[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, May 22 JOHN 16:29-33 There are difficult times for you when you abandon me, but I will not abandon you. Prayerthoughts a. The Lord speaks to us in various ways. What are the primary ways in which the Lord speaks to me? b. Have I completely accepted what the Lord has allowed to happen in my life? Perhaps I must spend some time realizing that the Lord really has been working in my life, no matter what has happened. And spend time thanking God. c. The Lord’s question is a very good one: do you believe now? Do I truly believe that everything that happens is for my own good in one way or another? d. The Lord tells us why we may not believe: there are going to be things that “scatter” us. I have felt that in my life, to be sure. As I study my life, what are the times when I have been apart from the Lord? As I think of them, I ask for the Lord’s forgiveness. e. The “world” or human nature does not think the way the Lord perceives things. I know how the Lord feels because of these Scriptures. I should take the time to ask the Lord to pray that I will be able to listen closely to the Lord. f. My prayerthoughts…   Today I will read the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 19 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  “DO YOU BELIEVE NOW?”  + The source of a good meditation often is to take Jesus’ questions and ask them about ourselves                   – his question in the Gospel today:          Do you believe now? – that is, do you really believe?          – the context of the question was a reply to a rather strong statement from the disciples: “We are convinced that you know everything”                   – and Jesus by his question is challenging his disciples by making them aware that they will be scattered out of fear when he is crucified,                            – and not only that, but they will have to suffer much when they finally begin their preaching on behalf of Christianity                   – but Jesus doesn’t end negatively                            – he assures his disciples that even though the world may overcome them in the end by killing them or hurting them                                     – he—Jesus—has overcome the world, and the disciples have nothing to fear  + We can allow Jesus’ question to lead us to a deeper spiritual life if we desire:          Do you really believe?          – do our thoughts, words and actions show that we really believe?          – *** Paul would spend significant time debating about the kingdom of God on his missionary journey at Ephesus                            – how much time do we spend on spiritual reading and spiritual education?          – *** Paul had to clarify some things about Baptism                            – have we truly accepted the promises that we have made at Baptism so that others can see them in our living?          – *** the disciples tell Jesus that they are convinced about him                            – when it comes to the difficult virtues that Jesus teaches—universal love of others including enemies, forgiveness, control of the tongue, the true understanding of wealth—is it clear that we are convinced of Jesus’ way?          – *** Jesus says that he has overcome the world                            – do we even want to allow the world to be overcome                                     – or do we like too much the pleasure, power, and money that go with life?  + The question of Jesus “Do you believe now” asked individually of all of us is a very good question that we can learn from, if we want. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “F9: The Fast Saga” — final session THE EVIL OF DESIRE FOR POWER The Gospel MATTHEW 2:1-8 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”

Gospelthink: Herod was an evil man interested only in his own power. Do I think too much of wanting power.

Th principal concern of the second half of the movie “F9: The Fast Saga” is the weapon which Mr. Nobody had in his possession when his plane went down. Dom and his friends find part of the weapon called Project Aries. The weapon is able to control any computer-controlled system, thus making the operator literally all powerful. Jakob steals the part that Dom discovered, finally faces him directly and is captured by Jakob and his friends. Cipher, an evil escaped convict, and Otto, Jakob’s associate and financier make up Jakob’s principal supporters. Proving the maxim that there is no honor among thieves, Otto and Cipher turn against Jakob. Jakob realizing that his family are really his only friends, turns to them. Together, Dom and Jakob and friends, some of whom travel to outer space to disable a satellite connected with the Project, conquer Otto and destroy Project Aries. Dom gives Jakob the chance to return to a life away from evil and Dom and his family and friends celebrate the life they have fought for.

There are many examples of evil in the Gospels which interact with Jesus in various ways. One of the principal evils, if not the most evil, enters into Jesus’s life immediately at his birth. Herod was intent on having the power in his own little world and simply could not tolerate any other power in his kingdom. He lies to the magi that he would offer homage to the other King, but those of us who know the rest of the story know what he did in a fit of anger to get rid of the children the new King’s age. Herod did not possess a Project Aries that is portrayed in the movie “F9: The Fast Saga,” but there is little doubt that if such a thing were available, he would have wanted it in order to have the control that it gave its owner. It brings up the whole question of evil, a question that is as familiar as life itself. Why does God allow evil? Is evil stronger than good? Why think that things will be better when things are so hopeless? Even if good does happen, why is it often too late? St. Augustine explains: “God would never allow any evil whatsoever to exist in his works if he were not so all-powerful and good as to cause good to emerge from evil itself.” Control of others by any means falls into this category of evil. Real life sometimes seems far away from religious doctrine. But, if religious doctrine is true, there will always be glimmers of hope that are truly part of our world. Good really does conquer evil. Even the non-believer, when given the facts of history, has to admit that good has come out of the evil, though at the time, it did not seem like it. God really is in charge. Just as God was truly in charge even when evil is as close as Herod was to Jesus.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, one of the greatest evils that exists in our world is the desire for power. It is rampant in all areas of our lives, and unfortunately it is present in our lives to a certain extent. Help us learn to recognize the desire for power to be the evil which it is. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: The desire to control others and thus rule the world is the underlying motive of all evil. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:(session: approximately 66 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. What are the greatest evils in our world at the present time? 3. Why is the desire for power so strong in people? 4. Give an example of good coming out of evil from the history of our world. 5.  St. Augustine’s quote is the classic quote that good overcomes evil, and that God will bring it about. This is not always a consolation to those who have had evil perpetrated on them. What are some ways that we can help those people? 6. What does the movie “F9 the Fast Saga” teach young people?