[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, March 6 LUKE 6:36-38 If you are merciful, not judging, not condemning and forgiving,  I will give you everything you need. Prayerthoughts a. When there is a need for mercy in any relationship, do I find myself offering it as much as I should? b. Do I find myself judging any particular situation? Perhaps I should pray for that situation rather than judge it. c. Do I find myself condemning people or situations in my world? Again, perhaps I should pray for the people or situations involved. d. Have I completely forgiven people the way I should, including everyone? e. Have I learned to give to others as much as I should, or do I hold back too much? f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will read Daniel, chapter 9 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy GIVE TO OTHERS  + This is a difficult Gospel           – it is part of what is called the “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke’s Gospel and if one takes the Gospel as the words say, it is so difficult and radical that it is like a different plane of living           – but Jesus is very clear—we can argue what are Jesus’ actual words                      – but there is no doubt that Jesus was responsible for these ideas                                – if we are going to follow him, we will have to follow his directives                                          – stop judging others and forgive everyone                                – because, as Jesus says,           …the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.                      – it involves thinking, the words we say, and doing—Jesus is saying in effect, purify your every intention  + As we think of Jesus’ words and recognize Daniel’s prayer in the first reading that the Lord is full of compassion and forgiveness, even though they had sinned,           – it is important to see the ultimate reason that the Lord was full of compassion and forgiveness toward the Israelite people                      – and what is the basis of the difficult words of Jesus here                                – I believe that it is Jesus’ idea of giving                      – Jesus says it in the Gospel:           Give and gifts will be given to you.                      – God continues to give to us;                      – “giving to others” more than any concept captures the reality of Jesus’ moral doctrine                                – it is the essential ingredient of love  + Because giving is such an essential concept of Christianity, it must be what guides the Christian way of life           – it is what you and I as Catholics have heard presented over the past couple of years as stewardship—giving back to God for what God has given to us  + The next step will automatically follow, namely, that we give back to God           – and the question is: how do we do that?                      – we give back to God by our service to other human beings                                – leading us again to the absolute Christian importance of giving of ourselves on behalf of others           – Jesus says to give to others, and if we do, we will both truly love them, and give back to God at the same time. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Jurassic World” — final session ALL OF GOD’S CREATURES The Gospel LUKE 12:22-24 Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds!”

Gospelthink: God takes care of you in every way. Do I always acknowledge the good that God has done for me?

The new Jurassic World theme park in the movie named after it had been open to the public for a number of years. One of the primary thoughts running through the movie is the respect for and/or disrespect for the animals that had been created or manufactured by the inventors of the Park. In fact, Owen Grady, a veteran of the United States Navy had been employed to care for the different dinosaurs that were in the park. He managed to have a rapport with the animals under his care. He was even able to train (as much as they could be trained) Velocirapters to follow his directions. One can sense his respect for the creatures, even though they remained extremely dangerous. Likewise he was able to sense exactly what would happen if a dinosaur known as Indominus Rex, even bigger than the T Rex, was invented.

Respect for animals does not specifically appear in the Gospels, although Jesus evidently had to be around animals during his time with us on earth. He took part in Temple services, prayed the Hebrew Scriptures which are full of animal references, he rode donkeys, and he used animals in his stories. In one place, as he was speaking about the care that God has for us, Jesus considers the birds and ravens that were part of his culture. He obviously had a respect for animals since he worked with them much of his time on earth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to respect of animals with the straightforward statement that “Animals are God’s creatures.” God surrounds them with providential care. By their mere existence they bless God and give God glory. Thus men owe them kindness (number 2416). The fact is that animals are a bridge of sorts to human beings. If we are kind to animals, we should generally speaking be kind to people. As Jesus mentions when he speaks of birds and ravens, God cares for them, but we are so much more important than birds. As a result of God’s care for animals we should be learning that God also cares for us, and in turn we should be caring for others–animals and humans. Owen Grady cared for the animals under his care, even the very dangerous ones, treating them with the respect they deserved. As a result, he could understand the respect that he had to have for human beings as well. We are all God’s creatures; we must give our respect to every living creation of God.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, You have given us the directive to honor and respect all creatures, even animals who do not have reasoning power. Give us the grace to show the deepest respect for every creature that You have made. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: One of the virtues that a Christian must show is a respect for all creatures, even animals.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 60 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. In the Gospel passage, Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs. He is warning that they should not be the product of too much anxious care or becoming their slave. In general, do you think that we worry too much about our lives? Yes or no and why? 3. “Worry” is truly a human problem, and may be one of the strongest emotions that we have. What can be done to lessen our worries? 4. In your opinion, what is the greatest worry of human beings? 5. Do you agree with the meditation that Jesus had to have a respect for animals? Yes or no and why? 6. How do animals “bless God” and “give God glory”? 7. Do you agree that most of the time kindness to animals leads to kindness of people? Yes or no and why? 8. In what way does God care for us? 9. Sometimes, we must kill animals, as in the movie. Is this showing disrespect for them? Yes or no and why? (See Catechism, number 2415.) 10. Scene analysis: Owen is forced to use Hoskins’ plan and send the Velocirapters after Indominus Rex. In your opinion, should Owen have agreed to do it? Yes or no and why? 11. Scene analysis: the dinosaurs communicate with each other. In your opinion, can animals communicate with each other? With human beings? Why or why not? 12. Scene analysis: the dinosaurs fight with each other. Do you think that generally speaking it is wrong to force animals to fight one another? Why or why not? 13. Analysis: What effect would the events of the movie have on the people who were visiting at the Park? 14. What does the movie “Jurassic World” teach young people?