[media presentation below] GospelThink Friday, July 28 MATTHEW 13:18-23 I explain the story of “the sower.” Prayerthoughts Note: Jesus explains the story of the sower. Prayerthoughts for today are basically the same as the prayerthoughts for July 26. You might want to review them. Today, I will read Exodus, chapter 20, and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy UNDERSTANDING THE WORD OF GOD  + The evangelist Matthew following what the evangelist Mark originally wrote, has Jesus explain the story of the sower, the story that Jesus told in Wednesday’s Gospel           – and because the story/parable deals with the message of Scripture, it has direct bearing on us who listen and read the message every day                      – it is probably true that we listen to the different messages of Scripture using all four of the ways that Jesus describes  + Sometimes we listen without understanding (path)           – Jesus is not speaking of understanding in an intellectual way here—understanding with the mind                      – he is talking about understanding with the heart                                – that is, completely taking it in and letting it be a true guide to our lives           – for example, using Jesus’ doctrine of love of others as an illustration, we hear that we must love everyone, but we deliberately exclude some people from our love  + Sometimes we listen and hear well, make some conversion, but a setback—say a personal tragedy or the like—makes us miss the message (rocky ground)           – for example, in the illustration of Jesus’ doctrine of love of others, those others continue to be a pain for us, even as we strive to be better, and we simply won’t allow ourselves to love them                      – we actually extend the love of others to include everyone, but we are not persistent in that love, and we forget about any conversion of heart as we continue living our lives  + Sometimes we listen and hear well, actually make some progress, but the world has too strong an influence, and we miss the message (thorns, briers)           – in the area of religion, in this area of love of others, for example, we are often governed by what others think—what may be called “the world”                      – especially if we are surrounded by others who don’t like a certain set of people or the like                                – and we let that feeling influence us too much  + Sometimes we listen and understand           – which means that we listen completely to the message, take it in entirely, and try our best to carry it through           – in the illustration of love of others, we actually open ourselves to include everyone in our thought and action, no matter how difficult it may be  + The Lord God gives Moses the ten commandments in the first reading from Exodus. Jesus added a slightly different nuance to the commandments           – but it is important to be aware of the original commandments so that we can understand what the Lord said in the reading today. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” — final session THE PRICE OF FREEDOM The Gospel MATTHEW 26:36-39 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

Gospelthink: As a human, I knew that the suffering was something that I did not want. When I suffer, do I try to remember the Lord’s example?

Caught in the intrigue of Senator Alexander Pierce who had built himself into a position of power, Captain America and the two people he could trust, Natasha Romanoff and Sam Wilson, had to battle the evil. They discovered that a group called HYDRA had infiltrated the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization and therefore no one in the original group could be trusted. In a striking speech to everyone who occupied the Triskelion, S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Captain America speaks of the basic desires of every human being. He tells everyone that freedom and salvation from enslavement will be their’s, but there must be sacrifice in the process. “I know I’m asking a lot,” he says, “but the price of freedom is high. It always has been. And it’s a price I’m willing to pay. If I’m the only one, then so be it, but I’m willing to bet I’m not.”

Perhaps the most difficult words for Christians are the words that place their trust completely in the hands of God. They were first spoken by the human Jesus as he knew what would happen to him during his passion and death, “Not as I will, but as you will.” If we believe in God and all of God’s power, the words promise to our God that we will allow God to work, even if it means the ultimate sacrifice of our deaths. Steve Rogers, that is, Captain America, knew that he could not take down a group of traitors who had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., even with his superhuman powers. He challenged his fellow agents to pay the price of freedom, whatever it might be. He knew that people committed to a just cause would follow through with their commitment, even to the point of death. Most of us will not have to pay the price of freedom that so many of the good people paid in the movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” namely, the ultimate sacrifice of death. But even if Christians had to pay such a sacrifice, if their commitment to the Christian way of life were true, they would make it. Salvation from enslavement by evil always demands some sacrifice, whether large or small. Sacrifice is not easy, especially since most of us live with abundance. We like what we have, the different “toys” that we have, the “stuff” that makes life so enjoyable. But if we are committed Christians, we may be called on to make some sacrifices, especially if our abundant world introduces the possibility of evil.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, our humanness enjoys the freedom that we have. But from your Son Jesus we also are aware that sometimes you demand a sacrifice from us. Enable us to make the difficult choices that you may demand of us. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Real freedom or salvation from enslavement always involves sacrifice to prevent an evil. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 63 minutes) 1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why? 2. Jesus prayed frequently during his life. What is your definition of prayer? [Note: the last section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition is devoted to “prayer.”] Do you think that Jesus had the same definition as yours? Yes or no and why? 3. Jesus desired companionship during this intense moment in his life. When do we need companionship the most? 4. Matthew’s Gospel (and Mark’s and Luke’s) all picture the human Jesus feeling pain as he anticipated his crucifixion and death. Explain how Jesus who was divine could also feel human pain. See Catechism, numbers 470-478. 5. Do you think that most people will follow through with the commitment to freedom even if it would mean that they would have to die? 6. Name a person who has died while making the commitment to freedom? 7. Name some “just causes” that people should die for. 8. Death is usually not demanded of the Christian, but some sacrifice is. In your opinion, what is the greatest sacrifice other than death that is demanded of the Christian? 9. What are some of the “toys” that we have? 10. In your opinion, when does our “abundant world” become evil? 11. Scene analysis: Pierce kills his housekeeper because she knows too much. Does such “easy” killing affect the minds of those who attend the movie? Yes or no and why? 12. Analysis: do you think that our technology can produce something like a Falcon jet-suit? Yes or no and why? 13. Analysis: In your opinion, is it possible to “turn” a person from loving someone (as Bucky Barnes did Captain America) to hating him/her, even with drugs? Yes or no and why? 14. Scene analysis: Fury kills Pierce. Is his motive “revenge” or “desire to help humankind”? 15. Analysis: Natasha testifies before the congressional committee. Describe Natasha’s character. 16. Analysis: Captain America decides to pursue Bucky. What do you think his motivation is? 17. Analysis: In the post-credits scene, what do you think is in Bucky’s mind as he looks at the Smithsonian display? 18. What does the movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” teach young people?