing? Yes or no and why?
5. Text analysis: the person in the song speaks of "faking" having a good time. In your opinion, why do people "fake" having a good time at a party?
6. In your opinion, if Jesus would come to a "typical" young adult party today, would he be shocked? Yes or no and why?
7. In your opinion, how would the parties of Jesus' time and the parties of today differ?
8. Why are many adults critical of young people's parties?
9. What are the positive parts of a party?
10.The meditation says that there are difficult things in our world that give reason to relax. What are some of the most difficult things in young people's lives?
11. The meditation suggests the possibility that there can be too much drinking and physical sharing of one another at parties. Is such a possibility true in most cases? Yes or no and why?
12. The meditation says that Christians should be a "cure" or a "good example" at a party? Do you think that most Christians follow this directive? Yes or no and why?
13. Specifically, what would a Christian do at a party if he or she is to be a "good example"?
14. What does the song "Tonight, Tonight" teach young people?

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