[media presentation below] GospelThink Tuesday, May 30 MARK 10:28-31 If you give up things for my sake you will be rewarded. Prayerthoughts a. Peter the Apostle was interested in making him and his fellow Apostles “look good” in Jesus’s eyes, professing that they were true followers of Jesus. If someone were to accuse me of not truly following the Lord, what proof do I have that I am? b. Jesus promises three things for those who sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. First he promises rewards even in this life. As I study my life, what good things have been given to me? Have I been as thankful as I should be? (This is the task of the meditation.) c. The Lord also promises “persecutions.” There have been difficult things in my life so far. Have I reacted to them as a Christian should, namely accepting them as the Lord’s will? d. Thirdly, the Lord promises a true follower of his that he/she will have eternal life. What  is my understanding of “eternal life” and why? e. Jesus refers to what is called the “paradox of the cross,” that is, the last will be first. Since I have been blessed with the gift of Jesus’s redemption, my life should reflect my satisfaction with the Lord. f. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will list the good things that have happened to me in my life, and thank the Lord for each one. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  “SIGNIFICANT” GIVING  + The book of Sirach contains one of the classic statements concerning stewardship:           – we must give to the Most High as he has given to us           – and the Gospel gives the so-called rewards of stewardship                      – Jesus saying to us that if we learn to give, then we will receive a hundred times as much and everlasting life besides           – so the subject of “giving” is an appropriate thought from the liturgy today + The “rewards” that Jesus mentions are very interesting to study           – because they are usually described as the rewards of religious life                      – people who have given up home and family, etc. will receive much more together with everlasting life (interesting that “persecutions” is also mentioned—namely anyone interested in giving to others will be persecuted for it)                                – but the Scriptures were not written with religious life in mind                                          – they were written with every day people in mind           – as such this passage becomes a bit of an exaggeration by Jesus, which means that everyone is called to real giving  + Peter and the apostles definitely had given up home and family, etc.           – not everyone who follows Jesus is called to go that far perhaps, but it means that everyone is called to a giving that is comparable to giving up of family and home                      – what might be called “significant” giving of time and talent and treasure on behalf of others                                – without saying what that significant giving means because it will mean different things for different people  + Following that thought, I believe that one of the virtues of spiritual living should be “generosity”           – that is, a true giving of self that reaches beyond the initial giving of ourselves to the way of life we have chosen           – it means a true “giving” in the family                      – and it has to be a giving without expecting return                                – “significant giving” should be a goal of every Christian  + You and I will be rewarded for our giving, Jesus says,           – but it has to be a real giving of ourselves. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Cool for the Summer” — Demi Lovato SCARED FOR THE RIGHT REASON The Gospel LUKE 12:4-5 [Jesus said:] “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.”

Gospelthink: You must be afraid of people who cause you to do evil things. How do I address the evil that I see around me?

“Tell me what you want, what you like. It’s okay. I’m a little curious too. Tell me if it’s wrong, if it’s right. I don’t care. I can keep a secret. Can you? Got my mind on your body, and your body on my mind. Don’t tell your mother. Kiss one another, die for each other. We’re cool for the summer. Don’t be scared ‘cause I’m your body type, just something that we wanna try, ‘cause you and I—we’re cool for the summer.”

Jesus spoke about fear often in his speech because he knew that he disturbed some people with his actions, words and ideas. He told them not to fear because he had the words that would help them in the long run. In at least one place in Scripture, however, he tells the disciples that fear is an appropriate thought when they may not be following the law of God. He tells them to fear the one who can send them into hell, namely God. Demi Lovato sings of a lady in a relationship who wants to enjoy a physical relationship in her song “Cool for the Summer.” In the process, she tells her friend that they should not be afraid–“scared”–to pursue the relationship because it would be something that they both would like. From the song, however, it seems that the man in the relationship is hesitating to make this strong a commitment. Perhaps he realizes that he is not quite ready and indeed he should be afraid because it may be too soon. What we like and what we should have are often too entirely different things. Jesus points out to the people of his time that they must fear the being that can throw them into Gehenna, that is, hell. They must fear the person who can kill the soul, and condemn it forever. It is an important lesson for us as well. The thought goes far beyond what feels good in a romantic relationship. If we are Christian in our thinking, we must be aware that what we should do at times must be a stronger desire than what we want or like. The temporary pleasure of a moment may be an emotion that we want to experience, but if it is one that “kills the soul” instead of enhancing the relationship, then it must be avoided.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, we our emotional people, and often desire a good feeling in life. Give us the grace to know the difference between what feels good and what we should be doing. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT   Theme: Perhaps we should be “scared” about what we want or like because it may not be what we should have.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What are the most “fearful” things in the world? Why? 2. What is the meaning of the “fear of God” which is part of Christian thought? 3. The lady in the song is “curious” as is the man in the relationship. In young love, people must be curious because they do not know each other. How long does it take to really know another person? 4. Text analysis: “Don’t tell your mother.” Why not? 5. Text analysis: “Cool for the Summer.” What is the meaning of the phrase? 6. Spiritual theologians remind us that God really does not send people to hell, but we do it to ourselves. Do you believe that most Christians understand this? Yes or no and why? 7. Many of the songs of our day talk or hint at a “physical relationship.” Does this have any effect on the young people who listen to the songs? 8. What is meaning of the phrase “kill the soul”?  9. What does the song  “Cool for the Summer” teach young people today?