TGIMMJuly5

	FACING THE NEGATIVES

The Gospel

JOHN 16:4b-7

Jesus said, “I did not tell you this from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

Gospelthink: The Spirit that I give helps you distinguish right from wrong. Have I stayed away from sin in my life?

The Media -- "Up" (beginning session)

It all began as it should. Boy meets girl; she was able to have fun with life and dream big of exploring the world; he is shy and quiet, always careful, but has the same dream of exploration. In the movie "Up," Carl, the boy, and Ellie, the girl, grow up, date, get married, buy a rundown house and turn it into a dream home, are happy together and grow old in love. But there were negatives. Because of the problems, they could never save enough money to enjoy a trip to their dream destination, Paradise Falls. When a young boy, Russell, finally enters their family, it is after Ellie died, and Russell himself had immense problems of his own. As Carl (along with Russell quite by accident) set out to fulfill his and Ellie's dream with his makeshift hot air balloon, negatives continued to plague him. But Ellie's memory guided Carl, giving him the courage and incentive that he needed.

The problems of Carl Fredrickson in the movie "Up" are familiar enough to people who have felt the negatives of living. For example, as Jesus was about to leave this earth, his disciples could only be filled with grief. They had been with Jesus for a couple of years, actually giving their lives to him. Now he told them that he was about to leave. It seemed that life was defined by the negative. Life would never be happy again.

It is interesting to compare the negatives that plagued Carl Fredrickson and the negatives of the disciples of Jesus. Both felt the unhappy feelings of life, but in both situations, there is a thought that there is a way out of the negative, namely, with the assistance of someone else. Carl has his memory of Ellie that keeps him going; Jesus speaks of the Advocate who will come to the disciples.

There is an important lesson here. Our growth from childhood to adulthood and to old age is not easy. There will be many times that we encounter storms and lose control, even to the point of drifting away from the course that we should be traveling. Parents refuse to understand, a love relationship does not work out, a friendship ceases, harsh words are spoken, some tragedy happens, and life becomes bitter. Often several negatives occur at the same time, making it even more difficult to face the world. It is then that we need something to see us through the pain and rage. It may be the memory of someone that will guide us, but it must be someone who can listen to our story, recognize our situation and lead us to some further help if necessary. Everyone is in need of such a help, and truthfully, everyone of us will be able to find such a friend or parent or grandparent who can help us.

For the Christian, Jesus in the Gospel of John gives us an idea of what kind of help will be given to us. It is none other than the help of God through the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will give us the grace we need when we ask for it. In the negative times, the Christian believes that help is just that close--the Holy Spirit dwells with us, and will help us through them. We pray with that confidence.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, through your Son, you have promised to send us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will help us in our needs as we struggle with the difficult things of earth. Help us turn to you, our God, and give us the grace to truly believe that you will help us. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: There are negatives in life that can be overcome.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 45 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. Given that the “Advocate” is the Holy Spirit, how do you understand the Holy Spirit? (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 683-747)
3. In your own words describe these gifts of the Holy Spirit (Catechism, number 1831): wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
4. From your own understanding of the Apostles’ time with Jesus, what do you think was most difficult for them?
5. What is the “most negative” of the “negatives” of our world. What is a way out of it?
6. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, is presented as a source of overcoming the negatives for the Christian. How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives?
7. Carl becomes a “grumpy old man.” What can be done for people who become this way in life?
8. Character analysis: Russell—what is your first impression of him?
9. Russell chooses “Kevin” as a pet. Why do people have animal pets?
10. Dialogue analysis: Carl and Russell talk about Russell’s Dad: why is a “father figure” so important in today’s world?

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