[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, December 18, Special Advent MATTHEW 1:18-25 The circumstances of my birth were difficult, mainly because we were poor people. Prayerthoughts a. Mary conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps I should call on the Holy Spirit more for the guidance I need in life. b. Joseph was a righteous man. What is my definition of “righteous”? c. The Hebrew word for “righteous” is “one who is faithful to the demands of the Law.”  What is the principal “law” for me in my life? d. By the Law (Deuteronomy 22:23-27), Mary was to be stoned to death because of the assumed adultery, but Joseph was unwilling to denounce Mary publicly. In my thoughts about people who break the law, do *I find myself too harsh in my judgment? e. In Matthew’s Gospel, “dreams” play an important part. What dream in my life has been most striking to me? Why? f. “Jesus” in Hebrew means “God saves.” In what ways has Jesus saved me? g. “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.” I should probably think more of God being part of my personal world. h. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will carry out letter e. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  MATTHEW’S CHRISTMAS STORY  + As we get closer to Christmas, the great stories of Christmas are presented in the Gospel           – here the straightforward short story according to Matthew                      – prefigured by the promise of Jeremiah                                – Judah will be saved; Israel will dwell in security  + There are a number of elements of Matthew’s story that can aid our spiritual growth           1 – the action of the Holy Spirit                      – or the “Spirit of God”, the “shekinah” which enables the presence of God to be born                      – that same Holy Spirit is alive and well in our lives                                – we can see it as we study our lives                                          – leading us to say “thank you” and the decision to stay connected to the life that the Spirit and Jesus dictates for us           2 – Joseph’s character                      – he realized how women were treated in his day                                – and when he discovered something punishable by public denouncement,                                          – he was not at all inclined to do that                      – Joseph tempered the letter of the law with charity                                – just because we are right doesn’t mean that we have to rub other’s faces in it           3 – Jesus’ name                      – he will save his people                      – you and I benefit from what Jesus was to do for us                                – again a thanksgiving theme should be part of our prayer                                          – and a decision to act a little more saved in the way that we go about our lives           4 – Joseph did as God said—he did God’s will                      – he carried through with that he knew God wanted him from him                      – we are called to do the same as true Christians                                – it takes time and effort on our parts to quietly discover what the Lord wants  + The stories of Jesus’ birth are full of direction for our spiritual lives if we are willing to listen closely to them. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Heaven is for Real” — final session IS HEAVEN REAL? The Gospel LUKE 12:24-28 Jesus said: “Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?”   Gospelthink: I will continue to take care of you just as I care for nature. Do I  acknowledge the Lord’s presence as often as I should?Todd Burpo and his family began to experience from others the doubt and at times ridicule of what their four-year old son Colton said he saw in heaven. His friends questioned him, a professional psychologist felt that the whole experience was nothing more than hallucinations. Further, his own Church leadership seriously doubted what all of it meant for their small church. In the sermon that Todd gave to answer the criticisms, he pointed out some basic Christian beliefs. “Was Colton in heaven?” he asked his congregation, “Yes,” he answered, “he was in heaven that God showed him. Haven’t we already seen heaven in the first cry of a baby, the hands of a friend, the hands of a nurse or doctor, the love of a mother or father. Haven’t we already had a glimpse of heaven?” Todd Burpo gave the sermon after the turmoil that his congregation had caused because of their unbelief of Colton and worry about their church survival. His sermon addressed the heart of the matter concerning the reality of heaven. It was somewhat of a defense of his son, but primarily it was a challenge, a challenge to the people of his congregation to study the love of God and the miracles that happen every day in their lives. Not unlike Jesus who spoke to the crowds about their dependence on God. Jesus no doubt performed miracles in his work with the people of his time, but he calls the attention of his audience to the constant miracles that happen every day that may not have seemed like miracles at all. Jesus points to the ways the birds live, the way the smallest things continue to happen without anyone’s help, the beauty of the flowers, and the growing of the grass. He reminds his disciples that even with those miracles of nature, God is much more interested in the miracles of human beings. In effect, he was saying that God was for real, and should it not have an effect in people’s lives?     In light of Jesus’ experience, then, Todd asks his congregation: “Is heaven real? ‘Cause if heaven is for real, we’d all lead different lives, wouldn’t we? Really? Haven’t we already seen heaven? And so often chosen the hell of hate or fear? Is heaven for real? For me, the answer is ‘yes’. I see it, so I believe it and what we believe changes what we perceive and I believe that God is love.” Ultimately, faith in the love of God is the answer. We have miracles right in front of us, all the time. Should not they lead us to love all the more?  PRAYER Good and gracious God, every day, every moment of our lives is a miracle, a statement that you are with us and always will be. May we have the grace to believe in the miracles of life, and always believe in the heaven that you promise us. Be with us, we pray. +++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Everyone who senses the love of God in the miracles of our earth will easily accept that heaven is for real.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 46 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why? 2. In the Gospel passage, Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs. He is warning that they should not be the product of too much anxious care or becoming their slave. In general, do you think that we worry too much about our lives? Yes or no and why? 3. “Worry” is truly a human problem, and may be one of the strongest emotions that we have. What can be done to lessen our worries? 4. In your opinion, what is the greatest worry of human beings? 5. What was the principal “problem” with Todd’s congregation? 6. In general, do most Christians consider the “miracles of nature” to be true miracles? Yes or no and why? 7. Do you agree with Todd in his sermon that if heaven is real, it would change people’s lives? Yes or no and why? 8. Give an example of the “hell and hate” that people have chosen. 9. Dialogue analysis: Todd’s meeting with the Church Board. Why would Colton’s story “split the Church”? 10. Dialogue analysis: Todd–“God is trying to reach out to us through Colton.” In your opinion, what was God saying to the people? 11. Dialogue analysis: The conversation in the cemetery between Nancy of the Church Board and Todd. What is most striking about the conversation? 12. Dialogue analysis: Todd answers Nancy concerning her son being in heaven by looking at the love that she had for her son. Why is this a good way to reassure Nancy? 13. Dialogue analysis: Part of Todd’s sermon includes his statement: “10,000 times I’ve been here and talked about ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ I don’t know whether I ever listened to that.” In your opinion, what is Todd’s meaning? 14. Dialogue analysis: Part of Todd’s sermon includes his statement: “Did [God] insist on my vision being the same as yours; of course not.” What is the meaning of Todd’s statement? 15. Scene analysis: The picture by Akiane Kramarik. What is most striking about Jesus’ picture? 16. What does the movie “Heaven is For Real” teach young people?