[media presentation below] GospelThink Saturday, July 9 MATTHEW 10:24-33 I again warn my disciples and you that you may be persecuted. Remember that I am with you. Prayerthoughts a. Once again Jesus introduces the idea that evil can enter into our lives. What do I consider evil in this world, and does it have any hold on me? b. The Lord tells us that we need not be afraid of that evil, that we can proclaim the coming  of the Kingdom with no fear. In my own way, am I proclaiming the Kingdom by my thoughts, words and actions? c. What I must fear, Jesus says, are the things that can destroy body and soul. What are the things in this life that can destroy the soul? Am I close to any of them? d. The Lord tells me that I need to fear nothing because just as sparrows, he will take care of us. Do I believe with all my heart and soul that the Lord has my back? e. I have acknowledged the Lord by my life, and therefore I have the confidence of having    the Lord as my witness. f. I should take the time to pray for everyone to acknowledge the Lord in some way in their lives. g. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will visit a church or spend time by myself and pray especially for those who have not chosen a Higher Power. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  DO NOT BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING  + The liturgy of the Church does an interesting thing with the first reading today          – all of next week, the first reading will be from the prophet Isaiah                   – and the first reading today anticipates the great prophet Isaiah with the statement of his call from God                            – it is Hebrew Scripture’s way of saying that God is truly in charge of our lives as God was in Isaiah’s case  + Even though God is in charge          – it does not mean that we are going to like everything that happens to us                   – God writes straight with crooked lines, and we are often caught up in the crooked lines                            – Isaiah had many problems that he had to work with in his ministry                                     – so many of the things that we like and want are not going to be happen the way we want  + Jesus anticipated that with his missionary Apostles as he sent them out into the world two by two          – he tells them that there will be people who will intimidate them, that there will be people out to take their lives, that people will want to destroy their bodies and souls          – Jesus tells them not to worry about them                   – and gives an often quoted Scripture passage that speaks total trust in God                            – God knows what is happening, even in the lives of the smallest sparrows that live and die on the earth                                     – and he counsels his Apostles: do not be afraid of anything  + It is such a simple doctrine: God is going to take care of everything          – so allow that to happen, and don’t be anxious about it                   – the presumption, as we said yesterday, is that we are doing what we are called to do                            – in the context of this Gospel reading, the Apostles were supposed to be doing the preaching of the Kingdom                                     – and as they were doing that, no matter what happened, they were to realize that God was going to take care of everything  + The conclusion is the same as yesterday:          – as you and I go about our assigned task, whatever that may be                   – including living out our lives with family                   – discovering what our future vocation may be                   – making money in order to live          – we have to allow God to work                   – to adjust to the challenges that God sends and enjoy the gifts that God has given to us  + Indeed, God means everything that happens for the good          – and if we understand that in our lives, we will understand the Christian message. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “The Black Panther” — beginning session A SINCERE AND HONEST LEADER The Gospel MATTHEW 23:29-36 Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out! You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you flee from the judgment of Gehenna? Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that there may come upon you all the righteous bloodshed upon earth, from the righteous blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Amen, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”

Gospelthink: I was very critical of the religious leaders of my day because they were hypocrites. In my life, do I find that I am contradictory in the way I behave?

The disguised technology-advanced third world country Wakanda was satisfied with their isolationist policy. They had discovered vibranium in their country, the use of which advanced their country far beyond any place else in the world. Knowing the power of vibranium, N’Jobu wanted to use it to empower the black people of the world. He employed black marketer Ulysses Klaue to steal some vibranium. When N’Jobu’s brother King T’Chaka learned of his treachery, he was forced to kill his brother in order to prevent it from happening. However, N’Jobu’s son Erik or “Killmonger” continued where his father left off. While T’Challa took over as King and therefore “The Black Panther,” “Killmonger” not only wanted the black people to conquer the world, by the use of vibranium, but he wanted to rule as king and the new “The Black Panther.”

Why did Jesus have such a difficult time with the scribes and Pharisees of his time? Simply put, they were claiming to be something they were not. They were pretending to be consecrated men who were involved in guiding the Hebrew people to holiness, and they were nothing more than vipers–snakes–who at best were false teachers, and at worst, were murderers. They had a insatiable desire for power and were people who for the most part were seeking revenge on Jesus because of Jesus’ popularity.  Jesus wanted sincerity and honesty among religious leaders. The King of Wakanda, the “Black Panther” had to be a person of sincerity and honesty as he ruled the people of Wakanda. King T’Challa had chosen a life-style for his country that was principally a peaceful one.  His isolationist policy was a way of protecting his people and keeping away from the politics of the world.  Some people disagreed with it.  One of them, Erik or “Killmonger” was anxious to take revenge on the people who had hurt the black people of the world.  He wanted revenge, and with the use of vibranium, would be able to do it while making himself king. The job of being a leader implies that he/she will work toward sincerity and honesty. There are many who disagree with the leader, many of whom simply desire any popularity that the leader has.  Sometimes they will do everything in their power to make the leader look bad or evil.   We may not be leaders in the sense of directing a country, but we are all leaders in our own way.  We exist in a world that needs honest and sincere leaders, people who want to show such honesty and sincerity to those around them. There will be opposition in the sense that people will seek any power they can accrue.  As long as we remain true to our good goals, we can be the leaders that we are called to be.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, You desire us to be leaders in the way we live our lives. Your Son Jesus was such a leader when He was here on earth, but met opposition from his enemies. Give us the grace to remain sincere and honest even though there may be evil people who want to destroy our harmony. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: When the desire for power and revenge are coupled together, evil will be present.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 62 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why? 2.In general, do you agree that countries should share their technology with others? Yes or no and why? 3. Dialogue analysis: T’Chaka: “You’re a good man with a good heart.  And it’s hard for a good man to be king.” Why is this a true statement for people in authority? 4. Generally speaking, are most religious leaders of our time sincere and honest? 4. What can be done about the prejudice in our world? 5. Give an example of a national leader who has been made into an evil person when he/she is not evil at all. 6. What are the characteristics of a good leader?