Journal 5- Jesus as a Model of Faith
1) One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week.
This week we discussed Jesus as a model of faith/Faith. By looking at the Gospel of Mark and key teachings from other gospels, such as The Greatest Commandment, The Sermon on the Mount, the story of the rich young man, the judgment of nations, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we were able to learn more about Jesus� own faith/Faith and the kind of faith/Faith we should aspire to have. We also looked at Fr. O�Malley�s thoughts on Jesus, Monika Hellwig�s article on Ignatian Spirituality, and an Iraqi suicide bomber as a model of faith/Faith.
2) List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
a. Messianic Secret: In Mark�s Gospel, Jesus tells those who have seen him do miracles to tell no one who he is or what he has done.
b. The Beatitudes: �Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the single-hearted, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.� (Mt 5: 3-10)
c. Love your enemies: �You have heard that it was said, �You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.� But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.� (Mt 5: 43-45)
3) One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source.
Sermon on the Mount, Carl Bloch Christian Theological Seminary
4) One good question you should keep with you to ponder.
Besides O�Malley�s, what are some other arguments for and against the historical accuracy of the Resurrection?
5) What should you try to do to make yourself a better person, a more faithful person, from this study?
I need to look more closely at the teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. They are definitely challenges to live in a way different from what society dictates. Also, in light of the article on the suicide bomber, I must try to acknowledge the strength in Faith many fundamentalists have and learn from it, even though I don�t agree with their limited use of unprejudiced reason.