[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, July 10 MATTHEW 9:18-26 I touched both of the people that I healed. Prayerthoughts a. The official asked the Lord to have his daughter healed. There are some ailments that I have now. I should continue to ask the Lord for healing, but always with the understanding that the Lord will answer according to His will? b. There are often ailments and/or disabilities that I must accept because they simply cannot be cured, given our human condition. Do I accept these and still try to live well? c. The thought of “touch” is significant. Do I try to “touch,” that is get close to, the Lord every day? d. There are some people that I see often. Do I try to “touch” them and make them feel more positive about life? e. Obviously, both the official and the woman have a strong faith in Jesus. Again I should consider my faith and how strong it should be. f. Jesus cured the little girl only after he had dismissed the crowd. Perhaps the crowd was not able to understand what Jesus was doing. Often the “crowd,” other people, takes away any desire that I may have to grow in the spiritual life. Perhaps I should take some quiet time today, and determine how I can grow better in the spiritual life. g. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will read Genesis, chapter 28, and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy PEOPLE OF FAITH WILL SHOW IT + This is the evangelist Matthew’s version of a longer story that is told in the Gospel of Mark           – the passage contains two stories of strong faith                      – the faith in Jesus of the synagogue leader whom Mark calls Jairus                      – the faith of the woman who was suffering  + The book of Genesis continues the story of Jacob, here at the very beginning of Jacob’s life           – and his consecration to God, re-iterating a promise that he made to God more than once in his rather involved life           – a consecration that caused him to be a person who was totally dedicated to God  + Putting the two readings together, we are called to be people of faith as a result of our consecration to God           – we too have consecrated ourselves to God through baptism           – therefore, we are called to be people of faith                      – faith that is exemplified in the Gospel  + I see two characteristics of that faith presented in the liturgy that are important for us           – the woman who is suffering reaches out to touch Jesus’s cloak                      – a person of faith is going to make some visible sign that they believe                                – a person of faith cannot be secret in their faith                                          – it comes out in the way we interact with one another                                                    – our actions show to one another that God is important to us           – and secondly, a characteristic of faith from the official of Matthew’s story                      – he goes out of his way to find Jesus to ask him to come to his daughter                                – the person of faith will search for Jesus in prayer, spending valuable time in pursuing Jesus                                          – in that prayer, searching for who Jesus is and what he wants for us                                – that prayer should be helped by our study of Scripture, so that we learn more and more about who Jesus is and what he was all about  + Two things perhaps to remember about a person of faith who is consecrated to God:           – one, their faith will not be a secret; it will come out in their actions;           – two, they will go out of their way to find Jesus in prayer by studying about him more. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Aquaman” — beginning session CHOSEN TO LEAD The Gospel MATTHEW 16:17-19 Jesus said to Peter in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Gospelthink: I chose Peter to lead the Church. I have been chosen to be a true Christian in all that I do.

Having met quite by accident, lighthouse keeper Thomas Curry and Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis began a romantic relationship. They had a son Arthur but after an attack from Atlanna’s commandos who demanded her return to Atlantis, she finally went back promising Thomas that she would return. Arthur grew up, displaying some natural tendencies toward the ocean creatures and toward doing good after freeing some crewmen from pirates. Believing that the people of Atlantis killed his mother, Arthur was not moved to help fight against his half-brother Orm who was about to attack the surface world. But when he and his father are almost killed in an attack and after being invited by Princess Mera to join her and Prince Nereus’ followers to fight against Orm, as Aquaman, he joins the battle.

Perhaps the most important call of the leaders who would follow and help Jesus was the call of Peter. Jesus apparently recognized in Peter a quality of leadership that the other Apostles and membership of the young Christian community would recognize. As can be seen from various places throughout the Gospels, Peter’s appointment was not without difficulty since his personality often “got in the way” of what he was chosen to do. But he accepted the responsibility of being the “rock” for the new group of followers who were dedicated to Jesus. Arthur Curry, whom we know as Aquaman was also a chosen man to lead. His mother, of course, was the connection to Atlantis, and it would seem that Arthur would be the natural choice to be the king of the kingdom. As seen in the fantasy tale, it was indeed the final outcome of the adventure. But there were ups and downs throughout his ascendance to power. Gradually he came to realize that he was chosen to lead, especially after he discovered that his mother was in favor of the choice he made to be a leader. The obvious application for us who do not have the fantasy-power and life that Arthur possessed is a part of maturity defined to be the choice to lead ourselves and others. It may not consist of fighting with a trident that can ward off all danger, but it does consist of being a leader in the midst of a world in need of people who are not afraid to stand for what is right. In our world made up of so many choices and opportunities, we are called to some type of leadership, at least to better ourselves. There will always be blocks along the way, but it is part of a good life pattern to do the best that we can given the circumstances in which we live.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, Your Son chose people from his time to help with the direction of the beginnings of the church that would follow You. May we recognize that we are truly chosen to be leaders in our own environment as we try to be the type of people you want us to be. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Some people are chosen to lead others to what is good.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 67 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. What are the essential characteristics of leadership? 3. Peter’s personality sometimes blocked the way for him to be the leader he should have been. What personality blocks destroy the concept of leadership? 4. At what age should most people understand their need to be leaders? 5. In what areas can young people show that they are leaders? 6. In general, do you think that the different leaders of the nations you are aware of are doing a good job of leadership? Yes or no and why? 7. In general, what is the best way to “better ourselves”? 8. Scene analysis: Aquaman does not help David Kane to live. Should he have done something to help him. Yes or no and why? 9. Dialogue analysis: Queen Atlanna asked Aquaman whether he was afraid. After Aquaman said “yes,” she said that he was ready for leadership. Whys is fear necessary to lead?