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The Servant Leader

Nov. 5, 2012

Weekly Winner

Congratulations Robin Good, our weekly winner for November 5!

Robin will receive a copy of The Catholic Youth Prayer Book, an $18.95 value.

Help youth understand the meaning of Christian prayer. Introduce them to traditional and devotional prayers of the Church, as well as to contemporary styles and methods. Assist youth in developing the habit of daily prayer. This all-in-one resource for prayer forms was specially written for teens, in the PRAY IT! STUDY IT! LIVE IT!® model, like The Catholic Youth Bible® and The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth. It is the most expansive prayer book for teens. But The Catholic Youth Prayer Book does more than teach about prayer. It helps teens become prayerful people.

The Catholic Youth Prayer Book
ISBN: 978-0-88489-559-6, paper, 232 pages

Focus on Faith

“The Year of Faith”

On October 11 of this year, Pope Benedict XVI initiated the Year of Faith for Catholics around the world. The date is significant because on that date fifty years ago, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. So where were you on October 11, 1962?

Some of us remember the excitement surrounding the opening of the Council. We, along with subsequent generations, have inherited the benefits and challenges of Vatican Council II. But perhaps the greater question, prompted by Pope Benedict’s proclamation on this special anniversary, is the same one asked by Jesus of Peter in the midst of stormy seas: "What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31, GNT).

If the great Saint Peter can falter in his faith, it is no surprise that we can too. But we are reassured that even faith the size of a mustard seed can make a difference (see Matthew 17:20 ff.). If we have reasons for doubt, Jesus is our reason for faith. Because of Jesus, we can say confidently with Saint Paul: "I know whom I have trusted" (2 Timothy 1:12, GNT) and "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me" (Galatians 2:20, GNT).

During the past few weeks, I have been gathering some practical ideas for observing the Year of Faith. Some of these may interest you and your students, so here is a short rundown:

●There’s an app for that! The Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend has created an app entitled "My Year of Faith," with prayers, reflections, and daily content updates. It costs 99 cents and is available for iOS and Android, including tablets such as iPad and Kindle Fire. Those without smartphones can follow the blog at www.myyearoffaith.com.

● Scripture-of-the-day. Using a concordance (either a bound book or an online Bible concordance like Bible Gateway), search for words like faith or believe. Choose one quote as the "Year of Faith quote of the day" and write it on the board. You may eventually ask volunteers to find and write the quotes for one day or for an entire week at a time.

● Vatican II Document-of-the-day. The apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Bishop Christopher Coyne, has suggested that each parish provide opportunities for parishioners to read and study the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) (Light of Nations). It has 69 paragraphs. You might try reading one paragraph a day from this document with your students. Or try the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes), with 93 paragraphs.

●Age quod agis. This phrase came to my attention in a Law and Order rerun. Associated primarily with the Jesuits, it was quoted by a priest to one of the detectives who had gone to Catholic school. Literally, it means, "Do what you are doing." In other words, really do what you are doing, with all of yourself. Stay focused! In a recent article in America Magazine, Bishop David L. Ricken, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, has written an article that strikes this same chord for the Year of Faith: "Wake-up Call: How Catholics Can Live the Year of Faith" (America, October 15, 2012).

So, during this Year of Faith, let’s pull together and keep on rowing. Let’s pray to grow in faith, as individuals and as a Church. With our colleagues and students, let’s make Saint Paul’s declarations of faith our own, now more than ever. Blessings to you in your ministry!

Joy and peace,
Joanna

Make It Happen

A Gift from Jesus: A Guided Reflection with Clay

From Hands-on Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens, by Maryann Hakowski and Joyce Schoettler Jennings, Saint Mary’s Press, 2001.

Saint Paul had no faith in Jesus at all, and was hostile to his followers, until he actually met Jesus. This exercise gives your students an opportunity to meet Jesus through a guided meditation based on the story of Zacchaeus. (This guided meditation can be used with or without clay, but, in my experience, using clay is a very positive, prayerful experience and worth the trouble.)

OVERVIEW

This strategy engages the young teens in two activities that most people their age find particularly appealing: guided meditation and working with clay to create something out of nothing. It is an ideal activity for an extended session or a retreat on the theme of grace or giftedness.


Suggested Time

30 to 45 minutes

Group Size

This strategy works best with groups of less than thirty people.

Materials Needed

·a Bible

·blank sheets of paper, one for each person

·Sculpty or another brand of modeling clay

·plastic sandwich bags

·a tape or CD player, and a recording of reflective music (optional)


Procedure

Prepare a small bag of modeling clay for each young person.

1. Begin the session by reading aloud the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10. Encourage the young people to listen carefully to the details. After you read the story, lead a discussion around the following questions:

What did Zacchaeus do for a living?

What was his physical stature like?
How did he get to see Jesus?
What did Jesus say to Zacchaeus?
Why were people upset with Jesus?
What gift did Jesus bring to Zacchaeus that day?

The teens will likely be stumped by the last question, because the story does not say anything about Jesus bringing a gift. Point out that the result of Jesus’ visit was that Zacchaeus repented for the things he did wrong and became a disciple. The gift that Jesus gave to Zacchaeus that day was the challenge to allow God into his home and his heart. Because Zacchaeus accepted the challenge, his life was changed.

2. Give each young person a piece of paper. Announce that they will have a chance to enter into a story similar to the story of Zacchaeus. Tell the young people to move to a place in the room where they can be comfortable and alone with their thoughts. Encourage them to lie down if they want to, but to stay far enough away from other people so that they do not get distracted or distract others.


You may want to begin playing reflective music if it is available. Begin the guided meditation with a relaxation process. One way to do this is to ask the young people to tighten and release various muscle groups, starting with their toes and ending with their upper extremities. Use a soothing tone of voice and style of speech and give the young people several seconds between each directive so that they do not feel rushed. When they are quiet and relaxed, begin the following meditation. Pause for a few seconds at each set of ellipses. In your mind’s eye, imagine yourself walking toward home on a busy street.

It’s a bright, beautiful day. The air is light and clean, with just a hint of a breeze. . . . What do you see around you? . . . You’ve walked this street before many times, but it seems to be especially busy today for some reason. As you make your way toward home, you notice a huge crowd up ahead. You stand back and look at all the people. . . . Do you recognize anyone? . . .

As you get closer, you hear a lot of commotion. What do you hear?... You ask someone what is going on. The person tells you that someone famous is in town. He forgot the person’s name, though. No one knew he was coming. He just showed up today. Everyone is trying to get a glimpse of this person, including you. . . . You move around the crowd, but you can’t quite see who’s in the middle. . . . You ask someone else, and that person tells you that Jesus came to town this morning. No one expected him. He just showed up. Now you really want to get a glimpse of him.

You notice a fence nearby. You know that if you can climb to the top of the fence, you can see into the middle of the crowd. So you make your way toward the fence and climb. . . . Finally you are at a height where you can see Jesus. What does he look like? . . . Does he look like you expected him to look? . . . What is he wearing? . . . Who is with him? . . . Just as you are getting comfortable on your perch, Jesus looks up—straight at you. He calls you by name and tells you that he’s been waiting for you. He tells you to get off the fence and come to him. Do it now, the people will let you through. . . .

Now you’re face-to-face with Jesus. How tall is he compared to you? . . . He calls you by name . . . and says to you, "I’m coming to your house for dinner tonight. And I need to stay there for the night too. Is that okay?" . . . What do you say to him? . . . How do you feel about the evening ahead? . . . You rush home and tell your family what happened. What happens next? . . .

Jesus arrives about three hours later. You answer the door and let him in. Dinner is not quite ready yet, so you talk with him alone for a while. He asks how you’ve been doing—really. Tell him. . . . Then he says to you, "I have a gift for you. It’s just what you need right now!" Since you were the one who let him in, you know that he didn’t bring a bag or a box. What gift could Jesus be giving you that is exactly what you need right now? . . .

3. While the young people are still meditating, quietly place a bag of modeling clay at their side. Try not to disturb their thoughts.

Gently and gradually bring the young people back from their meditation. Call them to this place and time. Ask them to open their eyes slowly and sit up, but to remain quiet. Call their attention to the bag of clay at their side, and encourage them to continue their meditation by molding the clay into something that represents the gift that Jesus gave them in their meditation. If they need an example, use one of the following:

If, like Zacchaeus, the gift was the challenge to be a follower of Jesus, they might mold their clay into a pair of sandals or a shoe.

If the gift was the courage to stand up for something they believe in, they might mold their clay into a podium or microphone.

If the gift was a willingness to forgive someone, they might mold their clay into an open door.


Allow about 10 minutes for the young people to make their clay creations. Tell them to place their completed clay creation on their piece of paper. If you have been doing so, continue playing reflective music to maintain the meditative mood.

4. Gather the young people in a circle. Allow a few minutes for them to examine one another’s work. Invite those who want to do so to explain their clay creation to the group and what gift it represents.


Close the session by reading aloud Eph. 2:7–10.

Alternative Approaches

- Instead of reading the story of Zacchaeus, ask a few young people to dramatize it. Contact them well before the session so that they have time to prepare.

Provide props, costumes, and so forth.

- If you do not have the resources to purchase clay, many children’s craft books have recipes for making clay out of common baking items.

- Instead of clay give each person a sheet of construction paper and ask them to rip the paper into a symbol of the gift Jesus gave them. This method is noisier and less meditative, but less costly and accomplishes the same purpose.

Break Open the Word

Thirty-second and Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, November 11
Mark 12:38-44

Opening Prayer
Jesus, you point out the widow to your disciples as a model of a person who trusts in God completely. Give us the same faith to be able to act as the widow did by risking it all and putting our trust in the generosity of God. Amen.

Context Connection
In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus asks his disciples to observe the actions of people dutifully placing their required payment in the Temple treasury. The rich people put in large sums of money, and the poor, lesser amounts. Jesus draws the disciples' attention to one poor widow who places "two small copper coins, which are worth a penny" (12:42). Even though the actual monetary value seems insignificant at first, Jesus points out that she has given more than those who have given a large sum of money to the treasury, "For all of them have contributed out their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on" (12:44). The contrast is striking; the rich give sizable amounts but take no risk in giving, for it is from their excess, making them to appear as great. The widow's offering, even though it is small, is given with great risk because it is all she has and therefore makes her depend on the generosity of God and others for sustaining her life. Jesus wants his disciples to focus on the purity of the gift and not on the outward appearance of its monetary value.

For Jesus, the widow is a model of faith--what it means to be totally dependent on God. Jesus wants his disciples to imitate her generosity and complete trust in God through faith, for they also will be imitating him who gave his life for many. The widow, in a spirit of humility, recognizes the call to give to God and not allow the possibility that her gift might appear shabby in comparison to what others are offering. Though she does not have much, she does not delay in giving what she has.

In contrast, Jesus talks about those who seek out self-aggrandizement because of their religious status. Jesus warns his disciples to beware of the scribes that flaunt their status and position in order to be seen and recognized in public and honored for their religiosity, while behind the scenes they "devour widows' houses" (12:40). The devouring of widows' houses is a great image of their greed and selfishness, which serves as a contrast to Jesus's nurturing and self-sacrificing spirit.

Tradition Connection
Jesus wants his disciples to have a singular heart--a heart that loves him exclusively, not a split heart that says it loves God but acts in ways that worship wealth. We could call that poverty of the heart--a heart that is singularly dedicated to God and willing to risk sacrificing everything the world holds as important. It is out of this poverty of the heart that Jesus wants us to give to others and not count the costs.

Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them "renounce all that [they have]" for his sake and that of the Gospel.1 Shortly before his passion he gave them the example of the poor widow of Jerusalem who, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.2 The precept of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2544)

In his Beatitudes, Jesus speaks profoundly of the poor in spirit--those who have their priorities correct, seeking the Kingdom of God and its lifestyle of charity over the worldly lifestyle of greed, power, and acquisition of places of public honor.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit."3 The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace, of beauty and peace. Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to whom the Kingdom already belongs:4

The Word speaks of voluntary humility as "poverty in spirit"; the Apostle gives an example of God's poverty when he says: "For your sakes he became poor."5 (Catechism, paragraph 2546)

Jesus never gives up on any human being. It is Jesus's desire that all humankind will share in his glory won through his suffering and death on the cross. Even the rich who have chosen to make wealth their priority are held in the loving heart of Jesus in the hope of their conversion.

The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods.6 "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."7 Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow.8 Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God. (Catechism, paragraph 2547)

Wisdom Connection
The widow serves as an example of faith. She is willing to take the ultimate risk of giving everything--her means to sustain her life--for the sake of her belief in God. Her offering is a sign of what it means to be totally dependent on God. Mark wants the Christian community to evaluate its reason for professing a belief in Jesus Christ. Is it to obtain a religious status and seek self-aggrandizement, or is it to be humble servants of God? It is Mark's hope that followers of Jesus choose to imitate the example of Jesus, who gave his very life through the cross for many.

Acknowledgments
The scriptural quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition. Copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

The quotations labeled Catechism are from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America. Copyright © 1994 by the United States Catholic Conference, Inc.--Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

The Lord's Prayer is from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. Copyright © 1988 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Endnotes Cited in Quotations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
1. Luke 14:33; cf. Mark 8:35.
2. Cf. Luke 21:4.
3. Matthew 5:3.
4. Cf. Luke 6:20.
5. Saint Gregory of Nyssa, De beatitud inibus 1: J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca (Paris, 1857-1866), 1200D; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9.
6. Luke 6:24.
7. Saint Augustine, De serm. Dom. in monte 1, 1, 3: J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Latina (Paris: 1841-1855), 34, 1232.
8. Cf. Matthew 6:25-34.

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, November 18
Mark 13:24-32

Opening Prayer
Jesus, as we come together this week to reflect on your word, help us understand the importance of living each day as individuals dedicated to your message of love of God, of neighbor, and of self. We desire to live eternally with you in community with all the other faithful in the loving presence of God the Father. Continue to show us the way through your word. Amen.

Context Connection
As we near the end of the Catholic Church's liturgical year, we see that the reading from Mark reflects on endings and new beginnings. The particular literary style that Mark used in writing chapter 13 is called apocalyptic. Apocalyptic literature can be found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The two most recognizable samples of apocalyptic literature are the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament and Revelation in the New Testament. What is unique about apocalyptic literature? Apocalyptic literature is unique because of its figurative and symbolic language. This language was easily recognized and understood by its intended audience, but later generations often find it strange, unfamiliar, and hard to understand. This literary style, which emerges during a time of a people's persecution, exhorts the faithful to remain true to God. A recurring theme foretells a cataclysmic battle between God and the forces of evil, with a victorious God in the end.

Sunday's passage comes from chapter 13 of Mark. The eight verses must be viewed in the context of the whole chapter. The part of the chapter that precedes Sunday's reading sets the stage: Jesus has taken Peter, James, John, and Andrew with him across the Kidron Valley, and they are sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple (13:13). The view of Herod's Temple must have been magnificent. From that vantage point Jesus and the disciples saw the Temple area, including the Holy of Holies. Jesus had just predicted, "Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down" (13:2). He was describing the destruction of Herod's Temple--an event that was to occur in AD 70. For first-century Jews, the destruction of the Temple meant the end of the world as they knew it, because their whole sociopolitical system centered around the Temple.

Verses 24 and 25 tell us that the end mentioned in verse 31 will have two dimensions. First, we will experience suffering as a result of earthly events such as war, earthquakes, and famine. Second, cosmic events, such as the sun and moon not giving light and stars falling from the heavens, will cause a further round of suffering. Isaiah 13:10 describes similar happenings. (You may want to explore more closely the ancient Jewish understanding of the cosmos.) After these events, the Son of Man (a name Mark uses for Jesus) will come in clouds. Jesus will send the angels to gather the elect (those who have lived a righteous life). These signs will be as clear as those exhibited by the fig tree when it puts forth leaves telling us it is summer. Jesus reassures the disciples, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Mark 13:31). The words of Jesus are eternal.

Mark ends the passage with a statement that bears close attention: "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (13:32). Only God the Father knows the day and the hour. When individuals or groups proclaim that they know the exact time of the end of the world, remember that only God the Father knows, and God isn't telling anyone, not even the Son.

Tradition Connection
Each Sunday we pray together the closing statement of the Nicene Creed: "We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come." As Catholics, we believe that at death the soul separates from the body and the individual's soul goes before Jesus Christ for judgment, and "that on the Day of Judgment [final judgment] all men will appear in their own bodies [glorified bodies] before Christ's tribunal to render an account of their own deeds" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1059). "Then the just will reign with Christ for ever, glorified in body and soul, and the material universe itself will be transformed" (Catechism, number 1060). "In the resurrection God will give incorruptible life to our body, transformed by reunion with our soul. Just as Christ is risen and lives for ever, so all of us will rise at the last day" (Catechism, number 1016).

Who will be raised from the dead? "All the dead will rise, 'those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment'"1 (Catechism, number 998). What will heaven be like? Heaven will have no pain or crying and will be a union in Christ of the whole human race, a "community of the redeemed" (Catechism, number 1045). This community will live in the presence of the beatific vision. "The beatific vision, in which God opens himself in an inexhaustible way to the elect, will be the ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion" (Catechism, number 1045). Hell, on the other hand, will be reserved for those who have chosen not to love God. Hell is a "state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed" (Catechism, number 1033). "Hell's principal punishment consists of eternal separation from God in whom alone man can have the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs" (Catechism, number 1057).

Wisdom Connection
Mark reassures his community and us that God is in control. No matter what happens, we need to remain faithful to the word of God, for even though heaven and earth pass away, the word of God is eternal and will not pass away. God's word is the only sure thing. Mark tells his community that in times ahead they will experience suffering and pain, and that events will make the world a dark place. But Mark cautions Christians to never lose hope, the hope grounded in their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for those who remain faithful, in spite of world events, will in the end be with Christ in eternity. Mark warns us that as Christians, we will have to profess our faith by the way we live, and in times of persecution we may even have to die for our faith. But at the Second Coming of Jesus--"the Son of God coming in clouds" (13:26)--the faithful will be gathered by Jesus as a community to eternally live in the holy presence of God the Father. Mark also tells us that no one knows when the Second Coming of Jesus will happen. In fact Mark gives us great advice, "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (13:32). So why worry about it? Not even Jesus the Son knows. Rather, we should live our lives each day as faithful followers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is something we control.

Acknowledgments
The scriptural quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition. Copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

The quotations labeled Catechism are from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America. Copyright © 1994 by the United States Catholic Conference, Inc.--Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

The Lord's Prayer is from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. Copyright © 1988 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Endnotes Cited in Quotations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
1. John 5:29; cf. Daniel 12:2.

Saint Spotlight

Saint Paul

In contemporary parlance, we might say that "Faith" is Saint Paul’s middle name. Over and over again, he writes of the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as the basis for understanding and living the Gospel. As he is such a famous saint, we tend to overlook the challenges he faced in his missionary life.

An extensive article on his life and background can be found at http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0708.asp.

Weekly feature

Great People of the Bible

Great People of the Bible