Entertaining Angels

6. “At their beach party, Forster, baiting Dorothy accuses the church of ‘“sucking all the joy right out of life.’”  What kinds of ‘joys’ is Forster talking about?  Does the church offer other ‘joys’ in exchange?

At the beach party, Forster was hoping that Dorothy would stop being involved with the Church because her involvement embarrassed himself and his friends.  The ‘joys’ in which Forster is referring is freedom, atheism, and apathy they previously shared.  However, participating in the Church offers one companionship, tradition, guidance, and support.  Dorothy was searching for all of these aforementioned joys in her life prior to becoming active in the Church.   

In the Land of Invisible Women

What I find most disturbing about the lives in which the Yemeni women must endure is the oppression. Unfortunately, girls are the inferior race. In America, women are seen as equals to men. Because of this, American women do not specifically need to cover up in the restrictive outfits (burkas) in which the Yemeni women wear. American women have the opportunity to express themselves, given by the Amendments. I recognize how fortunate I am to live in the United States.

Hotel Rwanda

Unfortunately, I think that Jack was right with his blunt comment. Many people have a routine of watching the news and viewing horrendous sites. It is as if we have become immune to these violent acts because they are typically reported on by the news stations. However, watching these events does create awareness in the individuals. They may be stunned or feel sympathetic. Since Jack is right, I would try to get people to help. However, I think that apathy may exist because these actions are taking place in Rwanda and do not affect the television viewers. Therefore, raising awareness would be difficult.

Can Forgiveness Play a role in Criminal Justice?

I have never heard of the term “restorative justice” before reading this article.  I think it definitely holds true to the definition of Catholic Social teaching because it offers the victims, the offender, and the community an alternative to come to grips with the past and make a new future.  I wish restorative justice were an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system; however, I think this system is not realistic.  A special person is required to help settle these restorative justice cases because of the demand of patience.  I feel that McBride is a unique example of the outcomes of restorative justice cases.  Therefore, I am not sure on how effective the time and effort the moderator of the restorative justices cases would be.

Conclave 2013

If I had the opportunity to voice my opinion on what kind of man I would like to see elected pope, I would want him to be an American because he is imbued with the inherent American characteristics such as hard work.  As I have learned from my AP Government and Politics class, most Americans consider themselves as moderates—neither liberal nor conservative.  Therefore, I believe that this man would take this view into consideration during his papacy.  In addition, this man would want the Roman Catholic Church to become modernized.  With our previous pope, the Roman Catholic Church has reverted back to tradition by including literal translations of prayers into masses.

To generalize, I believe that most people are searching for a higher power in their lives.  If the Roman Catholic Church becomes more modernized, more individuals will become persuaded to join the Roman Catholic Church family.  

Lent 2013

For this Lenten season, I would call my personal theme: appreciation.  I would like to become more appreciative during these upcoming six weeks.  I am always busy doing homework from AP and Honors classes, running three sports-a-year, being Vice President of Spanish Honor Society, etc., that it is sometimes hard to “stop and smell the roses.”  Therefore, I am extremely grateful that I am taking this theology class during the Lenten season because I am provided with an opportunity during class prayer to relax and reflect.  It sometimes is easy to forget how fortune we all are for going to the Mount and for our good health.   

Roses in December

Before I watched Roses in December, I heard the name of Jean Donovan; however, I did not know why she was famous.  I think that Jean Donovan provides an excellent example in which lay people, as well as sisters, can serve as a missionary.  I agree with the opinion of the writer because these four women should be remembered for their commitment to service in El Salvador, a time of much conflict.  These women exemplified bravery, especially Jean Donovan, because she remained in El Salvador despite her family’s concern.  The writer thought this was important because these women were revolutionaries—they had positive energy in an area filled with warfare.

Theology of Suffering

The first point Overberg makes in his article is “Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering.” Throughout the Bible, parables give us examples of the ways in which Jesus eliminated suffering, for example, by curing the leper. In my opinion, Jesus provided us with examples of how we, too, can perform good actions that overcome any form of suffering. The second point is “Jesus rejected suffering as punishment for sin.” In my opinion, Jesus showed how suffering is not a form of vengeance for one’s sins. Unfortunately, mental, physical, or emotional suffering happens to all humans because it is part of our human condition. The third point included is “Jesus trusted a compassionate, present God.” I believe that we always have to have faith that God is always present, even if we cannot see him. The first is the via negativa interpretation, a view held especially by St. Augustine. One believes that since Jesus suffered, therefore, we need to suffer as well by sacrificing. God is portrayed as revengeful and feared. The second interpretation encompasses the via positiva. This view believes that Jesus was the final sacrifice, saving us from death. God is portrayed as loving and comforting. I prefer the later because it provides me with form of hope in the afterlife.