[media presentation below] GospelThink Wednesday, July 13 MATTHEW 10:7-15 I tell you how to “journey” in this world. Prayerthoughts a. Obviously, I cannot heal the sick in my acquaintance. But do I show signs of personal concern—a card, a visit, etc.—to the people that I know who are ill? b. The Lord tells me that I am to give without concern for cost, that is, to give without expecting anything in return. In my giving to others, what is my motivation? c. Jesus wanted his Apostles to travel “lite” because he did not want material things to hold back the message that they were to preach. As I live in the world, are there material things that are holding me back from God’s presence? d. Jesus realizes that the Apostles will face rejection, and rather than talk against those who rejected them or threaten them, he tells them simply to shake the dust from their feet, or in other words, just leave and go to the next situation. Often I cannot do that—I  would rather seek out some type of revenge. What is the area in my life where I am most prone to revenge? e. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will write a prayer for all missionaries in our world. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  GIVING TO OTHERS  + The story of Joseph continues in the first reading today           – Judah explains to Joseph the whole story of how they got down to Egypt without Judah knowing who he was talking to           – Joseph finally broke down and told his brothers who he was                      – and Joseph makes the statement that was indicative of how God works with difficult situations:                                It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.                                          – that is, God always directs things for the better  + In fact, God through Jesus continues to direct our redemption           – in the Gospel, Matthew continues to speak what has been called the “missionary discourse”/ sermon                      – announce to the Israelites, Jesus says, that they must take part in the kingdom of God                                – the secret of the spiritual life—accepting the kingdom of God  + What is important as we accept that kingdom is the way we are to behave on the journey           – the Apostles are given tremendous power—           …cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons…           – what would we do with that power?                      – what would we do if we had the power to do anything we want?           – what the Apostles are to do, as Jesus sees it, as sort of a conclusion to all the power they have, according to Jesus is to…..give:           Without cost you are to give.                      – give to others, make their lives better                                – in fact, Jesus says, take nothing for your owninterests                                          – do it all for others: that is to be your one concentration           – and even if they don’t listen to you                      – don’t call down fire and brimstone                                – although we’re led to believe that they could have                      – he simply says: leave and let God take care of it  + One of the gifts of the spiritual life that we are called to           – is that of giving, being generous to others           – as we try to become closer to the Lord,                      – we have to learn the art of giving to other people. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: ‘The Adjustment Bureau” — beginning session ALL WILL KNOW The Gospel JOHN 13:34-35 Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Gospelthink: I give you “my” commandment to love. Do I love everyone as I should?

The movie “The Adjustment Bureau” is a love story in a fantasy setting. From the very beginning of the movie when David Norris met Elise Sellas, one knew that there was a romantic bond between the two of them. Theirs was real love because it was something that occupied their everyday thinking, leading them eventually to being together. The fantasy part of the movie comes into play with the knowledge that there is a group of people known as “The Adjustment Bureau” who do not want them together. The members of the Bureau know the future and they know that David and Elise’s love relationship will ruin their chances for a profitable future for both of them, especially for David whose future includes being President of the United States. Throughout the movie, the guiding thought is that the love that David and Elise have for each other will indeed change their future together, but that it will be what they choose and not the Bureau.

The thought of love changing the lifestyle of people is the fundamental thought of Christianity. Jesus meant that his idea of love should change the people who would follow him. When Jesus gave his commandments of love, he told his disciples that such love was how everyone will know that they were his followers. If love is in place, everything else will be different and people will notice. One cannot love and then have nothing happen. Love must change everything. Romantic love is part of the love that Jesus preaches in the Gospels. It works the same way. If deep romantic love is present between two people, what has been called “soul love,” everything will change. Such is the case presented in the movie “The Adjustment Bureau.” David and Elise’s love of each other was a “soul love.” Even though there were periods of time when they were not together, the love they had for each other did not cease. It affected everything they did. Because most of us choose marriage, most of us will develop such a love for someone else, and we must live it out with our chosen friend in marriage. But the point of this meditation, and the point of the spiritual life is that Jesus’ idea of love extends to every Christian. Because of Jesus’ law of love, every part of the Christian’s life should change. As Jesus told us, the love that we have for God and for each other is a love that will affect everything we do. In Jesus’ words, “all will know” that we have chosen a different lifestyle because love should change everything we do in a fundamental way. It is a sad commentary that much of our Christian history does not reflect such a change.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, you wanted us above all to be people who love, love you and love each other. Your Son continually reminded us of your desire. May we truly work at making that love fundamental in our lives. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: A person experiencing true romantic love as well as a person governed by a general love of others will view the world in a better way.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 49 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition treats the Ten Commandments of Moses by showing that all ten commandments are “contained” in the two commandments of Jesus (see numbers 2083-2550). Project: go through each commandment of Moses, and show how it is contained in the two commandments of Jesus. 3. Jesus calls this commandment to love a new commandment because it is modeled on the love that Jesus shows for his disciples. Such a love will culminate in his death for them. In general, do most Christians have this type of love for one another? Yes or no and why? 4. Analysis: “One cannot love and then have nothing happen.” In your opinion, what is the meaning of the sentence? 5. If love of God and others changes everything about a person, what would change first in a person’s behavior patterns? 6. What is your understanding of “soul love”? 7. The ideal is for every marriage to be a union of “soul-mates.” In your opinion, what percentage of marriages are the union of “soul-mates”? Why? 8. One of the characteristics of “soul love” is given in the meditation, namely, that time does not destroy the feeling. What are some other characteristics of “soul love”? 9. Why do approximately fifty percent of our marriages fail? 10. Scene analysis: David loses the election because of an impropriety while he was in college. Why do young people do things in their younger days that could hurt them in the future? 11. Dialogue analysis: “People want maturity” in their candidates. Is the statement always true? Yes or no and why? 12. Analysis: David and Elise obviously are in love right away. Do you believe that true love can happen this quickly? Yes or no and why? 13. Scene analysis: Inspired by Elise, David becomes very honest in his concession speech. In your opinion, are most politicians truly honest? Yes or no and why? 14. Analysis: “The Chairman”: The Adjustment Bureau refers to the Chairman, not mentioning his name. The name probably refers to God. Do you think that God plays such an active role in working out our lives? Yes or no and why? 15. Dialogue analysis: “I’ll never let anything happen between us.” In your opinion, do young people use the words “never,” “forever,” and the like too often? Yes or no and why?