Jack Berger
Theology
What I Really Learned Essay
This year has been a new experience of theology for me. With Junior Morality we moved away from the traditional Bible study or theology book and into philosophy and more complex morality than I am used to. Three major things I came away with this year are: a new appreciation for the world around me, more emphasis my actions, and a better understanding of what it means to be a Catholic.
Through this year’s theology class I gained a new perspective into the world around me. At the beginning of the year I knew minimal information about current events around the world. This class, however, has taught me to take interest in these happenings and analyze them. I now look for articles that relate to natural disasters, new ideas or breakthroughs in technology, or just breaking news. I want to know what is going on and remain informed. In addition, I use these events to test myself. I ask what a good response, for example, to the recent news from Sudan, would be by the U.S. government. I may also question the moral component of the war in Iraq and whether or not I should support it when I vote in the upcoming election. I now wish to know the facts and be informed about the world in order to further my knowledge and experience with regard to history and current events.
This class has pushed me to put more emphasis on how I act. Throughout the year, from the Right Speech Experiment to the chapter on sin in the textbook, being aware of our actions and taking responsibility for them has been stressed. This year has given me a better understanding of what it means to act “properly” and how to better be aware of what I am doing. I now question why I make a bad decision – concupiscence perhaps? I force myself to judge each action I make and put serious consideration into altering any actions that I think should change. This class has helped me to be more responsible for my actions and more reflective about my lifestyle and choices.
Finally, this class has given me a better understanding of what it means to be a true Catholic. Coming into this year, I never really considered how “good” of a Catholic I was. I wouldn’t think twice about missing mass or lying for my own benefit. After this year, however, I often wonder how much of a Catholic I really am. I put more consideration into what the Church wants me to do, and am more knowledgeable about specific dilemmas relating to Church teaching, such as Church social teaching or medical ethics. I now do my best to consider the options and make the best decision I can, with an informed conscience and Church teaching in mind. Through this class I more actively seek to be a good Christian and Catholic.