[media presentation below] GospelThink Friday, December 22, Special Advent LUKE 1:46-56 My earthly mother knew that she was the servant of God. Prayerthoughts a. In my prayer do I proclaim sufficiently the “greatness” of God? Let me take the time right now to thank God again for all the good things that I have received. b. In my life, besides rejoicing in God my savior, I have to deal with the world. But have I allowed that world to dictate too much of the way I think? c. I must accept my “lowliness” probably a little more than I do. Do I look for praise too much from the people around me? d. Do I really believe that the Lord is working in my life, and that it is good? e. It is clear that the Lord has worked with mercy in my life. Do I work with mercy around the people who are close to me? f. There are people who are arrogant in mind and heart. Do I judge them, or pray for them? I should really think about this. g. The Lord has lifted up the lowly. Do I show enough concern for those who are down and out in the society around me?   h. The Lord has sent the rich away. I have much in my life. Do I have “too much” of the riches of the world? If I do, perhaps I should give a little away. i. The Lord continues to help me in my life as is evidenced in the things that he continues to do for me. Do I look at everything that happens to me as something for which I should be thankful? j. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will read 1 Samuel, chapter 1 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  TOTAL DEDICATION TO GOD  + The beginning of the story of Samuel in today’s first reading is more a story of Hannah his mother           – Hannah lived out what she believed                      – the Lord had given her Samuel; she felt that she had to give him back to the Lord                                – “she left him there” in the temple may be as simple a statement of profound sacrifice as we will ever hear in the Scriptures           – what she did was a statement of total dedication to God  + There are many ways to describe Mary’s Magnificat that we hear in the Gospel, but that is a pretty good one: a statement of total dedication to God           – Mary had already said “yes” to God through the angel—“Let it be done as you say”           – here she takes the “yes” and expands on it in a sense                      – her “yes” grows to include the belief of how God works  + It is good for us as spiritual people to consider the idea of total dedication to God—           1 – Mary gives God the glory                      – it is God who is great                                – God was responsible for the good things in her life and she knew it                      – for us, the application is against pride and thinking only of ourselves           2 – God rewards the poor and forgotten of society                      – one of the themes of the evangelist Luke—which is very clear in Mary’s Magnificat—is that we are called to be rather simple people                                – Mary knew that power corrupts because the powerful often lose sight of where they came from and who God is           3 – God has promised good things in life, especially redemption                      – God has been with us from the beginning of time                      – we have a God who constantly promises us and keeps promising to bring about good—which God always accomplishes in some way  + Hannah and Mary were examples of people totally dedicated to God           – that dedication came across in their actions and words           – they remain great examples for us. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Jealous” — Nick Jonas WHY WE GET JEALOUS The Gospel MATTHEW 20:20-24 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask [Jesus] for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, [this] is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers.

Gospelthink: Even my apostles had difficulty with pride and jealousy. Am I trying to control pride and jealousy in my life right now?

“I don’t like the way he’s looking at you, I’m starting to think you want him too. Am I crazy, have I lost ya? Even though I know you love me, can’t help it. Turn my cheek, music up, and I’m puffing my chest; I’m getting red in the face. You can call me obsessed. It’s not your fault that they hover. I mean no disrespect. It’s my right to be hellish. I still get jealous ‘cause you’re too sexy, beautiful, and everybody wants a taste. That’s why I still get jealous.”

The Apostles were the ones Jesus had chosen to be with him in a special way and were to take his message to the world. With such a high calling, is it possible that there could possibly be any jealousy among them? Not only was it possible, but apparently it is a fact. In a couple places in Scripture, it becomes evident that among the Apostles, there was a feeling that one or two Apostles might get more attention from Jesus than the other Apostles, and there were some “feelings” that we expressed. Such is the case when according to the evangelist Matthew, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, asked to have her sons have the highest place in the Jesus’ kingdom. Matthew uses the English word “indignant” to described the feelings of the rest of the Apostles. It probably means that there was an argument that ensued, so much so that Jesus in the following verses after this account in the Gospel must calm their anger. One of the words that might describe the situation is the word “jealousy.” Jealousy in romantic relationships is almost an “automatic.” As the couple become closer to one another with the thought of the possibility of a permanent commitment in the near future, the two involved will know that there are other possible partners among their acquaintances. They will also know that uncontrolled jealousy can ruin the relationship. Such is the subject of the song “Jealous” by Nick Jonas. The song describes the situation in which a couple could break up because of the jealousy on the part of the man. Jealousy is an evil in life. It can destroy good relationships. It is also a fact of human nature. Any time that people get together, and share a certain “closeness,” human nature runs its course, and human thinking often goes far beyond reality, imagining things that are not true. But, then again, maybe they are true. Such is the problem with jealousy. One seems to never know completely. The remedy is very easy–sincere communication. In the song, the man in the relationship is doing just that. It should lead to much better understanding of how both of them feel.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, your Son had to work with the human nature of his close friends, and sometimes it led to misunderstandings. Help me understand my own human nature a little more, and especially keep me from jealousy. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Being overly jealous can destroy a relationship. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. It is evident from the Gospel that the Apostles did not understand that what makes for greatness in the kingdom is not worldly power. In today’s world, give some examples of the misuse of power. 2. In this story in Mark’s Gospel, Mark does not have the mother ask this question, but the Apostles themselves. Why do you think Matthew used the mother to ask the question? 3. Text analysis: “My cup you will indeed drink.” What is the meaning of the sentence? 4. The song uses the word “obsessed” to describe the man’s feelings. What is the meaning of the word in the context of his jealousy? 5. If the song were a conversation which the man had with the woman, do you think that it would be enough to convince the woman of why he was jealous? Yes or no and why? 6. The song is from the man’s point of view. Do women become just as jealous as men? Yes or no and why? 7. The Gospel incident shows the humanity of the Apostles. From your knowledge of the Gospels, what are some other cases that bring out the Apostles’ humanity? 8. Give your own definition of “jealousy.” 9. The meditation makes the comment that “jealousy in romantic situations is almost an ‘automatic.'” Do you agree? Why or why not? 10. The meditation points out that the real problem with jealousy as one reflects on it in one’s own mind is that we do not really know what the truth is. In a romantic relationship, why are couples hesitant to bring up the situation of being jealous? 11. What does the song “Jealous” teach young people?