Parables (p. 72)

A parable is a fictional story that compares something we do not know (The Kingdom of God/God's presence among us) with something we do know. In this way, a parable is a metaphor which teaches us about the Kingdom of God, or God's actions among us. A parable usually has a surprise twist that helps us to see God's love (grace) for us in a new way.

Five Characteristics of a Parable:
1) A parable is a story
Parables are a work of fiction. The events described in a parable did not actually occur.

2) A parable is a comparison
Parable comes from the Greek "parabole," meaning comparison. Parables make a comparison between something the audience has knowledge of, and something they may not have knowledge of, namely God.

3) A parable has a crisis
Parables usually contain some sort of conflict, crisis, twist, or surprise.

4) A parable has an ending
The conflict is resolved.

5) A parable is about the Kingdom of God, or God's actions among us
A parable helps us to better understand God.

-Mr. H.

What is a covenant? (p. 64-65)

A covenant is like a treaty, alliance, or promise
In scripture a covenant is used to express the relationship between the Lord and the Israelites.

A covenant has conditions
The Israelites became God's 'Chosen People' and gained their freedom from slavery when they accepted the conditions of the covenant.  The Israelites agreed to accept the Torah (think Old Testament), a set of instructions provided by the Lord on how to live their lives.  At the core of the Torah are the Ten Words (Ten Commandments), which teach the Lord's people how to be free.

A covenant is sealed with a ceremony
"Then he [Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, 'All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.'" The covenant and its conditions are read and agreed upon in a ritual ceremony.

A covenant is celebrated with both parties present
The Sinai covenant is sealed with a ceremonial meal.  Moses, Aaron, Na'dab, Abi'hu, and seventy elders of Israel (representing every nation known by Israel at the time), went up Mount Sinai to see God where they ate and drank a covenant meal.

- Mr. H.

Covenants (The Bible Project, 2015)

If Moses were to liberate his people today...

The Sacredness of Life and Dignity of the Human Person

 

Signs, Symbols, and Rituals of Culture

Sign - expresses one specific meaning or message.

Symbol - an object or thing used to represent an idea that is difficult to explain, describe, or understand.

Ritual - a set of bodily actions accompanied by language and symbols which help to connect us with others, and make life events more meaningful.

Four Traits of a Ritual (p. 44)
- passes on tradition
- requires our active participation (bodies)
- accompanied by words to help provide meaning
- creates community

Reflect on rituals in your life.  Identify and explain how each of the characteristics of a ritual is present in a ritual you have participated in.

- Mr. H.

Seven Traits of Culture (p. 35-36)

Culture is the way we live together.

Culture is comprised of three major components:
1) Human actions
2) A set of meanings, beliefs, values, and practices
3) Identifies individuals as belonging to a particular group

Culture...
1) is created by humans.
2) consists of ways of doing things.
3) is public.
4) arises from tradition.
5) is made up of rule governed actions.
6) becomes established in institutions.
7) gives us our identity.

- Mr. H.

Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

1) Life and Dignity of the Human Person
All people are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. People do not lose dignity because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race. This emphasizes people over things, being over having.

2) Call to Family, Community, and Participation (Common good and community)

The human person is both sacred and social. We realize our dignity and rights in relationship with others, in community. Humans are social beings with a right and duty to participate in society to seek the common good and well-being of all. Family is fundamental to this process.

3) Rights and responsibilities

All people have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, health care, education and employment. All people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to respect the rights of others within wider society and to work for the common good.

4) Option for the poor and vulnerable

The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. Society has a responsibility to examine the impact public policy decisions have on the poor.

5) The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The economy (system for the distribution of goods and services) exists to meet the needs of the people. This relationship is very different from people existing to meet the needs of the economy. People come first. Workers have a right to:

• productive work
• fair wages
• a safe work environment
• participate in decisions that affect them in the workplace
• security in the case of sickness, disability, unemployment or old age
• form unions which are considered "indispensable" in the search for social justice

6) Solidarity (Global solidarity and development)

We are one human family. Global development must respect the moral, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of the human person. Our responsibilities to each other crosses national, racial, economic, and ideological differences because we are a global community.

"If you want peace, work for justice." 

- Pope Paul VI (1972)

7) Stewardship of God's creation

The goods of creation are to be enjoyed by all and benefit everyone. We are not to exploit the earth's resources, but are called to protect, care for, and responsibly use the goods of creation.

                                              

Being Human: A Catholic Perspective

 

The Limits of Science.....

Five rational beliefs that cannot be proven by science
Dr. William Lane Craig

• Logical and mathematical truths cannot be proven by science. Science presupposes logic and math; to try to prove them by science would be arguing in a circle.
• Metaphysical truths such as that there are other minds other than my own or that the external world is real or that the past wasn’t created five minutes ago with the appearance of age.
• Ethical beliefs about statements of value are not accessible by the scientific method. You can’t show by science whether the Nazi scientists did anything in the camps that is evil as opposed to the scientists in western democracies.
• Aesthetic judgments cannot be accessed by the scientific method because the beautiful, like the good, cannot be scientifically proven.
• Science itself. Science cannot be justified by the scientific method. Science is permeated by improvable assumptions. For example, in the special theory of relativity, the whole theory hinges on the assumption that the speed of light is constant in a one-way direction from point A to point B, it must be assumed.

None of these beliefs can be proven yet they are accepted by almost everyone.