[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, January 29 MARK 5:1-20 I control all evil, and after I cast out “legion,” I told him to stay home with his family. Prayerthoughts a. A “man from the tombs,” There are many who are “outcast” in our world in one way or another. In general, should I treat them better than I am? b. The man was obviously in pain. What can I do to alleviate some of the pain of the people that I thought of in letter a? c. The demon addresses Jesus as God. Sometimes “evil” is caused by people who think    they are close to God. Is there some evil in my life that I have not tried to conquer? d. The man called himself “Legion” because there were many evils that affected him. What are the evils in my life right now? What should I do about them? e. “Swine” were unclean according to Jewish Law. Therefore, to the Jewish mind, the   “swine” were not important and could be destroyed. Should I have a better attitude toward other religions? f. “They were seized with fear.” What are the most fearful things in my life at the present time and what can I do about it? (This is the task of the meditation.) g. Why do you think the people begged Jesus to leave their district? h. Jesus does not allow the cured man to follow him as the Apostles did. Instead, Jesus    tells him to “go home and to your family.” Why is this a significant statement for the follower of Jesus today? i. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will determine the answer to letter f. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  “SOMETHING BETTER”  + The Gospel is the familiar story of a demon-possession of a man           – there are the expected elements in it:                      – Jesus encounters evil/devil                      – evil trying to control Jesus                      – amazement of the people           – but unique elements in it as well:                      – multiple possession: the name “Legion”                      – swine—almost a humorous part of the story                                – Jewish people felt pigs were unclean/ultimate destruction of them                      – the destruction itself: one of two times that Jesus used his power for destruction (the other was the fig tree)                      – the directive that the man go home to his family rather than follow Jesus directly           – ultimately it is a story of the power of God through Jesus                      – Jesus controls the forces of evil (storm before) and the power of Satan in particular (here)  + It is all part of the “something better” that the letter to the Hebrews speaks of           – the “something better” being our redemption and subsequent following of Jesus                      – that “something better” was prefigured in the faith of the people of the Hebrew Scriptures  + As Christians, we are part of the “something better” which we know as Jesus’ redemption and his subsequent action in our lives           – that “something better” we have accepted and agreed to                      – the question of the liturgy is the reminder: how well are we carrying through with the “something better” of Jesus?                                – that includes especially the thought of love, for example                                          – as contained in 1 Corinthians 13                                          – or caring for others   + Part of that “something better” might include the final statement of Jesus to the possessed man-now saved:           – he was going to follow him in a more total way of giving up family                      – and Jesus’ directive is to stay with his family                                – that could easily lead to a meditation about our families                                          – the question of ourselves about our family and our own involvement with them                                                    – is it what could be categorized as Christian?  + We see Jesus’ power, and we believe that he is the “something better” in our living – the question is: are we carrying through with that “something better” as well as we could. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “The Help” — final session COURAGE TO SAY THE TRUTH The Gospel MATTHEW 16:21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Gospelthink: I wanted my disciples to know exactly what would happen to me–I would die and be raised. Jesus speaks of my redemption. Am I as grateful as I should be?

One of the facts of history is that it takes courage to bring about change for the good. When a person undertakes it, he/she can expect rejection, anger and the possibility of death. No one likes to be told that they are wrong, and if they have authority at the time they are told, they will not accept the possibility of change easily. In the movie, “The Help,” as Skeeter Phelan interviewed Aibeleen Clark and Minny Jackson about the treatment the black maids received in Jackson, Mississippi, all three understood one thing–they were disturbing the status quo. And such a disturbance could hurt them. Skeeter could be shunned by her friends; Aibeleen and Minny could lose their livelihoods. It took real courage to write about the truth, but they were convinced that it was the right thing to do, no matter what might happen to them.

What is the right thing to do? What would God want me to do in this situation? These are common enough questions when some difficult decision is about to be made by a dedicated Christian. The questions become more poignant when a person’s livelihood depends on it. Jesus knew what the city of Jerusalem would mean for him. He knew that his human life as he had lived it up to that time would be completely changed. But he also knew that it was what was right. If he was to accomplish what he wanted, he had to go to Jerusalem. His was truly a courageous decision, but more than anything else, he knew that if he wanted to be true to himself and his cause, he had to do it. In a sermon that Aibeleen Clark had listened to earlier in the movie “The Help,” the minister had encouraged his black community to show courage, to work for what was right. When she listened to it, Aibeleen did not yet understand that she would have the opportunity to show it in a striking way. Skeeter Phelan, fresh from the university, did not completely understand what she wanted to do in her young life. Minny Jackson and the other black maids were aware that they could change things, but they were afraid to do it. Then Aibeleen with Skeeter’s help was brave enough to say what was right. Aibeleen, Skeeter and Minny gradually came to the knowledge of what was the right thing to do. They knew that it would “shake the system” and it might even mean the loss of their jobs, but they refused to back down. It is almost a cliché to say that we should do what is right. Many people have said it in various situations and in various ways. It remains an important directive for living well. Every one of us should have the courage to say and do what is right. If we do not, our lives will be lacking, and our world will not be as good as it could be.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, your Son had the courage to carry out what he knew to be right and true. He gives us a tremendous example as we go about our lives which could be so much better if every one did what is right. Give us the grace to imitate him. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: We must have the courage to do what is right.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 68 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. In he Gospel, Jesus shows determination to do what he thinks is best for him. In general, what should people be most determined to do as they live in today’s world? 3. The human Jesus realized that suffering was going to be part of his life in the very near future. What is the best way to work with the suffering that human beings may have to endure in their lives? 4. As one looks at how he/she should behave in the world, what is the fundamental “right” thing that people should do? Why did you choose the way you did? 5. What is the best way to determine what God wants us to do? 6. What is your definition of courage? 7. In what areas will a true Christian show courage in today’s world? 8. In our world today, what are some instances in which a person would lose his/her job if people would do the “right” thing? 9. Who are the most “courageous” people in today’s world? 10. Scene analysis: the women shun Celia. What would you do if you were Celia? 11. Scene analysis: Elizabeth slaps Mae Mobley. What is the best discipline for a young child? 12. Scene analysis: The women talk about their sexual actions when they were in high school. Do you think that high school young people are too free with sexuality in their lives today? Yes or no and why? 13. Analysis: Hilly’s mother is angry at Hilly because Hilly placed her in a home. What is the best way for children to treat their parents when they are old? 14. Scene analysis: Skeeter talks to her mother about their former maid Constantine. What should her mother have done once she realized that she was wrong? 15. Scene analysis: Minny leaves her abusive husband. What are the possible ways to help a family who has this problem? 16. Scene analysis: Skeeter’s mom understands what her daughter has done, telling her that she is proud of her for her courage. Why do more parents not show more appreciation to their grown children? 17. Dialogue analysis: Aibeleen to Hilly: “You are a godless woman.” Who are the “godless” people in today’s world? 18. Dialogue analysis: Aibeleen says at the end of the movie that in order to love your enemies, you have to first of all know the truth. Why is this a true statement? 19. What does the movie “The Help” teach young people?