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T H E E VA N G E L I S T
May 12, 2011
YOUNG FAITH PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
JESUS, HELP ME BE LIKE A SHEEP: FIGURING OUT WHO’S GOOD AND STICKING WITH THEM. AMEN!
GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS
ANIMAL-LOVERS AND SHEPHERDS BY KATE BLAIN EDITOR
Talking about sheep and shepherds today is like when old people talk about records or cassette tapes: You can’t relate. You download your music to your iPod! A lot of kids reading this week’s Gospel (John 10:1-10) have never met a shepherd — but you’ve probably met some animal-lovers. You might even be one yourself! Animals know when someone likes them. A dog-lover will automatically put out her hand when a dog comes over and start petting it. A cat-lover will pat his lap when the cat walks by, inviting her to jump up. Sheep will also follow their shepherd, the guy who takes care of them. He brings them to fields with good grass to eat; he makes sure they have enough water and chases away the
“Anyone who sneaks into a sheep pen is a robber,” Jesus said; “but when the gatekeeper walks through the gate and calls his sheep, they know his voice and follow him. You’re like sheep, and I’m the gate — only people who come to you through me are safe to follow.” wolves and other predators that would attack them. In the Gospel story, Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd — an animal-lover — and we’re the sheep He cares for. If we trust our shepherd, He says, we’ll follow Him and believe that, even when we don’t see where we’re going, He’s taking us in the right direction. Animals also know when a person doesn’t like them. Dogs will bark at someone who acts
threatening; cats will run away or hiss. Sheep would be scared of someone they didn’t know sneaking in among them. Jesus said that’s a good thing: We should be scared of people who don’t come from God. If someone pretends to be good, but their actions don’t match their words, don’t trust them! Run away. You may never have met a shepherd, but the Gospel story is still easy to figure out!
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
Wired to be somebody BY CHARLIE MARTIN
Justin Bieber says that his new 7-track CD, “Never Say Never: The Remixes,” is his gift to his fans. The disc is meant to be a companion to his documentary concert film, “Never Say Never,” that features various well-known pop artists — and of course, Justin himself. Off this new CD is his current chart climber, “Born to Be Somebody,” and it’s important to consider its message. The song’s character says that “there’s a dream in my soul, a fire that’s deep inside me.” All of this creates “a me no one knows, waiting to be set free.” He can “feel it...believe” that he’s “here to stay...born to be somebody.” Thus, he resolves that nothing will stop him as he lights “up the sky like lightning.” This ambition makes sense if your goal is to become a worldrenowned pop/rock star. Fortunately for most teens, however, “to be somebody” doesn’t depend on such an accomplishment.
Who is the “somebody” that teens can aspire to become? This is the question that God wants each person to answer. God has a divine purpose for every human being. To fulfill that purpose, God has bestowed the necessary gifts. For teens to use these gifts, you’ll have to know yourself at deeper levels, recognizing what inspires and fills you with passion, and ask yourself: • “What do I just love to do?” • “How do I like to help others?” • “What do I do in my free time when I have nothing else to do?” The answers will provide a roadmap for developing your life that matches the purpose that God has placed in your soul. The next step in fulfilling one’s divine purpose for life is to trust — trust that God has a hand in the unfolding events of life and that God wills that only good happen, and courageously trust your own instincts and talents. This sense of trust comes through in “Born to Be Somebody.” Just as Justin had obsta-
cles to surmount in developing his musical career, you’ll find that perhaps not everyone is likely to support your efforts. You will have to decide if you still believe in what you hope to become. My advice to teens is this: Believing in what you want even when others don’t requires real trust. But what happens if you fail to achieve a goal? Does it make you less of a “somebody”? Of course not. You may set a goal, but you have nothing to prove, for you are made in the image and likeness of God and have a value beyond measure! Give up the proving and take on the dream. Delight in pursuing it. Aspire to bring more of God’s goodness and grace into your world through the “somebody” that God has already made you to be. (Your comments are appreciated. Write to chmartin@swindiana.net or 7125 West CR 200 South, Rockport, IN 47635.)
SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for May 15, 2011 John 10:1-10 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A: Jesus’ discourse about the role of the Good Shepherd. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle. I SAY CLIMBS IN SHEPHERD HEAR NAME STRANGER PASTURE
ENTER A THIEF SHEEP HIS VOICE LEADS THEM JESUS STEAL
SHEEPFOLD A ROBBER GATEKEEPER HIS OWN FOLLOW CAME BEFORE DESTROY
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“BORN TO BE SOMEBODY” There’s a dream in my soul A fire that’s deep inside me There’s a me no one knows Waiting to be set free I’m gonna see that day I can feel it/I can taste it Change is coming my way I was born to be somebody Ain’t nothing that’s ever gonna stop me I light up the sky like lightning I’m gonna rise above/Show ‘em what I’m made of I was born to be somebody/I was born to be And this world will belong to me This life can kick you around This world can make you feel small They will not keep me down I was born to stand tall I’m going all the way I can feel it/I believe it I’m here/I’m here to stay I was born to be somebody Ain’t nothin’ that’s ever gonna stop me (no, no) I light up the sky like lightning I’m gonna rise above/Show ‘em what I’m made of I was born to be somebody/I was born to be And this world will belong to me Feel it/Believe it/Dream it/Be it I was born to be somebody (born to be) Ain’t nothing that’s ever gonna stop me (no, no) I’ll light up the sky like lightning I’m gonna rise above/Show ‘em what I’m made of I was born to be somebody/I was born to be And this world will belong to me Sung by Justin Bieber; Copyright 2011 by Island Records
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T H E E VA N G E L I S T
May 26, 2011
YOUNG FAITH PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
JESUS, HELP ME REMEMBER NOT TO “CROSS THE LINE” BY BREAKING MY FAMILY’S RULES — OR YOURS! AMEN.
GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS
DON’T CROSS THAT LINE BY KATE BLAIN EDITOR
Every kid knows there are lines you can’t cross with your parents: for instance, if you say a certain bad word, your mother will be furious and you’ll automatically be grounded. You might say other things she doesn’t like and get away with it, but say that particular word and you have crossed the line! This week’s Gospel (John 14:15-21) is about lines you can’t cross with God. Jesus knows that it’s tough for people to obey a million rules — that everyone is human and makes mistakes. Instead of making a giant list of rules like, “Wash your hands before dinner,” He focuses on the behaviors that are crossing the line.
“If you love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said. “Whoever does that is someone who loves me. My father will love them, and I will love them and be with them, too.” Maybe your mother does not want to hear certain words out of your mouth. She can’t control everything you do, but she hopes that, if you know some things cross the line, you’ll think twice about saying any bad words! For Jesus, breaking the Ten Commandments is crossing the line: killing, stealing, lying, jealousy, being disrespectful to God or other people and so on.
Those are the most basic rules God gave the world — and Jesus said that breaking them shows you don’t love God very much. If you want to be happy and not get grounded or have privileges taken away, you don’t cross the lines your parents draw. In the Gospel story, Jesus reminded us not to cross lines with God, either. God loves you, He said, and wants to be close to you always!
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
Considerations before marriage BY CHARLIE MARTIN
Is Colbie Caillat the new queen of soft rock? No official recording association has so titled her, but her amazing success continues to grow. Her latest single, “I Do,” was released as an MP3 download and is meant to draw attention to her forthcoming third studio album. The song’s character relates how she has tried to avoid staying in a romance that might lead to marriage. “I never wanted to be anybody’s other half,” she says. But her new romance has changed her mind; she exclaims, “Just look at what we got ourselves into!” Now, she is ready to say “I do.” The song invites us to consider what constitutes a readiness for marriage. How would you know that you are in a relationship strong enough to say “I do?” Consider these questions: • Do you have an active and satisfying life outside of the relationship? Marriage is not supposed to “fix” a life that feels empty. While a good relationship surely adds to one’s sense of well-being, it is not your partner’s job to make you happy.
God gave you talent and abilities to help others and create a meaningful life for yourself, and enduring marriages are partnerships between two people who are already engaged with life. Be wary if you think getting married will make up for what seems to be missing in your life. • Are you ready to consistently care about another’s needs and hopes? In the song, the girl states that “it’s always been about me, myself and I.” Such an attitude is a far stretch from what marriage requires of a husband and wife. Marriage involves much more giving than receiving. Your “I” still counts, but so does your partner’s. • Has your relationship successfully navigated through some problems and conflicts? Even when two people pledge love to each other, they still remain individuals. This means that you and your partner are likely to have different perspectives and at times even contrary goals. You aren’t ready for marriage unless you know how to respect and be fair in the face of your differences. Moreover, developed communication skills are needed to
resolve conflict. As a pastoral counselor, I find that replaying rather than resolving conflict is a major stress on a marriage. If you haven’t had any problems, or if these problems remain unsuccessfully worked out, you are not ready for marriage. • Do you respect each other’s values? Values are what determine one’s choices. You are not ready for marriage if there is a noticeable gap between what you and your partner see as very important in life. • Do both of you value a relationship with God? Even in the most “ready” relationships, marriage is a challenge. There is so much to learn and so much to give. You’re going to need God’s help, which is one reason why marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic Church. Marriage is foremost a spiritual partnership that allows both of you to find more and more of the good that God has placed within each of you. Don’t attempt marriage without a clear sense that both of you will continue to seek God’s help as you enter a lifetime of loving each other.
SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for May 29, 2011 John 14:15-21 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A: the promise of the Holy Spirit. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle. YOU LOVE ME GIVE YOU TRUTH SEES LEAVE YOU SEE ME KEEPS
COMMANDMENTS ANOTHER THE WORLD KNOWS HIM COME TO YOU I LIVE
FATHER SPIRIT CANNOT BE IN YOU LITTLE WHILE THAT DAY LOVES ME
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“I DO” It’s always been about me, myself and I If all relationships were nothing but a waste of time I never wanted to be anybody’s other half I was happy saying that our love wouldn’t last That was the only way I knew till I met you You make we wanna say/I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do Yeah, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do ‘Cause every time before it’s been like Maybe yes and maybe no I can live without it, I can let it go Ooh, what did I get myself into? You make we wanna say I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do Tell me is it only me, do you feel the same? You know me well enough to know that I’m not playing games I promise I won’t turn around and I won’t let you down You can trust I’ve never felt it like I feel it now Baby there’s nothing, there’s nothing we can’t get through So can we say/I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do Oh baby, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do ‘Cause every time before it’s been like Maybe yes and maybe no I won’t live without it, I won’t let it go Whoa, what can I get myself into? You make we wanna say/Me, a family, a house, a family Ooh, can we be a family? And when I’m 80 years old I’m sitting next to you And we’ll remember when we said I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do Oh baby, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do do ‘Cause every time before it’s been like Maybe yes and maybe no No, I won’t live without it, I won’t let us go Just look at what we got ourselves into You make we wanna say I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do Love you Sung by Colbie Caillat Copyright 2011 by Universal Republic Records
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T H E E VA N G E L I S T
August 25, 2011
YOUNG FAITH PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
JESUS, HELP ME BE THERE FOR FRIENDS IN HARD TIMES, WITHOUT TRYING TO FIX THEM! AMEN.
GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS
WHEN A FRIEND STRUGGLES BY KATE BLAIN EDITOR
It hurts to see friends go through hard times. When a friend breaks up with someone, has a parent who loses a job or has a death in the family, you feel some of their pain yourself. You want to help, but it’s hard to know how to act or what to say. In this week’s Gospel (Matthew 16:21-27), the Apostles were feeling Jesus’ pain. Jesus was struggling with the knowledge that He would soon suffer and die on the cross — a terrible thing to face. His friends, the Apostles, were struggling to understand that this had to happen in order for Jesus to save the world. They didn’t want to lose Jesus, and they felt totally helpless to change the situation. When someone is going through a loss or other struggle,
Jesus told the Apostles that He would soon die to save the world. They were sad and angry at losing Him, and Peter yelled, “That should never happen to you!” “Get away from me, Satan!” Jesus answered. “You’re thinking like a person, not like God.” even the best friend doesn’t usually have answers. You can’t fix what has happened — just like the Apostles couldn’t fix what was happening to Jesus. (In fact, He yelled at Peter for trying!) All you can do is be there for the person. If you talk too much, you might forget to listen — and your friend probably needs to talk. Sometimes, just hanging out and doing nothing can be helpful. Sending a text saying,
“Hey, just checking in,” and asking to get together can be helpful. Don’t take it personally if your friend isn’t up for that yet, either. Even Jesus snapped at Peter when He was feeling emotional. Hard times don’t last forever — but a good friendship can. The Apostles learned that, when Jesus was no longer on earth, He’d still be with them from heaven!
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
Avoid unnecessary goodbyes BY CHARLIE MARTIN
C AT H O L I C N E WS S E RV I C E
David Cook’s new CD, “The Loud Morning,” was released in June. Cook was the winner of the seventh “American Idol” season. He went on to set several Billboard chart records soon after that with his first album. Since that time, his personal life has gone through several challenges, but now he is back with a decidedly up-tempo disc with songs that offer serious reflection on life’s difficulties. Pre-released off the new album was the single “The Last Goodbye.” The song addresses a reality that affects many romantic relationships: timing. In speaking to his former lover, the guy in the song says, “I didn’t want to lose you” or “leave you with a broken heart.” He admits that they “were almost beautiful,” but he also sees that they “were never possible.” In his view, they “were everything... right [but] at the wrong time.” Timing does significantly affect what can happen in a
romance. For example, if you fall in love with someone during the summer, but you both are headed off to schools in the fall that are a distance apart, you may need to let go of the relationship. Another example concerns someone who has just come out of a broken relationship but becomes involved in a new romance when he or she is not ready emotionally. Healing from the hurt in the past has to take place first, since the reservoir of trust and openness needed to establish a healthy relationship is not there. Timing determines much of what manifests itself in many areas of life. Remember that trusting the timing of a situation begins with trusting the guidance of God in your life. God wants you to experience the greatest good possible. When the timing is wrong and a situation doesn’t work out, reflect upon what has happened, determine what you can learn from it and realize that God continues to guide your life — and
desires your trust. As opportunities for new relationships emerge, be honest, asking yourself if the timing is right. Are you prepared for whatever responsibilities may be involved? The song’s character could have avoided breaking the girl’s heart by slowing down his involvement in the relationship and considering whether he could offer her what she needed. He could have told her that he was not ready for a committed relationship. Recognizing this fact might have brought sadness into their lives, but his willingness to speak the truth would have demonstrated genuine caring for her. God should be asked for the grace to be honest in any relationship. Love is a treasure that should not be given only to be taken away. (Your comments are always welcome at chmartin@swindiana.net or 7125 West 200 South, Rockport, Ind. 47635.)
SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for August 28, 2011 Matthew 16:21-27 Following is a word search based on the Gospel nd reading for 22 Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A: Peter presents the easy way out. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle. DISCIPLES BE KILLED ASIDE BEHIND ME TAKE UP WORLD ANGELS
HE MUST GO THIRD DAY GOD FORBID SATAN FOLLOW ME FORFEIT GLORY
SUFFER PETER LORD DENY PROFIT SON OF MAN REPAY
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“THE LAST GOODBYE” If you hear this on the radio Then we’ve already said our last goodbye I won’t be there when you get home By now there’s someone else that hears you cry I wonder if he holds you like I did I hope that he can love you better Cause we were everything that’s right at the wrong time I didn’t want to lose you Leave you with a broken heart But wherever we are, we’re miles apart I know that we tried, but this is the last goodbye Oh, I didn’t want to let you go But wherever we are, we’re miles apart I know that we tried, but this is the last goodbye We were almost beautiful A broken piece of art put on display But we were never possible Another perfect moment thrown away I know somebody out there will love you They’ll be the forever we never were Cause we were everything that’s right at the wrong time If you hear this on the radio Then we’ve already said our last goodbye, our last goodbye I didn’t want to lose you Leave you with a broken heart But wherever we are, we’re miles apart I know that we tried, but this is the last goodbye Ohhh, ohhh (the last goodbye) ohhh I know that we tried, but this is the last goodbye Sung by David Cook Copyright 2011 by RCA