[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, September 25 LUKE 8:16-18 If you truly listen to my word, I will give you even more understanding. Prayerthoughts a. Jesus tells a story that involves my being a light for others to see. Others observe me all the time whether I like it or not. Am I showing the virtues of Jesus to the world? b. There is nothing that will remain hidden, nothing that will remain a secret. Are there some actions that I do that I would not like the majority of the world to know? Why? c. The Lord states a phrase that he often uses, saying that we must truly hear what he says to us. Are there some sayings of the Lord that are too difficult for me to listen to? d. We must also take care what we hear. Do I find myself listening to idle gossip and negative conversation about others, maybe even sometimes contributing to it? Perhaps I should say a prayer for those people that I have been too critical of. e. The Lord promises that the person who really tries to do well in judging others will be rewarded and the person who does not do well will not be rewarded. It is a scare tactic from the Lord, and one we should listen to. f. My prayerthoughts…. Today, I will read Ezra, chapter 1,  and write an important thought from it.   Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  LISTENING CAREFULLY TO GOD  + This passage of Luke’s Gospel continues the thought of this section of his Gospel which is dealing with the Word of God           – that Word of God must be present to all— it is put on a lampstand                     – everyone must have access to it—nothing hidden  + The statement to center in on perhaps is Jesus’ statement:           Take care, then, how you hear.           – both here at Mass and in the privacy of our mental prayer                      – and in particular, how do we apply the Word of God for our lives                                – one of the essentials of Roman Catholicism must be the belief that God is talking to us in words of Scripture                                          – and it is likewise essential how well we are listening  + In the first reading, a pagan king by the name of Cyrus, ended what the Hebrew people call “the Babylonian Captivity”           – and the reason why he did, as described in the historical book of the Hebrew Scriptures called the book of Ezra                      – is very simply that he was “inspired” by the Word of God as spoken by Jeremiah the prophet           – that is, he listened to what God told him to do                      – and then he acted  + God does not talk to us in as a direct manner as is described in the Hebrew Scriptures, but we know that God continues to inspire us           – God inspires us especially through the words of the Gospel that we listen to every day                      – there is always something that can make us a little more “Godly”, a little more “Christian” in the words of this Mass, especially the Gospel  + And further, a statement that ought to make us sit up and really listen—           To anyone who has, more will be given.                      – as we listen to the Lord, and really want to follow through with his directives, the Lord will make us understand more                                – and just as important, the more we understand his Word, the more will be required of us as we try to carry out his Word  + The Word of God is essential to our faith           – and we must listen to it well. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Attention” — Charlie Puth ALL YOU WANT IS ATTENTION The Gospel MATTHEW 23:27-28 Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.”

Gospelthink: I was very upset with the religious leaders, and one of the reasons was simply the way they were thinking. Am I trying to purify the way I think?

“You’ve been runnin’ around throwin’ that dirt all on my name ‘cause you knew that I’d call you up. I know that dress is karma, perfume regret. You got me thinking ‘bout when you were mine. You just want attention, you don’t want my heart. Maybe you just hate the thought of me with someone new. Yeah, you just want attention. What are you doin’ to me?”

What happens to a relationship when one of the party wants attention from everyone around him/her, and really does not care about the relationship? Obviously, such a relationship is not going to last because as Charlie Puth sings in his song “Attention,” “You just want attention, you don’t want my heart.” If there is to be a lasting relationship, giving one’s heart to another implies that the other will give his/her own heart  as well.  A relationship cannot be present with only one heart: it takes two. Part of the sin of the Pharisees and scribes in Jesus’ eyes was “wanting attention” from people, but not wanting to give their hearts. They were interested only in how many people they could impress, and forgot about their “insides,” as Jesus pointed out to them. They were not interested in giving away their hearts, that is, leading others to religious practice; they were only wanting attention, appearing “beautiful” to anyone who was watching. In a romantic relationship, it is relatively clear that the relationship is over when one of the people in the relationship is more interested in being noticed by others in a romantic way. Both parties of the relationship must be interested in each other. If one is more interested in others, then it is time for discussion on the part of both. In the Gospels Jesus wanted to work with the scribes and Pharisees, but when it was clear that they were only concerned about what others thought of them, Jesus could not communicate with them. Incredibly in the song, the man in the relationship is not deciding to end the relationship. He wants it to continue, and so he seems to “overlook” the fact that his friend is much more interested in “showing off” to others. If that friend does not change, the man’s life will be miserable. It is certainly good to desire the relationship to continue, but there must be evidence that it will continue before a person gives his “heart” to it.

PRAYER . Good and gracious God,  Your Son worked to have a good relationship with everyone here on earth, even those who did not listen to him. Give us the grace to build good relationships by overcoming any selfishness that we may have. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: If a person merely wants attention from others, he/she can never enter a real relationship. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;    1. Jesus showed “tough love” toward the scribes and Pharisees. What does “tough love” consist of? 2. What is the best way to cleanse our “insides” as Jesus desires of the religious leaders? 3. In general, why do people want “attention” from others? 4. What does it mean to “give our hearts” to another? 5. Why would a person in the situation of the song want to continue the relationship?  6. What does the song “Attention” teach young people?