Joel Berger
July 8, 2005
Journal Week 5


1) One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week.

The big key idea of this week was Jesus and his teachings. His biggest time for teaching was the Sermon of the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. His big teachings were the beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer. He also taught about the role of his disciples and his own role. He told the scribes his new laws on anger, impurity, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and out enemies. He also said that when we pray, give alms, and fast we need to do it humbly and in private rather than showing off that you are doing those things. He also gave the Golden Rule: Treat others and you would like to be treated. There were also his other teachings like the rich young man who asked Jesus "What do I need to do to be saved?"(Mt. 19: 16-22). Jesu replied "Follow the commandments."

2) List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.

a)Fr. O'Malley's criteria for "what makes a Christian."

1. Jesus is the embodiment of God.
2. Jesus/God died in order to rise.
3. To become part of the Trinity family.
4. To celebrate our community of service at a meal.

b)The Beatitudes

Blessed are...

• the poor in spirit
  
• the sorrowing
  
• the lowly
  
• they who hunger and thirst for holiness
  
• those who show mercy
  
• the single-hearted
  
• the peacemakers
  
• those persecuted for holiness' sake
  
• you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every slander against you because of me

c)The five characteristics of Ignation Spirituality by Dr. Hellwig.

1. It is grounded in intense gratitude and reverence
2. The cultivation of critical awareness of what is right and wrong is ones own life and attitudes, one's society and culture, and in specific situations
3. It has a strong sense of empowerment to accent and exercise responsibility in the work of redemption that is still going on in the world
4. To share the vision of Jesus and understand what he was and is trying to do in the world and its history

3) One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source.

Pic Link

I think that this is a great image for this week because seeing Jesus weeping reminds me that he is not just God but he was also a man which is one of the mysteries of the Christian Faith.

4) One good question you should keep with your to ponder.

When I am in church and listening to the Bible reading do I go to the third level and apply it to my life.

5) What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, form this study.

I think that I need to strive to be a person that resembles the beatitudes. Even if I can only get a few of them I will still be a better person.