CRIMINAL A LIFE NIGHT ON THE PERSECUTED CHRIST

GOAL LIFE NIGHT OVERVIEW CRIMINAL A LIFE NIGHT ON THE PERSECUTED CHRIST The goal of Criminal is to present teenagers with the image of Jesus as a condemned criminal and challenges them to recognize that Christian persecution is still very real and often a part of following Christ. KEY CONCEPTS Jesus was condemned to die as a criminal; He was executed as an enemy of Rome and handed over by His own people. Jesus tells us that, if we follow Him, we will also encounter persecution and hatred. This should not discourage us; when we are persecuted for our faith we are really living it well. Christian persecution exists today in many parts of the world. We must unite with those that face criminal charges, persecution, and even death for their faith with our prayer. ABOUT THIS LIFE NIGHT This Life Night approaches a greater level of depth than previous Life Nights in the (Censored) series. The Life Night begins with a reading of the Passion narrative. This reading should involve the teenagers, a music minister to lead worship, and imagery that accompanies the text. This is followed by a period of journaling and a brief teaching about Christian persecution. Teenagers have an opportunity during the Break to discuss the image of Christ as a criminal and the reality of Christian persecution in small groups. The Life Night ends with a prayer for an end to Christian persecution. ENVIRONMENT The Environment for this Life Night is consistent with the rest of the (Censored) series. For this week, emphasize the cross with caution tape placed over it. MEDIA SUGGESTIONS Passion and Death, Life Teen Video, Life Support: September 2013 Stations of the Cross, Life Teen Video, Life Support: September 2013 KEY TERMS: Martyr SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10:22-24 Matthew 27 Luke 23 John 19 CATECHISM: CCC 545 CCC 595-598 CCC 606-609 SOCIAL MEDIA HASHTAGS: #CriminalChrist #CensoredChrist #StandforChrist AS YOU GET STARTED... For a different presentation of the Passion narrative, use the Tenebrae service found in the Life Night, Darkness, in the Paschal Mystery semester. For a more personal Proclaim, invite someone that has an experience of extreme Christian persecution to give a testimony about what it means to identify with Christ as criminal. 44 (CENSORED) SERIES 45

For a longer time of Eucharistic Adoration, proclaim the Passion Narrative, then expose the Blessed Sacrament and invite teenagers to pray and journal during this time. After Benediction, recite the prayer for persecuted Christians. HISPANIC INCULTURATION By Chris Martinez When talking about persecution, many Hispanics will identify with the persecution they experience through unjust immigration laws. There are many aspects to this persecution. To begin, immigrating legally is a lengthy, complicated, and expensive process that is impossible for most to complete because of lack of money and professional guidance. Next, many families are separated by the border and unable to visit each other because they don t have the necessary paperwork. This separation is lengthy and possibly lasts a lifetime. It causes a lot of heartache. You might have teens separated from family members or maybe even parents. Finally, throughout the United States there are laws, like SB1070, and government agencies, like ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which create fear in the Hispanic community. Parents may be fearful of filling out forms and having their address known because then ICE can find them. Sometimes parents are afraid of their teens going on a retreat because they think ICE will board the bus and export their children. Concerns like these are shared amongst the Hispanic community. However, they are often over exaggerated. As a youth minister, you must gain the parents trust. If a parent is hesitant about a form for a retreat, meet with them one-on-one and discuss their concerns. For the Proclaim, consider relating the fear, confusion, and isolation surrounding immigration to the persecution Christ endured. Encourage the teens to find Christ the criminal, or Christ the persecuted one, near to them when they suffer persecution, whether for immigration or for following Christ. St. Paul said, For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, than I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). We become strong when we remember that Christ first suffered and He is with us in our hardships. Being near to Christ bring us strength, His strength. Notes: _ 46 (CENSORED) SERIES 47

GATHER LIFE NIGHT: CRIMINAL Welcome and Prayer (5 min) Gather all of the teenagers together and welcome them to the Life Night. Introduce any teenagers that are attending for the first time. Explain that this Life Night will be a little different and that most of the Life Night will be prayer. Challenge the teenagers to really dive into this experience. PROCLAIM Passion of Christ (20 min) Read through the Passion narrative using audience participation. Reinforce this reading with images or video clips that are projected on a screen during the narrative. The Passion narrative can be found laid out in a skit style in many copies of the Sunday Missal or hymnals. This layout allows for different people to play the characters of Pilate, Herod, the crowds, and Jesus. Have the teenagers respond as the crowd. Ask Core Members, your parish priest and mature teens to play the other roles in the Passion narrative. Be sure to have the teenagers and Core Members practice before the Life Night begins. Invite your music minister to be present during this portion of the Life Night to lead worship. At various points in the Passion narrative, stop and invite the teenagers to worship and pray through music. Consider songs like Lead Me To The Cross by Hillsong United, You Were On The Cross by Matt Maher, and Were You There When They Crucified The Lord? Journaling (10 min) After the Passion narrative, allow the teenagers several minutes to journal their thoughts and reflections. The handout, Passion and Death, is found on the January 2016 Life Support USB or online at www.lifeteen.com under Life Support: January 2016. Criminal Teaching (15 min) The teaching for this Life Night is found on pages 51 to 57. BREAK Small Group Discussion (20 min) Divide the teenagers into their small groups for a time of discussion. The Core Member leading each group should begin in prayer and use the following questions to facilitate a discussion: What feelings or emotions does the image of Jesus as a criminal evoke in you? What was it like being part of the crowd during the Passion narrative? Do you feel like people would still react this way to Jesus today? Why or why not? Why do you think the disciples became afraid of being arrested? Would you be able to stand by Jesus in the same situation? Why or why not? Were you aware of how much Christian persecution still exists in the world? Do you ever face persecution or adversity because of your faith? Describe a time that this has happened. How can we support each other in our faith, as well as our brothers and sisters that face persecution? SEND Eucharistic Adoration (15 min) Invite your priest or deacon to be present to lead Eucharistic Adoration. As teenagers enter into the space for Eucharistic Adoration, pass out a map that highlights areas of Christian persecution. These maps can be found online at www.opendoorusa.org. 48 (CENSORED) SERIES 49

Prayer for Persecuted Christians Prior to the Life Night, research stories about modern day Christian martyrs. Tell one or two of these stories to the teens to reinforce the reality that Christian martyrdom and persecution is a present reality, not a past history. CRIMINAL PROCLAIM OUTLINE Invite the teenagers to take out their maps during Eucharistic Adoration and examine the areas of Christian persecution that exist in the world. The priest or youth minister then leads this reflection: Jesus was crucified as a criminal. After that, His disciples were martyred for following Him. Throughout the history of Christianity, this has remained true men and women throughout the world give up their lives rather than renounce the name of Jesus. Take a look at the map you are holding. These are all of the places in the world where Christian persecution exists. As we pray before the Blessed Sacrament, we are going to pray for each of these places. Look at the map and choose one spot specifically to pray for, and repeat this prayer with me: Lord Jesus Christ, You suffered and died for us. Bring courage to our brothers and sisters that experience persecution. Help them to not grow weary of following you. Put priests in their countries to administer the sacraments. Put holy men and women in their midst to encourage them. Transform our hearts to give what is necessary to support them. Lord, allow their example to convict us so that we would live out our faith without fear. We support them, Lord, in the midst of trial. Give us the same courage so that, if put to the test, we may uphold the glory of your name. We ask this, in your name, Amen. Challenge the teenagers to lift up the areas of the world that experience Christian persecution in prayer. Close with Benediction and by praying a Hail Mary for all Christians experiencing persecution. KEY WORDS Martyr: A person who is killed for their belief in Christ or their refusal to renounce Christ. TEACHING POINTS CONDEMNED AND CRUCIFIED Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king, and He found Himself standing trial as a criminal only a few days later. He was condemned to death. The major reasons for this turn of events were: The growing threat that Jesus was perceived to be by the religious leaders of the time (John 11:45-53, Mark 11:18, Mark 14:1-2). These same authorities convinced Judas, one of Jesus followers, to turn Him over (Mark 14:10). The Pharisees believed Jesus was guilty of blasphemy, since He made himself the Son of God. This crime was punishable by death under their law (John 18:31, CCC 596-597). Under Roman law, Jewish authorities were not allowed to execute criminals. Instead, they brought Jesus to Pilate and under the charge of conspiracy against Rome, since this was punishable by death under Roman law (John 19:12-16). Before Jesus was handed over for His trial and crucifixion, He said some important things to His disciples: 50 (CENSORED) SERIES 51

Read and project the following full verses: John 13:16, John 15:18, John 16:32-33 No slave is greater than the master. If people insulted Jesus, persecuted Jesus, and treated Jesus as a criminal they will do the same to us (Matthew 10:24). PERSECUTED BUT NEVER BROKEN For centuries following Jesus death, Christianity remained a capital offense. Persecution is a part of following Christ and there is no way to move beyond or around that. This doesn t mean that we will face persecution every single day. It does mean that we must be prepared to face resistance against our faith (Luke 14:27, CCC 1816). In many parts of the world Christian persecution is extreme. Practicing Christianity can result in imprisonment, heavy taxes, or even death. The last decade has seen an increase in Christian martyrs. Some organizations estimate that 322 Christians are killed for their faith each month. In response to persecution we must pray, unite our sufferings with the condemned Christ, and pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:43, Luke 23:34). VICTORY REMAINS Though Jesus was condemned, He was ultimately victorious. Even His death inspired conversion, just as the death of the martyrs would inspire faith in Christ. The next time you face opposition, mockery, persecution, or hatred for your faith, how will you respond? Jesus Christ knew that He would be condemned as a criminal, but that eternal life would be the end result. TEACHING CRIMINAL CONDEMNED AND CRUCIFIED PROCLAIM DETAILS Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king, and He found Himself standing trial as a criminal only a few days later. We are familiar with the image of Christ suffering and dying for our sins, but we don t always spend as much reflection on the events that led Jesus to the cross. One major event we may find ourselves skipping over is the trial of Christ. We may know the major pieces of the trial, but we must dive more deeply into the reasons why Jesus found Himself on trial and how He responded to them. Jesus entire life teaches us and challenges us, and His trial and death are no different. CCC 517, 599-600 First, Jesus was turned over because He upset the religious leaders of His time. From the moment He cleansed the temple to when He raised a man from the dead, the religious leaders saw Jesus as a growing threat. John 11:45-53, Mark 11:18, Mark 14:1-2 Jesus taught against the many false teachings of the Pharisees and challenged their power. He fulfilled the Law of God, whereas they corrupted the law to make it suit their needs. For this reason, they became fearful of Jesus and His followers and wanted to put Him to death. Jesus is betrayed by one of His own, Judas Iscariot, after Judas greed and envy clouded his judgment. From 52 (CENSORED) SERIES 53

this, a plot is enacted to turn Jesus over to the religious authorities and, ultimately, the Roman authorities. Mark 14:10 Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? We should remember that Judas was one of the 12 closest people to Jesus - he was not an outsider. Though Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, it still hurt. The religious authorities believed Jesus committed the crime of blasphemy because He called God His Father. Under Jewish law, this was punishable by death. However, under Roman law, the religious leaders did not have the authority to execute a person. John 18:31, CCC 596-597 So they brought Jesus to the Roman authorities and charged him with conspiracy against Rome, a charge that was punishable by death under Roman law. The religious leaders convinced Pontius Pilate that Jesus was a revolutionary and rebel who desired to overthrow Caesar and Rome. This charge was punishable by death specifically crucifixion. The act of crucifying a revolutionary sent a strong statement to anyone that would seek to overthrow or undermine the government. The religious authorities asserted that Jesus wanted to make Himself the King of the Jews and put Himself in opposition to Caesar s rule. John 19:12-16 Jesus trial is largely a mockery of justice, but the evidence that was presented to Pontius Pilate fit the description of a Jewish revolutionary something that was common during that time. In fact, the prisoner that is released instead of Jesus was a revolutionary. John 18:40, Luke 23:18-19 Why is this so important to us? Before Jesus was handed over for His trial and crucifixion, He said some important things to His disciples: Read and project the following full verses: John 13:16, John 15:18, John 16:32-33. Jesus is repeating a concept He has stated before: No slave is greater than the master. If people insulted Jesus, persecuted Jesus, and treated Jesus as a criminal they will do the same to us. PERSECUTED BUT NEVER BROKEN Matthew 10:24 We need to wrestle with the image of Jesus as a criminal, particularly a political one. For centuries following Jesus death, Christianity remained a capital offense. The promised persecution became a reality; despite this the Church continued to grow. How do we respond to persecution? It is a part of following Christ and there is no way to move beyond or around that. This doesn t mean that we will face persecution every single day. It does mean that if we aren t facing some resistance to our faith, at least occasionally, we may not be really living as disciples. Jesus said that a true disciple is carrying a cross are we willing to carry the cross of persecution? Luke 14:27, CCC 1816 In some parts of the world, persecution amounts to namecalling or shaming a person for their belief in Christ. This happens online, in schools, or even through mainstream media. Have you ever experienced this? How did you respond? However, in many parts of the world this persecution is more extreme. Practicing Christianity can result in imprisonment, heavy taxes, or even death. Some governments have laws against the practice of religion, while in other places Christianity is persecuted against on a local level through threats of violence, murder, rape, or kidnapping. 54 (CENSORED) SERIES 55

The last decade has seen an increase in Christian martyrs. Some organizations estimate that 322 Christians are killed for their faith each month. They are, in some cases, arrested as criminals like Jesus. Our brothers and sisters in faith stand trial, oftentimes mock trials, are condemned and then killed. Yet, these brave souls continue to practice their faith. In a way, it should make us feel guilty for taking down a religious Tweet or Instagram because we are afraid of being mocked or refusing to pray over a meal at school because we don t want to seem weird. The image of Jesus as a criminal is central to the Passion of Christ. We can t work around it. We also can t escape the promise of persecution regardless of how big or small. So how do we respond? First, we must respond in prayer. We pray for those that face extreme persecution around the world and we pray for the courage to face our moments of persecution well. Second, we must welcome persecution and unite our suffering with the condemned Christ. We stand in solidarity with our Lord when we are mocked and made fun of for our belief in Him. Third, we must pray for our persecutors. Jesus explicitly said we must love our enemies. Jesus lived this out in the most perfect way as He prayed for the people that nailed Him to a cross. VICTORY REMAINS Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 23:34 Though Jesus was condemned, He was ultimately victorious. Even His death inspired conversion, just as the death of the martyrs would inspire faith in Christ. Though we may face varying levels of persecution in our own lives, our faithful and courageous witness to Christ can have the same effect. We shouldn t be surprised when we face resistance for our faith, but we should be hopeful. Every situation where we experience persecution is an opportunity for grace, as well. We can offer up our persecution for those that suffer more severe levels of persecution, and we can also pray for those that need to come to know Christ especially our persecutors. The next time you face opposition, mockery, persecution or hatred for your faith, how will you respond? Jesus Christ knew that He would be condemned as a criminal, but that eternal life for Him and His people would be the end result. Do you trust that your suffering can help others know Jesus and gain eternal life? The reality is that it can. We must make the choice to follow Christ or not. Are we willing and able to walk in the footsteps of our Savior toward trial and the cross? Notes: 56 (CENSORED) SERIES 57

CORE TEAM OVERVIEW CRIMINAL: A Life Night on the Persecuted Christ GOAL: The goal of Criminal is to present teenagers with the image of Jesus as a condemned criminal and challenges them to recognize that Christian persecution is still very real and often a part of following Christ. GATHER (5 MINS): Welcome and Prayer: PROCLAIM (45 MINS): Passion of Christ : Journaling: Provide teenagers with the handout, Passion and Death. Criminal Teaching : BREAK (20 MINS): Small Group Discussion: What feelings or emotions does the image of Jesus as a criminal evoke in you? What was it like being part of the crowd during the Passion narrative? Do you feel like people would still react this way to Jesus today? Why or why not? Why do you think the disciples became afraid of being arrested? Would you be able to stand by Jesus in the same situation? Why or why not? Were you aware of how much Christian persecution still exists in the world? Do you ever face persecution or adversity because of your faith? Describe a time that this has happened. How can we support each other in our faith, as well as our brothers and sisters that face persecution? SEND (15 MINS): Eucharistic Adoration : Prayer for Persecuted Christians: Provide teenagers with a map of Christian persecution. Notes: 58 (CENSORED) SERIES 59