[media presentation below] GospelThink Easter Thursday, April 13 LUKE 24:35-48 My words to the disciples are “Why are you troubled?” I am here for you. Prayerthoughts a. Jesus’s greeting of peace is an honest wish that his disciples have peace. In general, do I bring “peace” to the situations in my life? b. Jesus’s questions are referring to the feelings of the disciples, but they are good questions for us as well. What is it that troubles me the most? Why?   c. Jesus proves that he is indeed alive and present by telling his disciples to touch him and asking for something to eat. How is it evident that Jesus is part of my life? d. Jesus opened their minds to make them understand the Scriptures about him. Have I   made the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, as much a part of my spiritual life as they should be? What should I do about it? e. Jesus calls the disciples witnesses of his Resurrection. Studying my week so far, have I   witnessed that Jesus has redeemed me? f. My prayerthoughts….   Today, I will read the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 3 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  SHALOM  + Shalom in Hebrew means not only peace, but an idea of being complete          – Jesus saying that now that he is risen, peace is given to the disciples,                   – therefore us—that is completeness, a certain finality to our lives is given to us  + Using that idea of completeness, we can look at the thought of being a witness which is present in both readings          – being a witness means being a person who sees an event take place                   – we are called to be witnesses of Jesus and that will bring about a certain completeness in our lives—certainly true of us because of our calling as Christians—we are called to be thoroughly Christ-like in the way we behave  + What are we witnesses to?          1st: Peter and John were witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus                   – enabling the people of Israel to repent and us to turn away from their/our evil ways                            – and if we do that well, it will bring peace, completeness           2nd: same idea—the apostles (we) are witnesses of the Resurrection, and same conclusion—to bring about repentance for the forgiveness of sins—and something more—that we must preach                   – applying directly to all of us each in our own way                            – begins from Jerusalem (center of Luke’s theology) + You put that all together, and I think the message of the readings to us today is this:          – Jesus wishes us peace, completeness in our lives                   – which will come if we learn to be witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus                            1 — which will bring about the thought of addressing in our hearts any evil which may creep in                            2 –- which will move us to be preachers of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in our own particular way to those around us  + Truly Jesus wishes Shalom to all of us! MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “The Passion of the Christ” — beginning session JESUS’S PASSION I The Gospel MARK 14:32-72 They came to a place named Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James and John and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.  Remain here and keep watch.” He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”    Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes and the elders….He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear….They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together….      Peter was below in the courtyard; one of the high priest’s maids came along…and said “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it….Then Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.

Gospelthink: I should spend some time thinking about the denials of Judas and Peter.

Director Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ” has been called one of the most moving movies of all time. It is moving because of the subject matter. Christians cannot help but be interested in a film about their leader. This movie is that and much more. Some critics have called it the most violent film they have ever seen. It is clear that Mel Gibson wanted to make graphic and inescapable the price that Jesus paid when he died for our sins, as Christians believe he did. But the movie is also a commentary about the feelings of Jesus and his mother Mary. The first part of the passion of Jesus is portrayed during this session of the movie that includes: the agony in the Garden, the betrayal by Judas, the initial feelings of Jesus’ Mother Mary, the dream of Pontius Pilate’s wife, the interrogation by the chief priests, the betrayal of Peter, the death of Judas, and the first visit to Pilate.

During one of the scenes of the first part of the movie “The Passion of the Christ,” Jesus’ mother Mary senses where Jesus is being kept overnight by his captors. Jesus is in chains. Mary goes to him in love wanting with all her heart to help him if she possibly can. As Mary, we may not be able to help Jesus as he suffered years ago, but we can be aware of what he wanted to do, and reflecting on it, both thank him, and be more willing to follow him as our Savior.

THOUGHT What should Jesus’ passion and death mean to you personally? PRAYER Good and gracious God, your Son suffered in a violent way for us. As we think of his passion and death, our attitude should be that of his friends and especially his mother. Give us the inspiration to love you all the more, and the desire to follow your Son better than we are now. Be with us, we pray.