[media presentation below] GospelThink Thursday, May 11 JOHN 15:9-11 My command is that you love, and this is the way you will be known. Prayerthoughts a. The way that we remain in Jesus’s love and be his friend is to keep his commandments. In my understanding of the Gospel, what are the Lord’s greatest commandments and why? b. There are some commandments that I have not kept in my life. What are they and I   should once again ask for forgiveness. c. The Lord refers to joy. In general, do I look at myself as a “joyful person.” Should I be more joyful? d. What are the biggest joys in my life right now. If they are people, perhaps I should tell them in some way.  (This is the task of the meditation.) e. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will carry out letter d. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  JESUS LOVES US WITH A DIVINE LOVE  + I believe that Jesus’ statement in the Gospel is one of the most incredible statements in the Scriptures:           As the Father loves me, so I also love you.                      – it was spoken to the Apostles, but in a sense to all of us as was all of that Last Discourse of Jesus during the Last Supper as recorded by John the evangelist                      – what is incredible to me is this:                                – the Father and Jesus are one—therefore God                                          – and therefore a love which one can call “divine”           – with this statement, Jesus says: “With that divine love, I love you”                      – Jesus’ love for us is divine love                                – infinitely more than human love                                          – a love with the same intensity as the Father’s love for Jesus                                – it brings about an unbelievable closeness between our God and us  + Such closeness should have a profound effect in our lives           – first, an effect of interior joy                      – the Gospel talks of that: we have reason to be happy with our religion because we have the Lord’s presence, truly                                – it is the reason why the saints were so happy most of the time           – second, an effect of unity                      – the Council of Jerusalem in the first reading was concerned about that                                – this was the first major decision of the early Church                                          – I think we must look at this from more than an historical point of view                                                    – we are called to unity                                                               – so that the different personalities which exist, even people who differ greatly from us, are part of our circle and prayer                                                                         – even to the point of “loving” them (tomorrow’s Gospel)           – third, the effect of a desire to follow the commandments, as mentioned in the Gospel                      – that is, all the commandments of Jesus                                – which includes not only direct involvement with God’s law                                          – that is an automatic                                – but also what might be called an “indirect involvement”                                          – that is, setting up a holy lifestyle which enables God’s law to be loved and accepted  + We have the statement of Jesus that his love for us is the same as his Father’s love for him           – what a tremendous gift, but what an obligation as well. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Whatever It Takes” — Imagine Dragons USING OUR TALENTS The Gospel JOHN 19:28-30 At his crucifixion, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Gospelthink: I died for you to give you life. Do I often show my appreciation to the Lord in a prayer of thanksgiving?

“I was born to run; I was born for this. Whip, run me like a racehorse, pull me like a ripcord. Break me down and build me up, I wanna be the slip, word upon your lip, letter that you rip, break me down and build me up. Whatever it takes, ‘cause I love the adrenaline in my veins. I do whatever it takes, ‘cause I love how it feels when I break the chains. Whatever it takes. Always had a fear of being typical.”

In John the Evangelist’s Gospel, Jesus was in charge of what he did and why he did it. It is evident that John the Evangelist meant to say to the followers of Jesus that even though Jesus was a true man, he was also true God. In John’s mind, everything that Jesus did on earth was another proof that Jesus was in charge of anything that happened. Consequently, when Jesus knew that he had accomplished everything that he needed to accomplish here on earth, he could say “It is finished.” We believe, of course, that Jesus redeemed us by his Passion, Death and Resurrection. Theologically, we know that Jesus could have redeemed us in any way that he wanted, but he chose what happened in the course of his life to be the means to do it. It was something that was not at all easy, and something that went far beyond what he needed to do, but he chose to do it while working with the way his Father had designed. In the song “Whatever It Takes,” the group Imagine Dragons say that they will try to do good even if they are thinking differently from others. The man loves the adrenaline in his blood, that is the energy that he has, and he will not think the way that the others will think, that is the “typical” way. He wants to accomplish something and he wants to do it his way. You and I have certain talents that no one else has in exactly the same way. As Christians, we are called to use those talents the best that we can so that at the end of our lives here on earth, we can say with the Lord that “It is finished.” That is, we have accomplished what the Lord wanted us to do. We are therefore called to do whatever it takes to determine the best way to use those talents.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, You have given us certain talents as we live in our world. Give us the grace to develop those talents in such a way that we will always do Your will. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: A leader will do whatever it takes to accomplish something, even if goes beyond what is usually done. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. The use of Scripture was very important to Jesus as he lived here on earth. In your opinion, do most Christians pray with Scripture? 2. In general, what does it take to make our world a better place? 3. From what you know of Scripture give an instance in which Jesus was human, and when he was divine. 4. What is your idea of “redemption”? 5. In your opinion why did Jesus choose to die in order to redeem us? 6.The meditation presumes that people want to do good in their lives. Do you agree with that? Yes or no and why? 7. What do most people want most of all to accomplish while here on earth? 8. What does the song ” Whatever It Takes” teach young people?