TGIMMwhataya

	NOT TOMORROW BUT RIGHT NOW

The Gospel

MATTHEW 8:19-22

A scribe approached and said to Jesus, “Teacher,” I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

The Media -- "Whataya Want From Me" (Adam Lambert)

"There might have been a time I would give myself away, but now here we are. So whataya want from me. Just don’t give up: I’m workin’ it out. Please don’t give in, I won’t let you down. It messed me up, need a second to breathe. Just keep coming around. It’s plain to see that you’re beautiful and it’s nothing wrong with you. It’s me. But thanks for lovin’ me ‘cause you’re doing it perfectly."

When Jesus spoke about his Kingdom, and the need for it, he realized that people procrastinate, that they put off the necessity to change. If his followers were interested only in the future, and not in the here and now, what he wanted to accomplish may have been in jeopardy. He resorts to exaggeration to get his point across. What he was saying was that the Kingdom that he was preaching could not wait until other things were satisfied. The Kingdom is now. "Follow me," Jesus said, and don’t wait for anything else. It means that you have to change now in order to bring about a better future.

Adam Lambert sings of a person who needs to change in his song "Whataya Want From Me." He has done some things in the love relationship that he should not have done, probably said some things that should not have been said. "It's me," he sings. It's not her at all. He knows it, but human nature being what it is, he also knows that he wants to put off the change to a later date: "Need a second to breathe," he sings. The second may extend to a minute, to an hour, to a day, to "tomorrow" when it may never happen.

It is the same with life. We may look at what is happening--some things that we are doing wrong: some words that we are saying, some actions that we are into, neglecting things that should not be neglected. And we say, "It's me." But we want the "second to breathe," the second that could mean that we will wait until "tomorrow."

Perhaps we will be able to do wonderful things in the future, but we must also convince ourselves that we can do wonderful things right now. We can be a lot better, better in school, better in the community where we live, better in our families—right now. It is an opportunity we could be missing.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, through your Son Jesus you call us to change what must be changed right now. We often do not want to do it because we tend to turn away from difficulty. Give us the grace to see that there are some things that we can change now so that our futures can be better. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDELINES FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: As we study our lives, we must make the changes that must be made immediately.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. In the Gospel, Jesus is speaking in exaggeration, making the point that the call to follow him supersedes security and family obligation. Looking at your life right now, what is Jesus calling you to?
2. Jesus wants us to consider carefully the meaning of being a disciple of his. If you were the perfect disciple, what would you do most of all?
3. Jesus is addressed as “Teacher.” What is Jesus’ greatest teaching? Do Christians follow it? Yes or no and why?
4. Analysis: “Whataya want from me?” What do most people want in a relationship?
5. Text analysis: “Need a second to breathe.” The meditation interprets the phrase to mean that he may be procrastinating. Why do most people procrastinate, that is, put off until tomorrow what they could do today?
6. Text analysis: “It’s plain to see that you’re beautiful.” The man in the relationship compliments his girlfriend. Do you think the people in a relationship give compliments, but really do not mean them? Yes or no and why?
7. In a love situation, are most people willing to change for the other? Yes or no and why?
8. In your opinion, how would you describe Jesus’ “Kingdom”? (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 541-553.)
9. What are the most common changes that should be made as one grows into a mature adult?
10. Sometimes “taking a second to breathe” is not procrastination, but rather a chance to think before one determines what must change. What is the best way to prepare for a serious change in one’s life?
11. In your community right now, what are some changes that should be made, and how can they be accomplished?
12. What does the song “Whataya Want From Me” teach young people today?

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