[media presentation below] GospelThink Wednesday, November 22 LUKE 19:11-28 In my story I make it clear that you should use what you have been given. Prayerthoughts a. The man going on the journey is God who has given me spiritual “coins” or certain spiritual abilities that I can develop, according to my own capabilities. Those spiritual abilities deal with the spiritual things in my life such as prayer, spiritual reading, different devotions, spiritual retreats, spiritual workbooks, attendance at Mass, etc. Take the time to thank the Lord for the spiritual gifts that I have received. b. The man who had the most coins earned more, building on what he had been given. Which spiritual talent should I develop more in my spiritual life? c. The one who did not make use of the coins he was given received no reward, in fact, some “punishment.” Obviously Jesus’s story should move me to make a better use of the talents I have been given. d. How would I rate my development of the spiritual talents I have been given so far? e. I want to continue to use the Lord’s gifts in my life. I should take the time to thank the Lord for giving me so much. f. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will read 2 Maccabees, chapter 7 and write an important thought from it. Some Thought on the Liturgy  USING THE TALENTS WE HAVE  + The Gospel is probably a combination of two parables that have two separate conclusions,           – but perhaps the one to center in on is the use of the talents that we have been given                      – Jesus uses the idea of money, the gold coin, and says that you have to work with what you have in order to make more                                – generalizing, we can talk about not only the material things that we have been given, but all of our talents and skills                                          – the Lord calls us to develop what we have  + There are some general considerations as we listen to the story and consider the first reading as well:           – first of all, when we are given some talents, some abilities, we are meant to develop them, and do the best we can with what we have                      – we all have them, even if we don’t think that they are very much           – secondly, we are not all given the same—some of us receive five, some, two, some, one, but we all are given something                     – we all can do something if we want to           – thirdly, doing nothing with what we have is condemned                      – what little the person has will be taken away           – and perhaps a fourth consideration coming from the first reading today from Maccabees: it takes courage to use what we have, even if it is only the fact that we resist evil as the mother and her sons did in the reading  + Jesus’ story can be applied in the professional circle or the spiritual circle           – the obvious application to us as we gather for praise of God is the motivation that we should have toward the spiritual in our lives           – why aren’t we motivated properly in spiritual matters?                      – why don’t we use the talents that we have in a spiritual way?  + There are probably many reasons why we aren’t motivated in spiritual matters           – spiritual writers say quite bluntly that one of the principal reasons why we do not develop our spiritual lives is that we have it too good                     – they point out that we don’t know what it means to depend on God, or to depend on others                                – we don’t have to think of God because God is blocked out by all the goods and glitter of this world           – we should listen to that reasoning                      – perhaps we don’t think of God because we have too many other things that occupy our minds  + We can be truly spiritual people, holy people if we want to—all we have to do is use the talents and skills that we have been given. MEDIA PRESENTATION Movie: “Star Trek Beyond” — beginning session OUR CALL TO UNITY The Gospel JOHN 17:20-23 Jesus said: “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you love them, even as you loved me.”

Gospelthink: I want everyone to be one in love of all. Am I trying to show that love especially to those I have a difficult time with?

In the movie “Star Trek Beyond”, the Enterprise traveled to a nebula after hearing a distress signal from a ship in the area. On the way they were attacked by a massive cluster of ships headed by an alien by the name of Krall. The aliens boarded the Enterprise, took most of the crew captive and destroyed the Enterprise. They were looking for a bio-weapon called the Abronath, and as they did so, they encountered the bravery of the crew. Krall tells Lieutenant Uhuru whom he has captured, that their weakness is their desire for unity since it causes them to stay together and not to get away when they can. Uhuru points out to him that on the contrary, their desire to stay together will be the way to bring about the end of Krall’s invasion.

When Jesus prayed for us to His Father, what did he pray for? It is interesting that he prayed above all for “unity.” He did not mention specifically obedience to a law, or even that we should love more or be kind to others. He prayed that you and I would be one just as the Father and Jesus are one. Analyzing His words, we see exactly what it means for all of us. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in their love of humankind. It was God who created, redeemed and continues to sanctify all of us. And in light of that, we are to show the same actions toward our world and those around us. We are called to be one in our approach to others, just as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are united. In the movie “Star Trek Beyond,” the saving quality as Lieutenant Uhuru expressed it for the crew of the Enterprise was that they were all one. Each member saw the necessity to bind with one another whether it meant death or life, because “unity” was the guide. Unity brings about love and all the Christian virtues because people who want to be joined with one another in a Godly way will show each other what God wants of us. Unity means something quite specific for people who are committed to each other. For married couples, it will mean working to the best of their abilities to keep their love alive. For couples who are committed to each other in friendship it will mean loving each other no matter what the circumstances. And for people committed to each other under the banner of loving the same God, it will mean a reaching out to one another beyond family ties. Jesus’ prayer for unity for us is a prayer to remain God-like with everyone.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, Your Son prayed for unity when He prayed for us at the end of His life here on earth. May we learn the lesson and work to be one with You and with all of Your creation. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: While some people may think that achieving unity is a weakness, the mature person will recognize it as a strength.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why? 2. In general, do most Christians show the love that they should show to one another? Yes or no and why? 3. In general, do Churches and organizations present “unity” in their approach to the world? Yes or no and why? 4. Specifically, do you think the fact that Christian churches are not united is a good thing or a bad thing? 5. What is a way to promote family unity in the world? 6. Analysis: Should we spend the time and money it takes on space travel? Yes or no and why? 7. Analysis: the Enterprise has been in space about three years. What effect does this have on families? In modern day, it is seen by members of the armed forces who must spend a long time away. 8. Why is the order to “abandon ship” so traumatic for a captain? 9. Analysis: What is the closest weapon that we have to the Abronath that the world possesses now. What control should be placed on it?