GospelThink Thursday, June 9 MATTHEW 5:20-26 I call you to look at the anger that you show. Prayerthoughts a. Being “righteous” in Jesus’s mind has to do with much more than keeping a law.  Is my life one of true love? b. Is there anyone in my life right now with whom I am very angry? Is there any way that I can reconcile with that person? c. Is my language toward some people especially toward those I do not like too strong? How can I be more gentle? d. Jesus puts the decision to do something on me—“and you recall that your brother [or sister] has anything against you, go first and be reconciled.” I should spend some time thinking of the people like that in my life right now, and how can I say “I’m sorry.” e. There is the possibility that I am “going to the altar,” that is a church-goer, and still holding a grudge. I should spend some time thinking about that possibility. f. Jesus’s point is that I must always be working at reconciliation in my life. g. My prayerthoughts…   Today I will send someone a note or email of my appreciation of them. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  OUR ANGER  + In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus through Matthew begins his presentation of six moral principles of law with the consideration of anger           – Jesus says that the law against murder is correct, but inadequate for the level of ordinary life that people are normally involved in           – what we have to consider is the way we act around all our brothers and sisters on earth like our anger, abusive language, and the way that we can hold others in contempt  + A number of things to think about for our consideration here:           – 1 – it is no accident probably that this is the first of the six moral principles that Jesus through Matthew presents                      – holiness can only come about if love of neighbor by controlling our anger happens           – 2 – at the close of this Gospel passage on anger, Jesus through Matthew dwells on the fact that we have to go out of our way to settle with an opponent, that is, make peace                      – there are a number of people in our world who deliberately refuse to make peace with others                                – we should carefully look at our own involvement with the lack of or the bringing about of peace           – 3 – a third consideration is the incredible statement that this taking care of our anger against another—this true love of neighbor—                      – is more important than worship of God                                – a truly incredible statement                                          – the first reading dealt with Elijah’s worship of God, and quite typical of the Hebrew Scriptures                                                    – God’s presence is so exalted with Elijah that he can end a drought           – in our country, we have a number of people who go to Church                      – it is a truly gratifying action, even though there are many more who could go                                – what Jesus is saying here is that there must be a presumption that all of those people who go to Church have been reconciled with everyone else                                          – obviously an ideal, but something everyone should work toward  + The first consideration of Jesus and Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount is a consideration of our anger toward others           – it is something that must be a high priority for us to think about. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Gravity” — final session NEVER GIVE UP ON LIFE The Gospel MARK 2:1-5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”  Gospelthink: I desire you to have faith in what I can do. Am I showing enough faith in my actions throughout the day? At one particular moment as she tried to stay alive, Dr. Ryan Stone in the movie “Gravity” realized that what she thought would save her life, did not work. Even though she had determined that she would not give up, she saw no way out of her predicament. Deliberately turning down her oxygen supply, she knew that she would die by falling into a deep sleep. At the last minute, she had a vision of her fellow astronaut, Matt Kowalski who had died earlier. Asking her the vital question of whether she wanted to live or die, she began to understand that she could indeed find a way to help herself, and as she would say through the final crises that she faced, she would not quit.   Like the houses themselves, the porches to the houses in Jesus’ time were nothing elaborate. Those porches were more or less bunches of branches loosely laced together that could protect from the weather in some way. At one time, Jesus was preaching on the porch of one of his listeners. Not able to reach him, the bearers of a stretcher on whom was a paralyzed person refused to give up their task of helping the paralytic. They removed the branches and allowed Jesus to attend to the needs of the person. Jesus rewarded their persistence. Being persistent about getting close to Jesus is a relatively common thought in the Gospels. The more people thought that Jesus was close to God, the more they were determined to know him. Their cause was good, and they were committed to follow through in every way they could. Finally understanding that her life was important and that she still had the possibility of saving herself, Dr. Ryan Stone in the movie “Gravity” became committed to the life that she still possessed. As the vision of her fellow astronaut challenged her to choose either life or death, she chose to be persistent in her pursuit of life, no matter what the circumstances. When the cause is good, the Christian is called to be persistent in carrying it out. The foundation of all morality is the importance of the human person, beginning with ourselves, and extending to all people. Consequently, sustaining our lives is certainly a good cause. It calls for us to truly love the “self” we possess not in a selfish way, but with the conviction that our lives are worth our efforts. PRAYER Good and gracious God, there are times when we want to give up on life, maybe not in a physical way, but simply refuse to keep trying to be better than we are. Give us the grace to understand how important life is, and help us always to be committed to living it as best we can. Be with us, we pray.  +++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Committed people will never stop trying to sustain their own lives.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 43 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. In the Gospel, the bearers were persistent in carrying out their task. Name another place in the Gospels in which we see the virtue of “persistence.” 3.. In the spiritual life today, how do we get “close” to Jesus? 4. What can you do to help someone who threatens suicide? 5. What is the difference between true love of self and selfish love? 6. Analysis: Dr. Stone says that she never prayed in her life, but she did when she thought that her life was ended. In your opinion, do most people believe in the power of prayer? Yes or no and why? 7. Dialogue analysis: Stone says that “she’s ready.” What is the best way to prepare for our deaths? 8. Dialogue analysis: Stone says “Thank you” at the end of the movie, presumably thanking God. Do you think that she would choose to have God back in her life after the ordeal? Yes or no and why? 9. What does the movie “Gravity” teach young people?