Assigned reflection 4Q-1



REFLECTION #1

Reading the Sermon on the Mount was not something I was not extremely excited about because I had already read it numerous times before. I was not very interested in reading it, but this would be the first time that I would read it in a Catholic translation. The meanings are the same in Lutheran and Catholic, but they are worded differently. I figured that if I was going to read this that I would look for the differences in the Catholic translation versus the Lutheran. But as I started reading the Sermon, I became really interested on the part called"True Riches". I do not know what exactly intrigued me on this one part. After reading the passage once, I decided that I should read it again to see if I can find more out about the verses. After reading it again, I realized how fortunate I am. The one thing I cannot do is become hung up on worldly things. There is going to be a better place than the one I’m living right now. I need to remember that so I do not only think of worldly things and just strive for getting things for this world.



REFLECTION #2

As I was looking at the initial questions that you gave us at the beginning of the class, I thought filling this out was really hard. I do not like to look back on myself a lot because I know that there are things that I have done wrong, and that I know I could have changed, but at the time I did not and that angers me and saddens me. (Reflection sheet) I knew that we were going to relate my answers to see if they compare with something in the Sermon on the Mount. I held back my want to reply to the answers the way I thought I should, but I replied to them as truthfully as possible. Seeing that a lot of my responses were not moral or Christian made makes me want to strive to do better. It has almost become second nature that I do not even think of some of the actions I do. The question about “when was the last time you witnessed a fight?” was really hard. I was not driving, but I saw two people in a gas station fighting in the parking lot next to it. I wanted to say something to my dad (who was driving), but I decided not to. I do not know why I did not because every time I think about it, I feel sad because I do not know what happened and if anyone got hurt. Some of my answers did show a moral or Christian person, but the majority was undecided. Some of my responses could go either way; I just need to look past what my first response would be. It depends on the second action that would follow the first one that would determine whether it is moral or not.



KEY IDEA #1

The Storycorps audio that the class listened to was very cool. At first, I said to myself, “well, what does that have to do with me?” But I went home that night and I listened to it again. When I was listening something struck me, I would never have thought to do that. I would have been freaked out and would have given him my wallet and then run away as fast as I could. I would not have stopped and asked him those questions or even taken him to get something to eat. If I did not run away, I probably would have gone after the person or stalled to get a good look at his face and memorize what he looked like so I could give a good description to the police, but I would have never thought to do something that nice. I thought it was cool that the guy took the man to get food with him. That to me is a showing that even though someone is mean or harmful, does not mean they do not have a better side to them. Everyone has a good side to them, and trying to find it might be hard, but it is there. We all need to try to love our enemies like Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. This man, Julio Diaz, did and it brought him something good. This will not always happen because some people will not let you bring out the good side in them. Trying is the only way to find out. Trying for something this big is also a great risk, because you cannot control what they are going to do. (AUDIO)



KEY IDEA #2

The video that you should us of Randy Pausch was amazing. The way he can go through his life, knowing that he only has six months of living left, and still be a very happy man, is simply amazing. I do not know how he does that because I know that I could not do that. If I knew that I had only 6 months left in my life, I would go into panic/shock mode. I would not want to do anything at all. The only thing I would think about is death, not life. “Tell the truth, all the time” Those words spoken by Pausch is extremely true. Most people do not want to hear the truth; they shun from the truth and only want to hear what is good for them. In my opinion, Pausch is completely correct. The truth is always better than a lie, even if it is a white lie. The truth is always better. Sometimes people do not tell the truth, and it is wrong, but can easily be forgiven. If you strive to do better and to not lie, than I think your life will be so much easier and better. Another saying that Pausch said was “never find anger for good.” All anger will get you is nothing. Yes, anger at the beginning is fine, but if you hold onto that anger, then nothing will come of it. You have to let go of the anger and let the good take over. This is a direct reference back to the Sermon on the Mount. If you have anger someone, you are liable to judgment. Anger can only bring you bad, never well. (VIDEO)







Question:
Should you try to follow the old law or the new law more?

The old law set by Jesus on Mount Sinai is just as good as the new law brought be Jesus in the Beatitudes. You should strive to follow both as much as you can. We are all sinful, so it is impossible to keep both, but striving to do the best you can. This should be your goal.