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Journal 4 |
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The main theme of this section is the idea of faith/Faith and its applications in the secular and religous worlds. This constant theme appears throughout the life story of Ignatius from the battle of Pamplona onwards. He grows in his Faith in God and the saints and experiences a true metanioa. The idea of Faith is also transmitted by the Bible by the four characteristics mentioned and the more recent cathloic definition consisting of seven qualities of Faith. It even is applied to modern day events with the ideas of extreme faith or radicalism and the ideals that it can lead to and how overall, faith is an intellectual assent to a loving God and his revelation. |
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1. I think the first main section of Faith, is the four biblical characteristics of Faith. I think they show how each human has periods of struggle and fear, and that Faith is not something we develop overnight. I think it helps to join us all in a sense of communty as we can share our doubts and problems together, and work past them as a group. The four biblical characterists of Faith are that Faith is not a complete understanding and that we sometimes we are unsure of God and his presence, it is instead a loving trust. Second and thrid, Faith involves periods of doubt and struggle, and that there will be fear and darkness that we must overcome. Finally, the bible tells us that Faith is an ongoing process of decisions that all together help us better understand God and Jesus.
2 The second main section of Faith, is the video we wacthed on a former Jesuit teacher who told us about what Ignatius believed was going on in this world. He goes onto explain that there is basically an epic fight between good and evil. The devil sends out demons and hopes to draw people in with riches, then honor, then pride. Jesus on the otherhand, stresses poverty, then contempt, then humility. For the two sides their most powerful sin and virtue are pride for the devil and humility for Jesus. I think this is a well designed metaphore of something we can relate to, that Faith is essentially a struggle, and for us to win that stuggle we must equipt ourselves with the virtues of Jesus.
3. The last main section of Faith, are the Ignatian key ideals. The idea of discernment and how we can figure out the will of God here and now in our lives. Also the idea of two standards which is essentially a big battle between good and evil, in that we must make a choice otherwsie we too are part of the fight for evil. Ignatius teaches us about the Spiritual exercises. His first principle and foundation is that we are created out of love by God and for God and that everything is used to become closer to God. Also, the idea of Basic premise which is a growth in aliveness of the spirit is made only in proportion to self sacrifice. All of these Ignatian ideals, I believe, will guide us in our own metanoia away from evil and towards truth and light. |
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picture from: www. astrosoft.de/new_york/wtc/wtc_06.jpg |
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This picture represents radicalism in our own time, and how it is still very much alive. |
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One question that I have about this section is do I have faith, Faith, or neither? Am I allowing myself to forget about the two main essential elements of Faith- reason and beliefs- and instead focusing on one more than the other or vise-vera. |
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I think that from this section I can learn to make myslef a better person by questioning my actions and thoughts and leading myself to a deeper understanding of my Faith. Also, I can look to the life of Ignatius for guidence, in that it is never to late to seek the Faith. Finally, I can compare myself agaian the four biblical characteristics and seven qulites of Faith and see where I can improve. |
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