[media presentation below] GospelThink Tuesday, August 16 MATTHEW 19:23-30 It is very difficult for people who have a lot of things to think of God, and if you do, you can expect God to truly bless you. Prayerthoughts a. The Lord’s words here about the rich are extremely difficult words—a camel cannot pass through the eye of a needle—spoken no doubt in exaggeration, a means the Lord uses in order to get across an important point. I should call to my mind my savings and present moneys. Do I spend too much time making money and not enough time with my family and my God? b. The disciples know that Jesus’s statement is very difficult, asking the question of “who can be saved?” In my thinking, what are the characteristics of someone who will gain eternal life? c. Jesus says an important statement in this context—all things are possible with God. Do  I truly place my trust in God in my endeavors? d. Peter the Apostle was interested in making him and his fellow Apostles “look good” in Jesus’s eyes, professing that they were true followers of Jesus. If someone were to      accuse me of not truly following the Lord, what proof do I have that I am? e. Jesus promises promises rewards even in this life. As I study my life, what good things have been given to me? Have I been as thankful as I should be? (This is the task of the meditation.) f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will carry out letter e. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  THE RICH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD  + The rich never fare very well in the Scriptures:           – 1st: the ruler of Tyre felt that he was a god and part of it was because he had amassed riches, and so Ezekiel tells him that he will die a death unworthy of man           – Gospel: only with difficulty and the power of God, Jesus says, will the rich enter the Kingdom  + It is important for our spiritual lives that we analyze why the rich do not fare very well           – the rich do not fare well because their minds are preoccupied with other things, specifically material things that they like                      – in this Gospel passage: those who have learned to give up things, Jesus says those who can even give up—say—even family ties will receive the reward of the Kingdom  + Once again the action of giving and giving up on behalf of someone or something else is brought into our consideration           – the natural challenge for us: how well do we give up things?                      – if we are honest with ourselves, we probably do not give too easily                                – in fact, the first reading which is a condemnation of the king of Tyre could be used as description of ourselves                                          – we tend to make ourselves gods                                                    – not in a blatant way: we are much more subtle                                                               – we tend to think of ourselves as completely in charge of our lives with very little credit going to God or God’s graces                                                               – we tend to think of our accomplishments as our own, and therefore we think that we deserve the recognition, the reward, the money for doing them                                                               – we arrange our lives around what is convenient for us and often do not really think in terms of what is convenient for others  + There are a couple of very strong statements concerning our spiritual lives in our readings today:           – we must carefully consider that we could be making ourselves self-sufficient gods, and           – there is the chance that we are not learning to give up what we have                      – which can keep us from the fullness of the Kingdom of God. 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?