Reflections Index

Reflection Questions
Welcome to the Wisdom of the World - Joan Chittister

Chapter 18, 19 & 20

Chapter 18 – How Will I know Truth When I See It?

“Truth is that which does the good of God and does it kindly so that none of the people of God

 are hurt by it.”  (p. 122)

            In my own life, what are things I do that reflect this definition of truth?

Chapter 19 – What’s wrong with Me: Why Can’t I Change?

·What does the statement “Life itself is the greatest spiritual discipline of all” (p. 125) mean to me? 

·As I live this spiritual discipline of life, what are my greatest challenges?

·If I would make certain changes, would I be better able to meet the challenges I encounter?  What changes would be helpful and how do I anticipate my life changing if I were to make them?

Chapter 20 – What is the Purpose of Life?

In this chapter, Chittister suggests that the purpose of life is:  to live knowing we are created to contribute to life; to see ourselves as essential to the life of others; to accept that each of us is responsible for making our own contribution to the “co-creation of the world.”

·Taking these into consideration, can I say that I live life with purpose?  Why do I say this?  Are there changes I could make that would make my life more purposeful?

“God did not finish creation.  We all have to do our part in completing the project . . .the  world simply cannot do without us . . . we all have some kind of gift to give.” (thoughts from throughout chapter)

·What gifts do I bring to life that help transform life into a world that is more like the vision of God (as we imagine it to be)?



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