[media presentation below] GospelThink Wednesday, August 16 MATTHEW 18:15-20 In your relationship with others, be gentle even if you have to correct them. Prayerthoughts a. The Lord gives good psychological advice here. If you have a problem with someone, go to the person and do not talk about it to others. Do I talk to others who are not a professional about others, thus giving into gossiping? b. The idea is that we must be professional in our approach to another. Sometimes we may have to discuss what to do with someone who can help us. But always we must protect the privacy of the person about whom we talk. c. This verse of “going to the Church” is a delicate directive. In today’s world, it might mean going to someone in local spiritual authority, and if the person refuses (even as he/she admits he is wrong), he/she is simply to be placed outside our concern. Can I think of such an instance in which I might have to follow such a directive? d. The verse “whatever you bind on earth” is debated among scholars as to whether it is given to all ministers of the Church. Whatever it means, in a spiritual sense, am I convinced that I must be sorry for my sins? e. Anytime we think of petitionary prayer, we must always remember that when God answers prayer, as God always does, it is in God’s own time and manner which may not necessarily be what I want. Do I truly understand that? f. God is always present when we gather together. When I do pray together with others, do I think in terms of God truly being present in all of us, and treat each other accordingly? g. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will remember the people that I have gossiped about, and express sorrow for it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  CONFRONTING ANOTHER  + The Gospel takes up the psychological human need of confronting someone, that is, correcting another, and places the thought in a spiritual context           – first reading gives us the presentation of the death of Moses, a person who knew how to confront another  + There are a couple of things to consider with the readings today:           1 – the overall context of any confrontation or correction of anyone must be love                      – if we have the occasion to disagree with someone, or confront someone about whatever, it must always be out of love                                – in Moses’s life, primary was his love of God, and therefore his work with the Israelites was done out of love           2 – before the confrontation occurs, a basic presumption must be in place—namely, that the person must know that he/she is right, before he/she confronts anyone                      – often this is not so clear: for example, when there are two or more legitimate sides to the situation, when all the facts are not known, etc.                                – in that case, some discussion may be necessary, but not confrontation                                          – in fact, in our world, I would say that discussion is more necessary than confrontation                      – Moses again was continually guided by God’s law, desiring in most cases the ability to discuss rather than confrontation (except in those cases where he had to confront           3 – one of the things that we do instead of confronting is this—we will talk about the person with whom we have the problem, to someone else who is not a professional           – a professional is a separate case, for example therapists and priests who are bound by secrecy                      – but if that is not the case, then this talking is merely gossip or detraction which is a violation of confidence, and we simply should not be talking about it with others                                – it becomes a sin against charity           4. it is significant that Jesus puts this rather difficult directive to correct another in the same area that he talks about prayer, at the close of the Gospel today           – as we pray, we know that Jesus is with us                      – and part of our prayer must be for the grace to understand disagreeing and confronting another, and how it should happen  + There are some good things to remember here as we look at the readings today. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Closer” — The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey LOVE FOREVER AND LOVE TOO SOON The Gospel LUKE 1:46-56 Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

Gospelthink: My earthly mother was blessed indeed because she recognized who she was: a servant of God. Do I show that I am a servant to others?

The man in the relationship had met the woman earlier, and it fell apart for some reason. Then he saw her again: “Now you’re looking pretty,” he sings, “in a hotel bar.” He sings that he can’t stop himself, and their relationship seems to take off again. “Pull me closer in the back seat of your Rover that I know you can’t afford,” he sings. “You look as good as the day I met you.”

Mary’s Magnificat, that is, her commentary on saying “Yes” to the Will of God is an example of a commitment that will last forever. As she says, “all ages” will call her “blessed” not because of anything she had done, but because of the “great things” that the Lord accomplished through redemption. Her whole life was a preparation for that moment in time. The Lord promised that he would fulfill the promise he made to Abraham and his descendants “forever.” As people fall in love, the ultimate end, of course, is that both will love each other “forever.” But bringing about the “forever” commitment is not something that happens quickly. It takes time, understanding, communication, and what might be called “lived experiences” before a lifelong promise can be made.  In the Chainsmokers’ and Halsey’s song “Closer” it seems as though the couple have not made enough preparation for any permanency in their relationship. It was certainly not part of their first meeting together, and one would conclude that although their relationship may work out, their last meeting did not have the preparation either. One of the desires for young people who fall in love, as well as older people who are still searching for a full commitment, is often the desire to find a permanent love quickly. In general, we do not like to wait for any relationship to become stronger. There is too much work to be done in order to make the proper preparation. It would be much easier to move into a relationship without too much work. But such a desire could be a disaster for both parties. One of the facts of life and love is that love that happens too quickly may not be love at all. Yes, there is such a thing as “love at first sight,” but even such an exception must be open to some “lived experiences” before the full commitment is made. Permanent love takes time to develop. Mary had prepared her whole life to rejoice completely in the Lord. Her Magnificat is an example for people desiring to love to say the word “forever” only after some significant preparation.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, Your servant Mary gives us the example of making a “forever” commitment as she agreed to be the Mother of Your Son here on earth. Give us the grace to learn how to make the commitment of love in our lives. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme:  Love that happens too quickly may not be love at all. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1.In the Gospel reading, what is the most striking part of Mary’s prayer? 2. In general, why should couples be very careful about beginning a relationship a second time? 3. What is your understanding of “redemption.” See Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 599-609. 4. In general, why do permanent commitments not come about quickly? 5. Do you believe that it is a true statement that often we want love relationships to come quickly? Yes or no and why? 6. Do you agree with the meditation that “love at first sight” must also have the proper development over time? Yes or no and why? 7. What are some characteristics of a commitment to true love? 8. What does the song “Closer” teach young people?