Lent 2013

Lent is traditionally a season of "prayer, fasting, and service." I am trying to incorporate all three of these aspects in my journey throughout Lent. Instead of giving up something specific such as candy or soda, I am looking to give back to my community. Each day, I am trying to generate an act of kindness for one person. I want to do something that will not only positively affect my life but also the lives of those in my community. Over the next 6 weeks, I want to create a closer relationship with my friends, family, and especially God. I also want to be able to put a smile on other people's faces. My personal theme this Lent is appreciation because I want to appreciate everything God has blessed me with in my life. I also want to appreciate all of the friendships I have created over these past four years because I know I will be moving on to a new life in college soon.

Roses in December

I enjoyed viewing the documentary "Roses in December" because before viewing this film I barely knew anything about these four women. S. Ita Ford, S. Maura Clarke, S. Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan were women who devoted their lives to God no matter the circumstances. I admire one woman in particular, Jean Donovan, because she left her entire life behind to follow God's calling or her vocation. If I could ask Jean Donovan two questions, they would be: "How could you go back to El Salvador even when you knew you probably would not return home?" "How did you know you were meant to go back to El Salvador and help others?" I agree that every catholic should be familiar with S. Ita Ford, S. Maura Clarke, S. Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan because we should know all those who risked their lives in order to serve God and help others. Following God's calling is one of the most important duties of a catholic.

Theology of Suffering

In the article, "The Mystery of Suffering: How Should I Respond?" Kenneth R. Overberg identifies 3 important points about Jesus and suffering. These points include: Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering, Jesus rejected suffering as punishment for sin, and Jesus trusted a compassionate, present God. Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering and healed those in need of his care. Jesus was not discriminatory and helped any person suffering until they were healed. Jesus rejected suffering as punishment for sin by seeing the good in all people and giving each person an endless amount of chances. Jesus does not want any person to suffer for their sins, but, instead confess the sins and build a stronger relationship with Him. Jesus trusted a compassionate, present God because He knew that God put him on this earth to save our sins, and He knew He needed to follow this mission. Jesus never questioned God's orders because his faith and love for God are insurmountable.

The two traditional interpretations of Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection are "A Theology of Atonement/Ransom" and "A Theology of Incarnation". In the practices of sacrifice and atonement, Hebrews believed that the blood of the sacrificed animal symbolized the life of the person or community and pouring the blood on the altar was a symbolic gesture reuniting life with God. The sacrifices were an expression of the people's desire for reconciliation and union with God. This interpretation does not sound like something God would make us do in order to form union and obtain reconciliation from Him. "A Theology of Incarnation" is a more religious approach rooted in the Christian tradition. Incarnation is God's first thought, the original design for all creation and God shares life and love in a unique and definitive way. I agree with "A Theology of Incarnation" because in this God is seen as gracious and sharing life and love in creation and in the incarnation.