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Week 6 The Trinity

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The icon was created by Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the 15th century. It is regarded as one of the highest achievements of Russian art. It depicts the Holy Trinity in the form of the three angels who visited Abraham at the oak of Mamre (Genesis 18,1-15). Explanation:   https://sacredheartpullman.org/documents/2017/8/Trinityicon.pdf  In Fr.  Richard Rohr’s book,  The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation,   he explores ideas and themes about the Trinity.  In his first meditation, Fr. Rohr suggested that we begin thinking about our Triune God by praying the following simple prayer. I commend it to you today for your own contemplation and for any discussion you might want to offer. • • • God for us, we call you “Father.” God alongside us, we call you “Jesus.” God within us, we call you “Holy Spirit.” Together, you are the Eternal Mystery That enables, enfolds, and enlivens all things, Even us and even me....
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Week 5

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This evening we will explore the chapters God Who Breaks Chains and Generous God of the Religions. Elizabeth Johnson offers us plenty of "food for thought" and new challenges for us especially when in dialogue with people of various faith traditions. The Following is an Exposition of some of the concepts in Chapters 6 & 8.  Prayer - God Who Breaks Chains https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/the-resurrection-icon-of-victory/ From Last week" United States Conferences of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - Catholic Social Teaching http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/ Another website on Catholic Social Teaching with video explanations- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) https://www.crs.org/resource-center/CST-101 Brief History of Black Christians in America God in America PBS Video Series The Black Church - historical overview http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/black-church/ Video http:...
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Week 4

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For this our fourth session in Foundations we will entertain the thoughts and insights from Johnson's work Quest for the Living God Chapters 4 & 5. First Prayer:  St. Vincent de Paul   “You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see. And the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them.” I would like to entertain the following questions related to Chapter 4 "Liberating God of Life:" 1. Describe the context in which liberation theology develops. 2. What is the traditional explanatio...
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Week 3

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This evening we will explore Chapters 2 and 3 referring to the outline and questions accompanying it. But First : A Review Chapter 1: Focus on page 12-13 and ground rules in page 17-21 Summary: (1) From the beginning:    History shows that human beings are naturally religious; that is, the record shows that humans have always sought (and are still seeking) the transcendent dimension of life. (2) Peoples of the Book:    Jews, Christians and Muslims have shown, through their history and sacred texts, that their people have always sought to experience the Holy.    The scriptures of all three traditions also describe a God who continually seeks for them. (3) Why the search?    The living God is beyond description, and thus can never be wholly captured in words, but the human search for God goes on because the human heart is insatiable – and constant change in human culture mean that our experiences of God are always mediated through new ...
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Week I - Introduction and Chapter 1

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As we begin this course in exploring the foundations of our Christian Faith, I will like to begin by first revisiting our course in Christology. After our gathering prayer, I would like to do the following: 1. I would like to "plumb" Jean Vanier's "Vision of Jesus" handout. 2. Next, I would  like to entertain Dr. Martin Luther King's But If Not Sermon.  A transcript will be provided in class. We will discuss what he means by "faith," namely the difference between an "If" faith and a "Though" faith and what he means is the ultimate "essence" of religion. I will begin the video at the 9'11" mark. 3. Your homework for this upcoming Thursday's class is to have  read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of "Quest for the Living God" AND  have c ompleted in your notes (on looseleaf) the Reflection and Discussion questions found at the bottom of the handout from last Thursday.  Here is a Google Dri...
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