[media presentation below] GospelThink Thursday, November 30, St. Andrew MATTHEW 4:18-22 I called Andrew and the other Apostles as I have called you to follow me. Prayerthoughts a. Simon and Andrew, and James and John were fisherman, not of any privileged class. Do I find myself thinking in a superior way of others? How do I treat those whom I consider to be a “lower” class than I am? b. The Lord calls Simon and Andrew and later James and John. In a sense we have been called to be a true follower of the Lord, no matter what our job may be. As I look at my life, what grade (A. B, C, D) would I give myself as a follower of Jesus? How can it be better? c. We are “fishers of men” in the sense that we influence others. What kind of an influence do I have on those closest to me? d. The Gospels describe their following the Lord to be “at once” and “immediately.” Are there times in my life when I do not follow the Lord as quickly as I should? e. In general, what kind of an apostle of the Lord toward all others am I? f. My prayerthoughts… Today, I will read Romans, chapter 10 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  THE MESSAGE OF ANDREW  + Today is the feast of an apostle, one of the original followers of Jesus—Andrew             – both readings directed toward the thought of Andrew                         – 1st: we need people to preach the Word of God, especially the word of Jesus                         – Gospel: the actual call of Andrew, Peter, James and John  + There are a couple areas in the liturgy today that a person interested in a deeper spiritual life can identify with:             – 1 – from the reading from Romans: the need for people to preach Jesus in today’s world                         – we need them in a formal way: priests, brothers, sisters, dedicated lay people                                     – but we also need them to preach in what might be called an informal way                                                 – i.e., people who believe in Jesus and act upon that belief                                                             – leading others by their example and words to accept a Christian attitude in everything they do                                                                         – in the home, in the place where they work             – 2 – also from the reading from Romans: faith comes through the hearing of the Word of Jesus                         – once again, the importance of Scriptures comes to mind, especially the New Testament and Gospels                                     – i.e., knowing what Jesus said and why he said it                                                 – a true knowledge of Jesus             – 3 – from the Gospel: Jesus calls                         – our belief is that God always gives us the grace to do the right thing and the best thing                                     – so Jesus calls us to follow our informed consciences                                                 – to be the type of Christian that we should be                                     – the grace is always there, all we have to do is use it             – 4 – also from the Gospel: Andrew and the others immediately abandoned their fishing nets                         – notice the following of Jesus was immediate                                     – probably not as immediate as the Gospel says—no doubt there was time for a psychological departure from their families—                                                 – but their following of Jesus was an immediate response to Jesus’ call                         – notice they abandoned their fishing nets                                     – they gave up their livelihood, their attachment to the things of earth                                                 – it was a radical following of Jesus                                                             – our following of the Lord must be real and no less radical MEDIA PRESENTATION “Solo: A Star Wars Story” — beginning session SAYING THE WORD “FOREVER” The Gospel MATTHEW 28:16-20 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Gospelthink: I instruct my disciples and you on your spiritual task. Am I carrying out the Lord’s directive in some way?

Across the known galaxy, organized crime syndicates were running rampant due to lawlessness, forcing others to fight for survival. On the planet Corellia, Han (later to be called Han Solo) was seeking a way to leave Corellia. After he obtained some coaxiom, the mineral that everyone on the planet was searching for, he and his girlfriend Qi’ra planned to escape. They finally managed it by bringing the coaxium to a imperial officer as a bribe, but they were discovered. They nearly made it out, but Qi’ra was captured. Han promised to find a way to get Qi’ra out, and because their love was strong, he promised her that he would return.

The human being usually needs reassurance when a promise is made. Jesus knew that his disciples were still doubting about all that he had done, although they had seen marvelous things. So, he reassured them. He made them a promise. “Behold I am with you always,” he said, “until the end of the age.” It was a promise that they would remember forever, through all the problems and sorrows that they would have to face. It was a promise of love that would last. When a person loves someone, that person will make promises that he/she will keep. That is the reason why people young in love should never use the word “forever” because their love is still beginning to form. But if the couple is truly in a love that will last, both of them can use the word to signify their love. Such is the love, one is led to believe between Han and Qi’ra in the movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” Their love was strong from the first moment.   There is an important lesson here for young people in love. The emotions of the initial feeling of a possible “soul mate” in the person of another can easily take over a young person’s life. They are inclined to give completely of themselves, and therefore their “forever” which they speak to one another is real. The fact is that unless there is a physical presence to each other during the days of the promise, it may not be kept. And so, the promise must be made with caution. Han and Qi’ra loved each other as “soul mates” early on in their lives. They did not know the circumstances of their lives. When Han had to leave Qi’ra, however, he could say “forever” and it would mean something.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, Your Son promised to be with the disciples and consequently with us, his modern day disciples, always. He keeps his promise every day of our lives. May we human beings learn the lesson of love forever, and promise to give it only if we mean it. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: When a person loves someone, he/she will make promises with the intention of keeping them.   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (session: approximately 63 minutes) 1. What scene from this session of movie is most striking and why? 2. In the Gospel, what was the principal reason why the eleven disciples still “doubted”? 3. In your opinion, do most Christians understand Baptism as the entrance into Christian life? Yes or no and why? 4. In what way is the Lord with us in our lives? 5. What can “coaxiom” be compared to in our modern day? Do we depend on it too much? 6. Why does a human being need reassurance? 7.  In general, when young people first say the word “forever” to one another, do you think that they mean it? Yes or no and why? 8. Do you believe in the idea that we can have love “at first sight”?  Yes or no and why? 9.  The meditation says that a physical presence is necessary before the young people say “forever.” Is the statement true or false? Why? 10. What are the elements of a “soul mate” love? 11. Dialogue analysis: Beckett: “Let me give you some advice. Assume everyone will betray you. And you will never be disappointed.”  Why is this statement both true and false?