[media presentation below] GospelThink Wednesday, March 1 LUKE 11:29-32 I remind you about Jonah and Solomon because I want you to reform any wrong that you are doing. Prayerthoughts a. People wanted a sign from Jesus that he was God even though he did so many things that proved it. Am I a sign that Jesus is God by the way I act, think and my words? b. Jesus points out the story of Jonah, the part where he finally did do what God wanted him to do, and the people turned to repentance. Do I frequently ask for forgiveness of my sins and faults and want to do something about them? c. Jesus also refers to the Queen of Sheba in first book of Kings. She found the wisdom of Solomon amazing. Do I seek the wisdom of Jesus’s teachings in everything that I do? d. Jesus points out that he is greater than Jonah or Solomon. As I consider the people and things that are influential in my life, do I place Jesus as my principal influence? e. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will read 1 Kings, chapter 10 and Jonah, chapter 3 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy THE FOUR STEPS OF REFORM  + The story of Jonah is an interesting one:           – running away from God / fish / finally does what God asks (1st reading) / complains afterwards and the book ends with us not knowing whether he became good or bad                      – Jesus picks out the good part—where Jonah preaches and Ninevites change their ways, reform after listening to Jonah                      – Jesus also picks out a story from 1 Kings—the queen of Sheba listening to the wisdom of Solomon (and presumably changing her ways)  + The obvious conclusion from what Jesus said           – because you have a greater than Solomon and Jonah here, you ought to be listening to what Jesus says                      – and change your ways, reform  + That thought of reform is an important one to dwell on for anyone wishing to develop a deeper spiritual life           – it means four things, I believe, as one analyzes it                      – it involves:                      1 – admitting that we are already formed by something                                – that something may not be completely right, probably having something to do with our selfishness                      2 – admitting that we need a change                                – once the Ninevites and the queen of Sheba knew what was going on, they had to admit that they needed something                                          – to admit the problem exists is half the battle, so to speak                                                    – because we are saying: this is true, I really do need a change in my life                      3 – truly listening to Jesus, he who forms                                – again the importance of reading Scripture is stressed                                          – the person interested in the spiritual life must know what Jesus is saying                      4 – re-forming                                – doing the actions that are necessary to do the reforming                                – actually carrying through personally within the context of the world we live in what we know must be reformed  + Those four steps and everything they mean is good meditation for us during Lent as we try to improve our spiritual lives. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Captain Phillips” — beginning session WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS The Gospel LUKE 9:22 [Jesus] said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Gospelthink: I predict my death and my rising. How am I prepared for my own death?

Based on a true story, the movie “Captain Phillips” is the story of an ordinary captain of an unarmed container ship who is attacked by Somalian pirates. The pirates were motivated by their “bosses” who promised them money for carrying out the capture of the ship. They were to hold the ship “captive” until the pirates received the necessary money obtaining the ship’s and crew’s release. Captain Phillips was skilled in maneuvering the ship to avoid the attack at first, but eventually the Somalian pirates took the ship and its crew as hostages. Captain Phillips attempted to “buy” the pirates out, but was unable to do so and the pirates took the captain as a personal hostage.

Captain Richard Phillips in the movie named after him was a courageous man. He wanted his ship and crew to be prepared for the possibility of modern day pirates, but he was not looking to be a hero. When his ship actually was attacked, he was somewhat prepared for what might happen, but certainly not completely. He showed his courage in trying to protect his men, but especially in what he did not expect to happen. The human Jesus was likewise a courageous man. As he worked in his public life, it became evident that much of what was to happen to him was not going to be pleasant, and certainly not want he wanted. But courageous men do not pick and choose where they want their courage to show. They must be prepared for the unexpected. Jesus looked at his rather uncertain future, and although he might end up well–“be raised” from death, as he said–the dominating fact of his future was one that he had not planned. But he embraced it with courage. Studying Jesus’ courage and indeed the courage of Captain Richard Phillips, one can sort out a definition of the virtue. It can be described as a form of tenaciousness, a refusal to quit even if one is tired or hurt or humiliated or emotionally broken. But perhaps most of all, the virtue of courage is the ability to face what life throws in our paths unexpectantly, working with it in the best possible way. We are courageous in so far as we accept what happens to us, and truly make it something we can live with, no matter what the circumstances.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, your Son was a great example of the courage we must have as your followers. Give us the grace to accept the problems of life in a courageous way. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: The virtue of courage is made manifest when there are unexpected problems.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 62 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why? 2. In the 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.  What is your definition of “courage”? 5. What does it mean to be a “hero” in an ordinary sense of the term? 6. Analysis: “Courageous men do not pick and choose where they want their courage to show.” Give an instance from history where this statement is true. 7. When especially is the “unexpected” difficult? 8. Why was the ship unarmed in your opinion? 9. Analysis: Captain Phillips is a pretty demanding captain. What are the best qualities of leadership in your opinion? 10. Analysis: There is dissension among the Somalis. Ultimately, what was the reason for this? 11. Dialogue analysis: “I am the captain; shoot me.” It is a statement of courage. What are the most courageous acts that you are aware of? 12.  Analysis: Ultimately, the reason for the attack was for ransom or money. What is the principal reason why money is recognized by religious leaders to be a major drawback in life? 13. Scene analysis: the pirates threaten to kill one of the crewmen. It may be the most frightening scene in the movie. Why? What would you feel like?