Anna Fink

Dorothy Day was a rebel rouser in the early parts of the 20^th century, working for the woman's right movement. She even got arrested for her protesting. After having a child and meeting Peter Maurin, she worked for the rights of poor individuals across America. It was her connection with Peter and the baptism of her child that inspired her to get connected with the Catholic Church and become interested in the Franciscan Ideals. Her work created housing for those who had none, even in St. Paul.

            Dorothy has some central beliefs about how a Christian should love the poor and show that love to them. Her main point throughout the essay that was published in The Catholic Worker is that love conquers all, and that all should love. Her article is specific to loving the poor among us. She mentions at least twice that we should "See...Christ in them" (p. 416). Dorothy admits that this is not an easy task and that others won't understand the love we have. They will say, "It serves them right, drinking up their clothes" to which her response is "God help us if we got just what we deserved!" (p. 417).  She cites the story of Hosea in the Bible as an example that we should follow. He loved his wandering mistress throughout many hardships and we should love others just as strongly.

            Dorothy Day's activism for human rights is closely related to Shane Claiborne's. If I recall correctly Shane cites Dorothy's work in his book and draws on her work as examples of how to live your life. Similar to Shane's calls for moral revival in the hearts and actions of Americans, Dorothy says that we should not eat "food produced under" unfair conditions (p. 418). We should live among the poor (Shane also supports this idea) and work manual labor jobs for the love of Christ. I'm not sure if Shane is as adamant about working manual labor, but he did mention that this was a great way to assure that working conditions were fair and good. On Page 420 Dorothy Day mentions that someone suggested that they all "go and live on a farm." I feel like a removed community that is self reliant and takes care of those in it would be Shane Clairborn's idea of a perfect community.

 

 

Horace Bushnell was a pastor in Hartford, Connecticut who was dedicated to the idea that children can grow in Christ continuously without falling deeply into sin. Because of this belief he was strong supporter of the Sunday school movement. He was able to believe this because of is understanding that God was at work in everything.

Bushnell States his point well in one sentence on p. 356. He says "Every human soul has a complete and perfect plan, cherished for it in the heart of God." He believes that if we choose to not accept God's plan we will "sink into something lower & less worthy of us" (p.356). I'm not really sold on this idea although I love that Bushnell says "we will never sink below His care, never drop out of His control" (p. 356). I agree with this. I don't agree with his idea that he mentions a page earlier. He says that without this plan set forth for each person "He could not even govern the world intelligently." This just seems to undermine God as omnipotent, which ticks me off a bit. He also mentions that if a person sways from the path that God has given him, he will never be able to recover. I'd like to draw on a Bible story to disagree with his point. Jacob (son of Isaac) stole his inheritance - not exactly pleasing to the Lord. Yes, he did live excommunicated from his family for 14+ years (and made several other mistakes during that time) but eventually God put him back where he needed to be, and with a considerable amount of blessings. I think I would consider that recovering. Isn't that what grace is all about - falling off the path, and God picking you up and putting you right back on. Perhaps if he had used more than two bible verses to back up his point I would be more inclined to agree, but as a rule I believe and respect the words of God more than men.

 They were alright. They seemed a little more of the mystic/spiritual realm then hard core scripture. I would have ordered them different. Number 4 should have been number one, as the Bible is the true Word of God - our thoughts and feelings on the matter (although important) can be wrong. Number 3 should have been number 2 because our conscious is part of that natural knowledge of God stuff that's talked about in the Bible. (And number 7 should be number 3, I don't think after that they have very much importance over the others) I liked number 5 the best because it goes so well with what we have been talking about this school year. Our calling is where our talents and the need of the world meet, so examining our talents is a good way to figure out where God may be calling you.

My project taught me a lot about my calling, mostly about my talents. I realized that I'm not as outgoing or professional as I have the potential to be, and by recognizing that I can get better. I know that I do have the patience to work with disabled children and adolescence, but I am not as good with the adults. It again is something I can learn. The willingness that I have to stretch my comfort zone too is a good thing. It's not quite a talent, but it's a good thing, and it will help me (along with my other talents) with whatever vocation God leads me too.

 

Howard Thurman inspired many with his life. Coming out of a poor family in Florida and raised by his grandmother he, became a voice that Martin Luther King looked up too. He studied at the Rochester Seminary and became a pastor. He serves in San Francisco as a pastor and as the dean of the chapel at the University of Boston. He was a strong influence in the civil rights movememt.

The third temptation section refers to the temptation of possessions. One of the greatest cause of misconduct among societies is due to some assures of possession. Thurman mentions that this is because all men are evil in their souls. Because of this natural sinfulness societies will never be perfect.  We know that we are saved; we don't have to worry about death. However the earth is still our home and we have to try and live peacefully on it for now.  It makes me especially sad to see argument come among pastors and teachers in a Lutheran school setting, or among other groups affiliated with the church. These situations disappoint me because I always hope that the hope of the Gospel would overcome our sinful and selfish desires and enable the Christians to be a "positive weal" as Thurman mentions on page 388. We have to realize that being saved doesn't automatically create every action done by us into a positive one. We need to constantly fight the temptation of our own selfishness.

I believe Thurman's view of Christianity in the public square is one I could agree with. If Christians who are saved still fight, it is obvious that simply bringing God into the public square will not solve the problems that happen. Instead those who are Christians should let their lights shine further for Christ. Living as a Christian means showing God's love and not being selfish or possessive. This is what should be present in the public square - Christians who show God's love instead of hiding their faith from the public view. If I may expand upon his point, Christians should show religion in the pubic square by the ways they live their lives.

                Gerrard Winstanley lived during the15th century. He began as a tradesman which is a stark contrast to how he acted at the time of writing this letter. His next profession was a Baptist lay preacher, but he eventually left that church to find his own spiritual journey. At the time of this letter he joined with other to dig up the common grounds and plant crops so that the poor he was among could eat decently. For these illegal acts a warrant of arrest was put out for him but he was never arrested. Sometime in his life he joined the Quaker church.

                He and those people he was with believed that they were right in their actions. They had good intentions, they were poor and they wanted food for their labor. Even more then their own wants they saw it as their right from God. God's creation was for all to share and labor over together. The kings and royalty that took the most of the creation had gotten the land by evil ways anyhow, and they were keeping others from it with those same evil acts of violence and murder. The earth was not made to be bought and sold as the upper class did. The Diggers felt that everyone should enjoy the earth because God made it for everyone.  Their letter became very pointed when they told those reading the letter that their actions would be judged by the Lord.

                I do see some similarity between Gerrard and Clayborne. Both didn't find satisfaction in their original church. The situations they were in have their differences but are similar in a general way. The upper-class in Gerrard's time intentionally kept the goods for themselves and preferred the uneven distribution of wealth. In our modern day society sweat shops and outsourced labor keep the poor at a distance from the consumers but are apparent to the business heads. Both had/have tough battles to fight. The upper-class were/are so attuned to their ways of thinking that it is hard for them to see things from another point of view. It is very easy for them to see the benefits of unfair labor - big profit for them.  Both had/have forms of media to use to further their cause. I'm not sure that Gerrard had this letter spread around England as Shane had his book distributed. Both helped out in their own way directly with the lower class. Shane with his work in India and at the house he lives at, and Gerrard with the Diggers movement.

                Gerrard Winstanley lived during the15th century. He began as a tradesman which is a stark contrast to how he acted at the time of writing this letter. His next profession was a Baptist lay preacher, but he eventually left that church to find his own spiritual journey. At the time of this letter he joined with other to dig up the common grounds and plant crops so that the poor he was among could eat decently. For these illegal acts a warrant of arrest was put out for him but he was never arrested. Sometime in his life he joined the Quaker church.

                He and those people he was with believed that they were right in their actions. They had good intentions, they were poor and they wanted food for their labor. Even more then their own wants they saw it as their right from God. God's creation was for all to share and labor over together. The kings and royalty that took the most of the creation had gotten the land by evil ways anyhow, and they were keeping others from it with those same evil acts of violence and murder. The earth was not made to be bought and sold as the upper class did. The Diggers felt that everyone should enjoy the earth because God made it for everyone.  Their letter became very pointed when they told those reading the letter that their actions would be judged by the Lord.

                I do see some similarity between Gerrard and Clayborne. Both didn't find satisfaction in their original church. The situations they were in have their differences but are similar in a general way. The upper-class in Gerrard's time intentionally kept the goods for themselves and preferred the uneven distribution of wealth. In our modern day society sweat shops and outsourced labor keep the poor at a distance from the consumers but are apparent to the business heads. Both had/have tough battles to fight. The upper-class were/are so attuned to their ways of thinking that it is hard for them to see things from another point of view. It is very easy for them to see the benefits of unfair labor - big profit for them.  Both had/have forms of media to use to further their cause. I'm not sure that Gerrard had this letter spread around England as Shane had his book distributed. Both helped out in their own way directly with the lower class. Shane with his work in India and at the house he lives at, and Gerrard with the Diggers movement.

     John Wesley started out in the 1700s in the Church of England. In college, he and some of his friends already adopted the name Methodists because of the way they preferred to live their lives. After getting kicked out of the church for what he preached, John Wesley took his message to the streets - or in this case the farmlands. He actually never left the Church of England himself. When he died there was a Methodist movement already growing strong.
     The things we can participate in this world that dont included "laying up treasures on earth." We can provide things that allow us to be honest so that we don't need to owe others anything. We can provide for our families and our children and those that are in our households. We also can have what is needful provide for the worldly business of these points.
     (I would like to apply this to my project, but I honestly dont think that my project had any effect on how I view monetary success. So instead I'm gonna relate the reading to my life this year.)
      This reading really applied to me today. It was probably the best day to read this. It would be fair to say that this day has been the single most stressful day of my year. All the projects I have been working on all year are starting to come due. Added on to that I have to get my visa for studying abroad next year. So today I was frantic. I ran around most of the day just trying to make sure that all the things that I thought were so important were getting done.  Reading this was a good reminder for me, I dont need to focus so much on this world. It will all be okay, because ultimately Jesus loves me and he wont give me more than I can handle. Today was also the day of an event I  had been planning for quite sometime - a Feed My Starving Children trip for Luther and Wallaeger. Its events like this that make me always rethink and re-prioritize what is important in the life and what isn't. Monetary gain brings nothing, especially when one has so much already. Giving, especially to those who have so little, brings much joy and much good. God gives us commands for reasons. Storing up treasures on earth bring you nothing, in fact usually they stress you out.

Dr. Loma Meyer Is a Concordia legacy. When she came to Concordia in 1967 no one knew that she have such an impact. In her years on staff she served as the director of instruction, dean of the faculty, vice president for academic affairs, executive vice president, and was a great professor. She served in many of these positions at the same time. In her speech she joked that she would have meetings with herself to debate issues.  It was an honor for all to hear her speak.

The lecture focused on change, and how the challenge of integrating faith and learning  changes throughout the years.  In the early years of Concordia, Integrating faith and learning was easy because as Dr. Schuler said, "It was assumed." These days faith can't be assumed neither on the side of the student or on the side of the teacher. In the early days only 7% of the school wasn't going into a church related career.  Today only 6% of Concordia's student body is going into a church related career.  Since the start of the school there have been many positive changes, many new buildings, new programs, and a more diverse population of students. With those positive changes, negative changes have occurred too. In the last years of Stegemoeller being president, controversial issues were raise and he was asked to resign.  In the current Holst age of Concordia, the current struggle is to keep faith in the classroom and remain a prestigious university.

Honors is one place on campus that students are guaranteed to have faith integrated into their learning. It's not only in the curriculum, but in the heart of the faculty as well.  While talking to other students on campus I have noticed that many don't feel that faith is a part of their studies. These discussions make me realize how blessed I am to be in this honors program. Although it is taught from a faith based stand point, in honors you are encouraged to use critical thinking and make your own mind. I really appreciate knowing that I can raise questions about my faith in class.  Honors is a shining example of how  faith can be integrated  into learning.

                I really enjoy learning a little bit more about Ignatius Loyola especially since when I was looking at colleges, a very key time to search for God's purpose for me, I spent some time considering Loyola University in Chicago. Obviously that did not end up being the decision that God blessed me with. Ignatius came out of Spain and served in the military there. Somewhere in there he had a change of heart too and God showed him a different way: to start a society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.

                As Ignatius did, in this section of Callings he lays out 2 methods for making choices. The first of the two follows this general form: 1. Think about the thing your desire.  2. Be willing to God's influence in this, do not be stubborn to a pre-determined decision. 3. Ask God to influence you. 4. Use reason and make a list of pros and cons. 5. Be logical - What is more reasonable? 6. Pray and let God bless it if he chooses. His instructions are fairly clear, although could be re-worded to be clearer and much simpler for the modern day reader.

                I have recently made a pretty big decision about my life. Next year I will be not attending Concordia on Campus. I will be studying abroad in Italy - a country I have never been to , and don't really know the language of. I kinda wish I had read this before I made the decision, and I suppose I could take this process into account since I haven't sent the money in yet. Truthfully, even though I didn't have this ordered checklist, I feel like I have completed the requirements. Since my freshman year in High School I have been really interested in this college. It's called Accademia Italiana - the academy of Italy, I suppose not a terribly creative name for an arts college. Either way I found the school by chance just looking up possibilities of schools that have costume design, the career I hope to pursue.  I have always had my heart set on going, so I wasn't doing too well with step 2 for a while. A funny thing happens though when you send in an application - the insanity of what you are doing actually hits you. I definitely began to doubt. I think that was a great way for me to open up to the possibility of other possibilities. I had also realized how important God's influence in this was. There is no way I'll survive in another country by myself without his guiding hand. I had prayed about it before, but this was when I really felt able enough to let it go to him, and trust his decision no matter what I was hoping for. I asked God to influence me (step 3) and he did, not only in my heart but in my bank account. My dad had apparently over paid for my tuition this semester, and I had an overage on my account, which I could access the week that I got my acceptance letter back from Italy. I really felt blessed by the Lord. After that I did take steps of reason, making sure this was a smart choice for my career and my future. After long talks with my boyfriend and parents, I'm finally ready to accept my acceptance to Accademia Italiana.

Thomas Aquinas was a well-learned man. As a teacher he taught the works of Aristotle and many theological points. He would have been one who prayed and worked (as a teacher). His parents wanted him to be Benedictine but he joined up with the Dominicans instead and like any person who made history disappointed his parents.

                Thomas says it is required for people to "withdraw their affection" from earthly property and wealth. Perfect charity is living with no covetous desires.  The more one has in the world the more attached to it they are and attached to the world they are. Therefore Thomas believes that men should live without property.

            I have been thinking about this a lot in the past day and half. I recently watched a movie with Sarah K at a CMS meeting built around the LGBT community. The movie made arguments supporting homosexual Christians. Although I personally believe homosexuality is a sin, the movie was very thought provoking. One of the verses the movie had mentioned was the verse from Mathew telling believers to sell all they have.  They cited this as something that we no longer follow. That made me think, why don't we? I also have to agree with the objections that Thomas mentioned that quoted scripture.  I also don't think that we should put ourselves in harm's way. I guess this is something that I will continue to think about as I live my life and decide how to spend my money. Ultimately I think that the main issue is not how much money you have/earn but how much you covet and how much you are willing to give to the Lord's work. 

Mechthild lived a "more of less" monastic life.  This controversial community she lived in would have been more mendicant then Benedictine. It was controversial because the members of it did not take vows. Her writings were encouraged by her Dominican confessor. She started by writing down her visions and musings about them. In 1269 she completed her book.       "You should also go into the kitchen and see to it that the needs of the brethren of the community are well taken care of, that your own stinginess and the laziness of the cook do not steal from out Lord's sweet song in the choir. For a starving cleric does not sing well. Also, a hungry man cannot study with concentration."         These few sentences stood out to me. I think at first it struck my eye because I love cooking and hosting meals. The more I think about it, the more this really applies to my project. First semester, every time I volunteered with Upstream Arts I was out in the classrooms working with professional actors and meeting some incredible students. (I felt pretty spoiled, perhaps comparatively to a Prioress.) Since Upstream Arts takes January off from doing programs, the only work for me to do was paperwork in the office.  It wasn't as glorious as the field work, but the company would starve if this work wasn't done; they could miss out on major grant opportunities which they need to survive. It was a great blessing to help feed Upstream Arts by typing of teacher's evaluations and transcribing interviews.