january29

January 29

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, January 29

MARK 4:21-25

Judging Others

Prayerthoughts

a. Jesus tells a story that involves my being a light for others to see. Others observe me all the time whether I like it or not. Am I showing the virtues of Jesus to the world?

b. There is nothing that will remain hidden, nothing that will remain a secret. Are there some actions that I do that I would not like the majority of the world to know? Why?

c. The Lord states a phrase that he often uses, saying that we must truly hear what he says to us. Are there some sayings of the Lord that are too difficult for me to listen to?

d. We must also take care what we hear. Do I find myself listening to idle gossip and negative conversation about others, maybe even sometimes contributing to it? Perhaps I should say a prayer for those people that I have been too critical of.

e. The Lord speaks the “measure” proverb anticipating that we will do well as we try to judge others well, saying that “more” will be given to us. Indeed, do I try to use a good measure of others as I judge?

f. The Lord promises that the person who really tries to do well in judging others will be rewarded and the person who does not do well will not be rewarded. It is a little of a scare tactic from the Lord, and one we should listen to.

g. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read 2 Samuel 7:4-17 and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

LAMPS

+ David’s prayer to God in the first reading is a prayer in praise of truth: “You are God and your words are truth,” he says

- Jesus, of course, is our primary source of religious truth in our day today

- and in the Gospel, Jesus is speaking with the thought that what he is proclaiming must be made known to others:

Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed? he asks

+ Jesus’s statements are especially apropos to us who have said that we will follow the Lord in our lives

- we believe firmly that Jesus is the lamp whose light we have received

- and our “job” as Christian people in our world is to make his light palatable for others

- so that others can see that we have completely bought into Jesus in our lives

- and inspire them to do the same in one way or another

- we become an example

+ Another statement that Jesus makes in the Gospel is quite important for us to listen to:

Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

- because we are trying to do something very special with our own Christianity, we would like others to do the same, because we are the lamps of Jesus now

- and therefore we have a tendency to judge others, especially when it comes to whether others are doing what they should do or not

- Jesus tells us that whatever measure we use, that is what will be used with us

- if we are strict with others and what we think they should be doing, the Lord will be strict with us

+ Two things that Jesus is saying to us there, I believe

- one, we should not be judging others at all;

- and two, we have to worry about our own spirituality and what we should be doing

+ The Lord calls us to be lamps to the world, and lamps will only shine—they will never judge whether anyone is using the light or not.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Movie: "The Help" -- final session

COURAGE TO SAY THE TRUTH

The Gospel

MATTHEW 16:21

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Gospelthink: I wanted my disciples to know exactly what would happen to me--I would die and be raised. Jesus speaks of my redemption. Am I as grateful as I should be?

One of the facts of history is that it takes courage to bring about change for the good. When a person undertakes it, he/she can expect rejection, anger and the possibility of death. No one likes to be told that they are wrong, and if they have authority at the time they are told, they will not accept the possibility of change easily. In the movie, "The Help," as Skeeter Phelan interviewed Aibeleen Clark and Minny Jackson about the treatment the black maids received in Jackson, Mississippi, all three understood one thing--they were disturbing the status quo. And such a disturbance could hurt them. Skeeter could be shunned by her friends; Aibeleen and Minny could lose their livelihoods. It took real courage to write about the truth, but they were convinced that it was the right thing to do, no matter what might happen to them.

What is the right thing to do? What would God want me to do in this situation? These are common enough questions when some difficult decision is about to be made by a dedicated Christian. The questions become more poignant when a person's livelihood depends on it. Jesus knew what the city of Jerusalem would mean for him. He knew that his human life as he had lived it up to that time would be completely changed. But he also knew that it was what was right. If he was to accomplish what he wanted, he had to go to Jerusalem. His was truly a courageous decision, but more than anything else, he knew that if he wanted to be true to himself and his cause, he had to do it.

In a sermon that Aibeleen Clark had listened to earlier in the movie "The Help," the minister had encouraged his black community to show courage, to work for what was right. When she listened to it, Aibeleen did not yet understand that she would have the opportunity to show it in a striking way. Skeeter Phelan, fresh from the university, did not completely understand what she wanted to do in her young life. Minny Jackson and the other black maids were aware that they could change things, but they were afraid to do it. Then Aibeleen with Skeeter's help was brave enough to say what was right. Aibeleen, Skeeter and Minny gradually came to the knowledge of what was the right thing to do. They knew that it would "shake the system" and it might even mean the loss of their jobs, but they refused to back down.

It is almost a cliché to say that we should do what is right. Many people have said it in various situations and in various ways. It remains an important directive for living well. Every one of us should have the courage to say and do what is right. If we do not, our lives will be lacking, and our world will not be as good as it could be.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son had the courage to carry out what he knew to be right and true. He gives us a tremendous example as we go about our lives which could be so much better if every one did what is right. Give us the grace to imitate him. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We must have the courage to do what is right.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 68 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In he Gospel, Jesus shows determination to do what he thinks is best for him. In general, what should people be most determined to do as they live in today's world?
3. The human Jesus realized that suffering was going to be part of his life in the very near future. What is the best way to work with the suffering that human beings may have to endure in their lives?
4. As one looks at how he/she should behave in the world, what is the fundamental "right" thing that people should do? Why did you choose the way you did?
5. What is the best way to determine what God wants us to do?
6. What is your definition of courage?
7. In what areas will a true Christian show courage in today's world?
8. In our world today, what are some instances in which a person would lose his/her job if people would do the "right" thing?
9. Who are the most "courageous" people in today's world?
10. Scene analysis: the women shun Celia. What would you do if you were Celia?
11. Scene analysis: Elizabeth slaps Mae Mobley. What is the best discipline for a young child?
12. Scene analysis: The women talk about their sexual actions when they were in high school. Do you think that high school young people are too free with sexuality in their lives today? Yes or no and why?
13. Analysis: Hilly's mother is angry at Hilly because Hilly placed her in a home. What is the best way for children to treat their parents when they are old?
14. Scene analysis: Skeeter talks to her mother about their former maid Constantine. What should her mother have done once she realized that she was wrong?
15. Scene analysis: Minny leaves her abusive husband. What are the possible ways to help a family who has this problem?
16. Scene analysis: Skeeter's mom understands what her daughter has done, telling her that she is proud of her for her courage. Why do more parents not show more appreciation to their grown children?
17. Dialogue analysis: Aibeleen to Hilly: "You are a godless woman." Who are the "godless" people in today's world?
18. Dialogue analysis: Aibeleen says at the end of the movie that in order to love your enemies, you have to first of all know the truth. Why is this a true statement?
19. What does the movie "The Help" teach young people?