[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, February 12 MARK 8:11-13 I was very upset with the people who refused to understand me. Prayerthoughts a. In our prayer do we tend to “argue” with the Lord as the Pharisees did? We tend to want our way, and are not content to allow the Lord to act according to His Will. b. Jesus had just performed a miracle of multiplying the loaves and fish. The Pharisees probably knew of this, but they still demanded a “sign.” Thinking of my relationship with others, am I deliberately not trying to see things as they see them? c. Jesus is completely exasperated with the Pharisees because they would not remain open with regard to his intentions. Do I honestly try to understand the point of view that someone else has? d. Jesus says that no sign will be given because they are not open to see it. Do I recognize enough the signs of God in the world around me? e. Jesus did not “argue” with the Pharisees. He simply left the situation. Do I tend to defend my position with others while not allowing them the courtesy to have their opinion? f. My prayerthoughts…   Today I will be especially kind to someone whom I see often. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  THE WISDOM TO SEE  + There is deep frustration in Jesus as we study the words of the Gospel today:           He sighed from the depth of his spirit…                      – the frustration that Jesus had with the Pharisees was that they refused to see the problem with themselves                                – they would not listen to him as he tried to tell them how they were behaving –                                        – instead of listening, they wanted a sign that he had the right to be saying what he was saying                                – in Jesus’ mind, it was simply a matter of looking at what they were doing, and realizing it                                          – Jesus was telling them, but they refused to see                                                    – and so, Jesus could work no sign that would lead to conversion  + In terms of the first reading from the letter of James, they were lacking in wisdom, and they were doing nothing about it  + The readings say to us that we can stop any evil in our lives if we seek the wisdom to do it           – and part of that wisdom is studying ourselves and why we are doing what we are doing  + There is not much serious evil in our spiritual lives           – or else we wouldn’t be here                     – but any person desiring to live a deeper spiritual life as you and I are, can see that there is—if not serious evil—then “small” evils                      – the way we talk with/about others                      – laziness in spiritual reading and other exercises                      – refusal to do small things when we could help someone                      – judging others / reading other’s minds, assigning motivation to them when it may or may not be true  + Our human natures tend to want some evil           – but the message of Scripture from the very first moment of our existence is encouraging—we have the wisdom to overcome evil           – our job is to seek the wisdom to determine the evil that our natural desires lead us to, and then master it—either before it has started, or if it has begun already, to do something about it. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Mood” — 24KGoldn featuring Iann Dior THROWING A MOOD The Gospel MARK 10:41-45 When the ten heard this [after James and John had asked for a special place in Jesus’s Kingdom], they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Gospelthink: My Apostles were very human as they dealt with each other, and therefore were prone to moods. May I learn from the Lord’s words to them about being a servant.

“Why you always in a mood? Foolin’ around, acting’ brand new. I ain’t tryna tell you what to do, but try to play it cool. I ain’t playin by your rules: everything look better with a view. I could never get attached. When I start to feel, I unattach, somehow I always end up feeling bad. I’m not your dad. I just want your company. We play games of love to avoid the depression. We been here before and I won’t be your victim.” [Explicit lyrics adjusted.]

The Gospel passage might describe an attitude of moodiness on the part of the Apostles other than James and John. They had heard Jesus talk to the two apostles about his “glory” or his Kingdom and James and John had asked to have a special place in it. The other apostles must have wanted that special place as well. They became jealous of James and John and no doubt caused a “mood” among the Twelve. Such a “mood” translated into words like “I’m not as important as they are,” or “He likes them better than me.” It is a mood that could destroy a relationship. And so, Jesus addresses all of his Apostles, basically making known to them, that theymust get out of the moodiness and selfishness. In fact, one of the virtues that Jesus wanted them to learn was to be a servant which means no moods or self-gratification. 24KGoldn and Iann Dior’s song simply named “Mood” speaks of a relationship of people who are moody, but does not close with any reconciliation. It merely states that both of the people of the relationship are in a mood and they end up merely playing a game called “love.” Such is the outcome of a “mood.” It solves nothing and destroys the relationship because of its selfishness. Such a mood becomes a selfish attitude of living. The person in the mood “takes it out” on the other as well as anyone else in that person’s path. It makes a person sullen and feeling sorry for oneself. It destroys relationships and often leads one to despair and revenge. It is common for humankind because our human natures want to lord it over others in one way or another. Jesus addresses it well by calling us to recognize that if we are sincere in our approach to a Christian life, we will not be people who are moody.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, we often find ourselves shunned or hurt by others, and too often we “throw a mood.” Help us recognize that our moodiness in no way helps us, and give us the grace to truly understand how to be servants to others. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: Moods destroy sincere relationships.     DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1.What does the song “Mood” teach us? 2. Does it surprise  you to see that Jesus’s Apostles were so human as to be jealous and moody? 3. In the song, what is the meaning of “I am not your Dad”? 4. What is your definition of being “moody”? 5. What is your definition of “becoming a servant”? 6. In the song, what must be done to get the person out of the mood? 7. How should you treat a friend who is in a “mood”? 8. How does becoming a servant help the person who is in a “mood”?