[media presentation below] GospelThink Saturday, April 1 JOHN 11:45-56 I made enemies during my lifetime because of my teaching. Prayerthoughts a. Some believed in Jesus; some did not; obviously, I believe in Him. Do I show it enough in my life? b. A good question for our lives: “What are we going to do?” Given what I know about the Christian way, what is the most important change I  should make in my life? c. John the evangelist gives a “commentary” about Jesus’s actions, that Jesus died for the nation to gather everyone into one people. John’s view gives to us the challenge to try to be united as one people. Do I find myself excluding anyone in my thoughts and actions? d. We know that we would never plot to “kill” Jesus as His enemies did. But we may “kill” the reputation of others when we hurt them by talking about them, etc. Perhaps we ought to take some time to think of how we treat others whom Jesus told us are “Him.” e. Jesus spent some time away from the crowd with his disciples, presumably teaching them about his teachings. In my opinion what are the three most important things that Jesus taught and why? (This is the task of the meditation.) f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will carry out letter e. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?  + The Gospel presents an interesting question          – the chief priests and the Pharisees are wondering what to do about this Jesus who was performing all kinds of signs                   – the question was: what are we going to do?                            – some asked the question out of legitimate concern—they really did feel that this Jesus was going to cause too much of a stir and the Romans would react accordingly                            – some asked it, I’m sure, out of jealousy and the desire to have the power that Jesus had  + We know the ending of the story, of course          – and we know that the chief priests and Pharisees went on to do exactly what Caiaphas suggested—to sacrifice Jesus          – but some good personal meditation time can be spent with that question: what are we going to do?                   – as we strive to be stronger in our spiritual lives, what are we going to do given what Jesus has done and said                            – how are we going to act as a result of our friendship and acceptance of Jesus into our lives?  + Obviously, we would not act as the chief priests and Pharisees did in the Gospel          – we would not sacrifice Jesus, give him over to torment because of our jealousy of him          – but this liturgy presents some interesting answers of what we should do and should not do as we ask the question, “what are we going to do about Jesus in our lives?” + What we should do can be taken from the first reading from the prophet Ezechiel          – we should act like the people that God has chosen                   – Ezechiel prophesies that the chosen race will be God’s people                            – there were difficulties with the Israelite people carrying through on such a promise,                                     – but there are difficulties with our promise as well—if we are going to be God’s people, our actions should take on the characteristics of such a promise                                              – true love of God, but especially true love of others, as evidenced in the way we act toward all, especially family members and those close to us  + What we should not do is given by the actions of the chief priests and Pharisees in the Gospel          – even if they were sincere in sacrificing Jesus for the sake of their state of life                   – they should never have treated Jesus the way they did                            – there must be always a sincere respect for another person, no matter whether one agrees with that person or not                                     – it was lacking in Jesus’ time among the religious leaders                                              – that respect is still lacking as we deal with people of different religions and different beliefs from ours                                                       – we must have respect for others  + What do we do about the fact that Jesus is part of our lives?          – that is a good question to think about. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Adore You” — Harry Styles A STRAWBERRY LIPSTICK STATE OF MIND The Gospel JOHN 12:1-3 Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Gospelthink: Jesus’ friend Mary expressed her love of Jesus by action. Do I show my love of God by the actions of my life?

“Walk in your rainbow paradise, strawberry lipstick state of mind. I get so lost inside your eyes. Would you believe it? You don’t have to say you love me, you don’t have to say nothing. You don’t have to say you’re mine. Honey, I’d walk through fire for you. Just let me adore you.”

How ever we describe a “strawberry lipstick state of mind,” there is little doubt that it describes a situation of a deep feeling of love. As Harry Styles describes it in his song “Adore You,” it is a feeling that one could walk through fire for the other, that he would get lost in the eyes of the other. And therefore lead to near “adoration” of the other. It is not unlike a situation that Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus felt toward Jesus during one of his visits with them. In another place in Scripture, Mary is described as a person who liked to listen to what Jesus had to say. Using the words of Harry Styles’ song, she was simply “adoring” this person who did so much for her family and for their world. The remark that John the evangelist makes about the house being filled with the aroma of the oil is probably a description of the good feeling that everyone in the house experienced as a result of the adoration that Mary gave to Jesus. The song “Adore You” is of course, a love song that captures the feelings of the man in love with his girlfriend. In the course of the song, however, he says some things that love counselors would question. He sings that the other person does not have to say that she loves him, that she does not have to say anything, that her reciprocal love of him does not have to be expressed in any way.. Indeed, the good feelings of love cannot be denied in a love relationship. The feelings are very deep and seem to acquire the the attitude of permanence, that it will always be that way. But feelings are often fickle. The counselors of our world who work with preparation for permanent love will say just the opposite of what Harry Styles sings. That which will make the feelings of love so rich is the mutual respect that each of the couples makes. That respect only comes about by mutual sharing of the feelings that each has, and mutual discussion of why they feel that way. As one experiences love, it may seem like all one needs is a “strawberry lipstick state of mind,” that is, the feeling that everything in the relationship is true love. But those feelings must be stated to one another at some time. There is a reason why lack of communication is the principal cause of love breakdown even though the feelings of love may be present.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, You have blessed us with the ability to feel romantic love. Help us go beyond simply feeling good for another, and learn to speak about those feelings and why we feel that way. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDELINES FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: In romantic love, we must truly love the other, but we have to develop that love well. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What does the song “Adore You” teach young people? 2. The Gospel passage pictures a “family gathering.” In your opinion, why would Jesus encourage such family gatherings? 3. The anointing is a sign of true affection for Jesus. In our lives today, how can we show “true affection for Jesus”? 4. What virtues are present when two people are deeply in love with one another? 5. Why is “communication” so necessary in a love relationship? 6. Give some examples of “fickle” feelings. 7. Besides “lack of communication,” what are some other causes that destroy permanent love?