[media presentation below] GospelThink Monday, February 19, Lent I MATTHEW 25:31-46 I give you a story concerning the judgment at the end of the world. Prayerthoughts a. Is the end of the world something that I fear? Why or why not? b. Truthfully with no thought of feeling pride in what I may or may not have done, what is the principal reason that I should be placed with the sheep? c. What is my own personal understanding of the kingdom of heaven? d. Take time to go through each of Jesus’ phrases asking what I am doing in the areas mentioned: giving to the hungry and thirsty, welcoming people amiably, clothing needy people, visiting the sick, and visiting those who are incarcerated? e. I may not be inclined to visit those in prison, but perhaps I should take the time right now to pray for them. f. Jesus words: whatever I did to the least of the people, you did to me. Who do I consider the least in my life right now, again without judging anyone? Do I look at them as if  they were the Lord? g. My prayerthoughts…   Today, I will read Leviticus, chapter 19 and write an important thought from it. Some Thoughts on the Liturgy  LOVING OTHERS: NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE  + The readings today both have the same conclusion: that we have to truly love people           – that love implies two things, a negative approach, and a positive approach:  +        1 – we see the negative approach from the Hebrew Scriptures                      – it implies that we do not do some things                                – a whole list of things                                          – steal, lie, bad speech, injustice           – saying that part of love of others means that we deliberately refrain from doing harmful things to them  +        2 – from Jesus, we have the positive approach to loving others, telling us that there is a way to behave, and telling us by means of a story           – implying that we must do some things if we indeed are to love our neighbor           – I consider it to be one of the most significant statements of the teaching of Jesus, one of the top 10 Scripture passages                      – when it comes to our final judgment before God, Jesus does not mention the Law, he does not mention God; he does not mention tradition, he does not refer to the prophets, the patriarchs, religious practices and prayers, synagogue, church, none of these           – instead, when it comes down to the final analysis of a person                      -when judgment has to be made concerning what a person has done in his life                                – at that moment, the most sacred of all moments in a person’s whole life                                          – Jesus says everything—our whole after-life—depends on how much the person has given to others           – that is an absolutely incredible statement for a Hebrew religious leader to make                      – and further, as if that wasn’t enough to shock people, Jesus not only talks about the brothers and sisters of the world—he talks about the least brothers and sisters                                – that is, those who criticize us, those who refuse to understand us, those who are evil, those who do bad things, those who are unable to understand the evil of their actions  + If we really want to love people, we have to refrain from doing some things and at the same time, we have to do some things for them. MEDIA PRESENTATION Song: “Stereo Hearts” — Gym Class Heroes YOU’RE CHANGING MY MIND The Gospel MARK 15:42-46 [After Jesus died,] when it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

Gospelthink: I died for you and for all and Joseph of Arimathea had the courage to bury me. Am I courageous in the way I bring about Christian values?

“My heart’s a stereo. It beats for you, so listen close, hear my thoughts in every note; make me your radio, and turn me up when you feel low. The melody was meant for you; just sing along to my stereo. I apologize for any skipping tracks; it’s just the last girl that played me left a couple cracks. Now, I’m over that. If I could only find a note to make you understand, I’d sing it softly in your ear. Just keep it stuck inside your head like your favorite tune, and know my heart’s a stereo that only plays for you. Thought love was dead; now, you’re changing my mind.”

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, one can guess that as a member of the Sanhedrin Joseph of Arimathea had been against what Jesus taught, but had changed his mind the more he got to know him. When Jesus died, Joseph “courageously” approached the governor asking permission to bury this person in whom he had come to believe. Modern love songs speak of change all the time. Many times it is a change that comes after significant pain. The person in Gym Class Heroes’ clever song “Stereo Hearts” had such a past relationship, one that had left “a couple cracks” on the “CD” of his life. Now, he’s hearing interest from another, and, as he says, “you’re changing my mind.” He is acknowledging that he is changing, but one senses that he is taking his time in allowing the change to happen. He is exemplifying a pattern of behavior that can be helpful to every one, whether there is a romantic love involved or not. Change is difficult, especially after similar situations in the past have ended in a painful way. If something has produced pain in the past, we will be cautious about the future. In fact, it is a good principle for worthy living. Before any change can take place, one has to “live for a while,” that is, “exist.” Only after some time and serious thought will the human being be ready to allow something different. Joseph of Arimathea in the Gospel studied his situation and changed his mind to follow Jesus. The person in Gym Class Heroes’ song was studying his situation as he looked at the possibility of romantic love. They both produce a lesson that teaches us the necessity to spend some time of serious thought before we make significant changes in our behavior patterns.

PRAYER Good and gracious God, as human beings we are often cautious about change because changing behavior is difficult. Help us learn the lesson of cautious change, and in the end, give us the grace to change our behavior and accept your Son completely no matter what our lifestyle. Be with us, we pray.

+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: We can change our minds, but it will usually take time.    DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. There were some members of the inner circle of religious leaders in the Gospel who accepted Jesus, such as Joseph of Arimathea, while most rejected him. In your opinion, what caused the religious leaders to reject Jesus? 2. We do not know anything about Joseph of Arimathea’s later life. What can you guess happened to him, given the circumstances of his situation? 3. The group sings of past pain in a poetic way. What causes the most pain in a young love situation? 4. Text analysis: “I apologize for any skipping tracks.” What is the meaning of the statement? 5. What are the characteristics of “courage”? 6. It often happens that people rush too quickly into a relationship after some breakup. Why do we do that? 7. After finishing one relationship, how much time should a person spend before beginning another one? 8. The meditation makes the point that any significant change should be made slowly. What are the most important changes a person makes as he/she grows out of adolescence. 9. What does the song “Stereo Hearts” teach young people?