Thursday, July 16

‡Turned in our packets from yesterday. Received the 10 Blocks of the Church packet. Went over the Gospel of Luke's "three lost things": coin, sheep, son. It was determined that they are largely conveying knowledge of God. Discussed the four levels of belief about God: Yes (theism), No (atheism), Cannot Know (agnostic), and Not Caring (indifference).
Went over key teachings of Jesus: Beatitudes, MT 25 (Judgment of Nations), Greatest Commandment, Rich Young Man, Major ideas of the Sermon on the Mount, significance of the words 'Christ' and 'Son of Man'.
‡We broke into small groups and worked on bracketology to determine the major concepts of the New Testament, such as terms, characters, images, passages, etc. This was good review for me!
For the last part of class we worked on and completed our course evaluation forms.
‡Tonight's homework: Study for the final EXAM tomorrow! Look at old tests and the If you haven't already, turn in your Portrait of Jesus assignment in class tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 15

Today we began class with each of us saying something we were thankful for from freshman year. I am surely very thankful for SLUH's amazing cross-country program. I made many new friends and found something I really enjoyed!
‡We briefly went over the Catholic Source Book (p.242) in the textbook.
Received a crossword puzzle handout for exam review. Discussed a little bit about the exam- not scantron. Witness to Faith presentations today included Maximilian Kolbe and Tom Dooley, a SLUH graduate who was born here in St. Louis! Out of the presentations today, his life story inspired me the most probably because I can connect, him going to SLUH also. He set up hospitals in Laos and saw mass suffering. He even continued to carry out his service to humanity through his deadly illness. He is an excellent role model!
‡For the majority of class, we worked in our 'pods' on a Catholic Social Teaching project. It really got me thinking about WHY I believe what I believe now about current issues of the world today. I learned how to find out about teachings of the Church as well as those of Jesus by using various sources. I discovered that Jesus' teachings and those of the Church are not always EXACTLY the same! I personally think this project was one of the tougher ones but it really got me thinking.
‡Homework: Continue to study for the exam (largely our old tests!); Finish up Portrait of Jesus assignment; Complete page 5 on the Catholic Social Teaching assignment.

Tuesday, July 14

‡Class today began with prayer on p. 239. Took Chapter 8 test.
Witness to Faith presentations included Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, both of whom actively fought for civil rights in South Africa.
‡I chose my favorite passage [1 Corinthians 13:4-13] written by Paul, regarding Love. We did three level interpretations on them. From my passage, I believe that God is calling me to be open to new friendships and to be patient with my family.
Something important that I remember from class today is when we were talking about the Four Marks of the Church. I was surprised to find out what HOLY truly meant- not strictly religious, but anything that is personally special to us and therefore set aside.
‡Homework: Review all notes for exam Friday! Check out Mr. Sciuto's textbook vocab directory to help in studying! On our own, tonight we should research Sr. Maria Skobtsova and Oscar Romero. All extra-credit is due tomorrow at the latest!
ALSO: CHECK OUT THE WATER PROJECT!

Monday, July 13

As we began our final week of class, we discussed our final HW assignment in detail.
Witness to faith presentations today included Fern Holland, a incredible woman who left the safety of the US to legally defend the rights of women in Iraq. She is a role model because she did not let threats stop her and stood up to men. Miguel Pro was yet another martyr for his faith and prayed for executors and proclaimed, "Viva Cristo Rey", which translates to "Long live, Christ the King." Cristo Rey is now a unique movement of Catholic schools across America.
‡Class discussed more of Stephen's discourse, yesterday's readings at Mass, and James' role in the Council of Jerusalem. I realized that the disciples on the road to Eumaeus were going away from Jerusalem to escape persecution!
‡We watched the movie, The Story of Paul the Apostle (History Channel). For me personally, it was mostly review but it helped solidify information about the Council of Jerusalem and put into perspective WHEN Paul wrote each of letters and to whom. It seemed to go along with the textbook.
After the movie, the class briefly talked about important papal encyclicals of Pope John Paul II as well as Pope Benedict XVI.
‡Tonight's homework: Finish up Ch. 8; Test tomorrow! Continue working on Portrait of Jesus [Final] HW assignment; bring in our favorite reading from Paul's letters. If not completed, the course evaluation form is due tomorrow also.

Friday, July 10

Class today began with the Prayer for Generosity; then took chapter 7 test. It included the entire quiz (Jesuit terms) from yesterday! The snail in a well question got me. I didn't count the steps right! Anyways, I'll know for next time.
We finished up the rest of the Portrait of a Radical movie, I enjoyed it because well-educated men stepped back and looked at Jesus' life practically, and how he was so revolutionary for his time.
The witness to faith presentation today was on Lacey Mosley, of the band Fly Leaf. She experienced a major conversion by going to church! On our own, we should learn about Alfred Delp, S.J.
We went over evidence of the Resurrection. Apart from the consistent records of visits from women and hundreds of witnesses, Simple: It is the only reason why the frightened disciples would just suddenly come out of hiding to spread the Good News of Jesus. Reviewed ch 7 and compared all of the prominent religions of the world today- they all have similar meanings!
‡Homework: Begin Ch. 8 in text, test next Tuesday; Complete 4 question worksheet, [unofficial] course evaluation form, and look over the Jews' News handout we received today. *Continue working on Final HW assignment.

Thursday, July 9

Got our ch. 6 tests back, corrected; Class took a quiz on the key Jesuit terms/ideals. [back of quiz -->]I'd say that the most significant tests in 'this' have been the beginning of the course. The Introduction & Chapter 1 test was quite difficult because of the many new terms. I'm going to study the key Jesuit terms for the test tomorrow, since there won't be a chart on the back.
Witness to Faith presentations today included Sophie Scholl, a German girl who participated in the White Rose, an anti-Hitler group. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was also a true model of faith because he had everything going for him in America but chose to return to Germany to speak out against German churches and to aid Jews. From what I understand, he was totally selfless and put others first.
Class received a reflection handout today that will be due Monday, it has several questions on the course so far.
In class, we were discussing assorted concepts about Jesus when Jesus' questioning of Peter three times came up. Something that hit me today was the fact that Jesus asked Peter THREE times if he loved Jesus. It's ironic because Peter DENIED Jesus THREE times.
Towards the end of class, we watched a movie called Portrait of a Radical. It uncovered just HOW revolutionary Jesus was and how He has been misunderstood by many. His social actions were very unlike those of other men during the time period.
Today's homework: Finish up Ch. 7 (Acts), Test tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 8

Morning prayer was a musical version of the Suscipe, which I learned is the song we always heard before prayer services Freshman year.
Witness to faith presentations today included Albert Pujols and the Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador. I had known about Pujols' service work and "family first" attitude, but I had never even heard of the Martyrs of El Salvador! From my understanding, they were dedicated to justice and attempted to pick a side in a messy situation.
Jesuit contemplation involves a person reading the passage as if they were there, putting themselves in the action. What would we have done in this situation??
What stuck out from class today was our conversation about why are there are often John 3:16 signs at sporting events! This would be interesting to find out why.
Also, I was surprised to find out how many popular movies/books have recurring light vs. dark (good vs. evil) themes! We should all have this struggle going on inside us if we are pursuing good.
‡Homework tonight: I need to continue working on my final HW assignment. Study Jesuit Preamble & Ideals for quiz tomorrow. Start chapter 7 (Acts); test Friday!
FOUND A GOOD CHRISTIAN BAND: "RELIENT K"

Tuesday, July 7

In class today, we got our Ch. 5 tests back. Class prayed prayer from text. (p.175)
Compared light and dark, and why do we sin / Why do good people do evil things?? Well, sometimes we indeed think we are doing the right thing but truly we are not. We sin because, at times, the wrong path is more easy or more fun.
Presented Pedro Arrupe, Jack M presented John Brown. The class had a discussion of key Jesuit terms (such as: magis, double standards, AMDG, Spiritual Exercises, etc.) I wish I can have the JGTBH (Just Glad To Be Here) attitude in all the things I do.
We discussed the events of Ignatius' life; because he was a soldier, the Jesuit order was set up like a military structure! I think that's really neat and finally makes sense after researching Arrupe. Class received a course evaluation form with a 3 Level Interpretation to do on the back.
How many sacraments are there? I learned that nuns/religious sisters do NOT take Holy Orders; therefore, women can only receive SIX sacraments!
The idea that really stood out to me today was the realization that the Gospels present Jesus having DIFFERENT last words. This is because they have different audiences and were written for different purposes. I also learned that when Mark and Matthew present Jesus saying, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?", it can be interpreted that it is NOT a humanly cry of despair and submission but a reference to the Old Testament (Psalm 22), a psalm of praise and glorification to God!
Homework: Work on final homework project, study for Ch. 6 (John) test tomorrow!

WEEK FOUR - Monday, July 6

In class today, we began by reading a prayer on p.147. I learned what Deuteronomic Dualism was; that belief that we will be rewarded here and now. For me, this shed some light on why the Jews at the time of Jesus did not wish to interact with the poor and sick, for fear they would become "impure". Since there wasn't really any belief in an afterlife with God, they wished to remain [ritually] clean/pure during their worldly life. They thought that the sick and poor of society were the sinners, those unfavored by God. Jesus seemed to preach the opposite of this belief when he came.
We got our chapter 4 tests back and corrected them. Remember to PAY ATTENTION in class before tests for material that could be tested on!! Took Ch 5 Test, turned in Witness to Faith hard copies. I will present my Pedro Arrupe report in class tomorrow.
The class watched a movie called How Jesus Died: The Final 18 Hours. It made me cringe at times as experts explained medically the extreme anguish and pain Jesus suffered in the final hours of his life. Visually watching the driving of the nails during the Crucifixion shocked me the most. The class briefly described funeral settings; then settings in general - where we are when we best encounter God. (Compared Mark 1 with Isaiah 43, which differ only in punctuation..) I best encounter God in nature while I'm out running by myself. It's an awesome experience.
Homework: Get started on the "Final NT Assignment" (yellow handout). Begin Chapter 6 in text (John), Test Wednesday!

Wednesday, July 1

At the beginning of class, we read a prayer from p. 119. Jesus suffered in SILENCE to save all of our sins. After the prayer, class took the Chapter 4 test. We picked up an Extra-Credit sheet for the class and discussed it. I think it's really cool how the possible projects can be small and simple, yet meaningful to the person who does them in a close way. We talked about the right way we should act if we want to be Jesus' disciples. In this, we compared the publics' reactions to Jesus' death vs. Michael Jackson's death. Quite unlike the death of Michael Jackson, Jesus' followers hid themselves and denied knowing Jesus in the time he needed it most! (quiet vs. blownout)
For the remainder of class, we worked on our Witness to Faith projects. I helped some people and am now working on making a quoted memorial picture of Jake Ritz. After finishing up my homework, I was able to find a web server (000 WebHost) to host my webpage. [Now linked from this blog] After the last day of the third week, I actually think the class is pretty challenging but most students can do well if they STAY ORGANIZED. I have found that is key. I enjoy this class because we all equally have a chance to participate, especially through unique extra-credit projects such as this blog. It helps me to stay organized and remember what happens in class each day.
There will be no class tomorrow (Thursday) and we are also off this Friday the 3rd.
For homework: Read, take notes, and study for Chapter 5 (Gospel of Luke) Test on Monday!