The Way Retreat
Third Talk

THIRD TALK: More than a “Feeling”

Opening Song

All of us have had experiences which have changed our lives. Some of these changes are temporary. We may feel excited for a day or two, or even for several weeks, but them the feeling goes away. We settle back into our old ways and routines. Other changes, however, are deeper. We’ve all had moments of joy or excitement which will forever influence the way we live, act, think, and relate to others and to ourselves.

Give an example from your own life. Mention how you changed as a result of your experience.

The day after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He entered the city of Jerusalem. News of His miracle had spread far and wide. Many felt a sense of joy because of Lazarus, and they went out to greet Jesus as He entered the city. Because He had raised Lazarus, they gave Jesus a “hero’s welcome,” waving palm branches and shouting:

__________: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel!

The crowd that was present when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead kept telling others about it. More and more people became curious, running to meet Jesus. But the leaders of the people became all the more jealous.

__________: See! There’s nothing we can do! The whole world is running out to meet this Jesus!

Surely the resurrection of Lazarus was exciting news. But the excitement which it produced was short-lived. Many who claimed to believe in Jesus because of this miracle soon lost interest. They were excited about what happened, but it didn’t change them. On Palm Sunday they cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel!” A few days later, after Jesus was arrested and put on trial, the same crowd demanded, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him! We have no King but Caesar! Crucify Him!” They failed to see one very important thing: Jesus did not raise Lazarus to make people “feel good”. He did it to challenge people to respond to God’s love – the thing that made what happened happen! It was as if Jesus had said, “If you only respond to your feelings, you’ll never change your lives – you’ll never change your attitudes – you’ll never find true love.” My response to God involves more than feelings. It requires a change in attitude.

Give an example of something which you responded to purely on the level of “feelings.” What happened after the feeling left? Why did the experience produce no permanent change in you or in your relationships?

Above all, love is an attitude, not a feeling. Love is built on concern and care, not on “good feelings.” Jesus raised Lazarus because He loved Lazarus, not because He wanted to feel good. While knowing that we are loved does make us feel good, we need to know that we are love because others sincerely care about our well being.

Give an example of someone who loves you. Why is his or her love more than just a “feeling”?

Love is unconditional. When Jesus showed His love for others, there were no strings attached. He didn’t expect anything in return. He didn’t say, “I’ll help you if you love me,” and He didn’t think, “Okay, I’ll heal you as long as I get something out of it.” He raised Lazarus because He loved Lazarus – even though He knew others would criticize and condemn Him for what He did. Even His disciples warned Him not to go to Bethany. Jesus’ love overcame every condition, every fear.

Give an example of someone who loves you unconditionally. How do you try to return his or her love?

Love helps me overcome obstacles in life. Jesus met people who were jealous of Him, who resented Him, who refused to listen to Him, who criticized Him, who were phony with Him, and who ultimately killed Him. During His life on earth, most people rejected Jesus and refused to respond to Him. Yet He never gave up. He refused to say, “The hell with this – I don’ need this – I can’t hack this – Find another Savior.” Because of His loving attitude, He overcame every obstacle.

Give an example of an obstacle you overcame because of love.

Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem challenges us to take a deep look at our own attitudes. Do we love God and others because it makes us “feel good,” or because we are genuinely concerned about them? Do we, like the crowds who greeted Jesus on Palm Sunday, love others as long as we feel good, only to drop them when the good feelings wear off? Do we, like Jesus, love others, expecting nothing in return, or do we keep demanding more and more miracles from others to keep love alive? As we bless these palms, let us recommit ourselves to loving others as Jesus loved us.

Faith Celebration:

Palm crosses are distributed to all. Father will bless them and invite everyone to pin them on another person.

Closing Song

Small Group Discussion 3

Begin by sharing your reactions to the talk. What point struck you the most? Invite the candidates to do the same.

Give an example in your own life of someone who loves you unconditionally and out of a genuine sense of concern. How do you respond to this person. Invite the candidates to do the same.

Finally, give an example of someone who loves you but whom you sometimes fail to love in return. What might you do to show your loving attitude more clearly? Invite the candidates to do the same.

Ask for a candidate to share this last point during “Reactions.”

Reactions

		Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Orthodox Church in America PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791 http://yya.oca.org yyacm@oca.org The Hub | Back to top