Entertaining Angels #19

Question 19: In the dramatic climax of the film, The Catholic Worker staff revolts. I understand their viewpoint. Their position is an easy one to take when you feel as if your work is useless. I feel that their position is taking the easy way out, they cannot look past the present into the future. Most importantly, they cannot see that the real success is not in the sales and production of the paper, but it in comforting and serving the poor and needy. They cannot accept their role of being fools for God. Dorothy responds by fleeing to the church and questioning God. Her talk with God was one of my favorite parts of her story because I was able to relate to her. Sometimes I question God and what is He calling me to do. I think it is most difficult to love those who refuse to love you back no matter how hard you try or the people you are envious of. If we see God in these individuals, then we can love them and God will be generous and share His grace with us.

The Theology of Suffering

1. Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering When I hear this point, the image that immediately comes to my mind is the scene the night before Jesus' death, The Agony in the Garden. Jesus knew that he would have to die and he resisted his suffering. He even asks God if there was another way. But by going through with his painful death on the Cross he eliminated our suffering. Today, one of my mother's favorite expressions is "offer it up to God." She says this when I am experiencing some sort of discomfort. I feel like suffering is sometimes needed. Without experiencing any suffering one would never have a point of reference for comparison. When you are not suffering the good times seem better and you are able to cherish that time a little more. 2. Jesus rejected suffering as a punishment for sin I do not believe that God actively creates suffering in the world. I think humans create suffering for one another via their own freewill. In contrast, I think of diseases and natural disasters and think that a human being could not create such awful things. It's hard to believe that God would allow those things to exist. But I do think that when some innocent person is faced with these things that it would not be possible to function without trusting in God. Jesus did not want us to suffer. In his last breath he asked God to forgive us and to relieve us from any punishment. He also forgave the murders on the other side of him and prayed that their suffering would be little. I think Jesus would like us to repent for our sins and that our punishment is separating ourselves from God. 3. Jesus trusted a compassionate, present God It comforts me to know that God is always with me. He is compassionate. If we repent for our sins, He will forgive us and welcome us back into His kingdom. I do not know many people that would take us back after we sin against them multiple times. A Theology of Atonement/Ransom portrays God as the great king that expects to be repaid for our sins. However, as humans we can never repay our debt because it increases every time we sin. Jesus was the answer and the people's savior, through His death He eliminated the people's debt, so we could live in unity with the Lord. The Theology of Incarnation identifies God a compassionate and loving God. In this interpretation, God suffers with His people when they sin and rejoices when they do His will. God shares in love with all of His creation through the incarnation of Jesus. I associate my grade school imagery with the Theology of Atonement. Sometimes it is easier for me to understand and use the theology of Atonement. Although as I have gotten older, I have been exposed to a more mature interpretation of faith that seems more closely aligned with the Theology of Incarnation. This is also comforting because I know God feels my pain and will forgive me if I truly repent for my sins.

Jean Donovan Reflection #4

In just a few weeks, I will be seeing my Aunt Eileen for the first time in four years. I have not been able to see her in person because she is a director of a school in Lima, Peru. Additionally, she is a sister in the order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I see many parallels in the lives of my Aunt Eileen and Jean Donovan. Both were actively seeking something to fulfill their lives beyond material goods. They both turned to missionary work. Hearing my Aunt Eileen and Jean Donovan’s reflection upon their experiences in Peru and El Salvador, I can hear the sense of belonging and spiritual connection that comes from living with the poorest of the poor. For my Aunt as well as Jean, the children are the main reason for continuing their mission work. My Aunt is the Director of a school for the local impoverished children. Over the years she has put electricity in the building along with clean running water. Most recently, she is working on raising money for a tile floor. She has devoted so much of her life to the children attending her school. She gave up her comfortable life, complete with family, a secure place to live, and everyday luxuries that we take for granted, to help children living a half a world away. For me, it seems difficult to sacrifice so much for the unknown. Sometimes Aunt Eileen and Jean Donovan’s decision to engage in Missionary work in third world countries is difficult for me to understand. Other times, I am envious of their courage and determination they display when choosing their new life style. My Aunt now calls Peru her home and the United States as her place to visit. I think Jean would have stayed in El Salvador and it would have become her home. Ultimately, I am proud to place my Aunt Eileen in the same category as Jean Donovan and the three other sisters who gave their lives to help the children of El Salvador.