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

Chapters 28 and 29 

Chapter 28 - "Judaism: Community of Justice and Joy"

For the Jewish community, “every act of life has to do with the pursuit of right relationships – with God, with the other, with the world.  It is a life of total awareness of complete God-consciousness.” 
(p. 179)

How would I describe a life of total awareness of complete God-consciousness?  Do I desire to live with this awareness and God-consciousness?  If so, what will help me to live ever more fully in this way?

The spirituality of the Jewish people is a “God-and-we spirituality”, not a “God-and-I spirituality. “  What is my experience as a Catholic Christian?  Has my experience changed over time?

For the Jewish people, the celebration of Sabbath is a “sweet joy to come, the promise of life in the future despite the struggles of the present. “  (p. 179) How do I experience Sabbath?

 
“Jewish life is short on theology and long on the practice of living the life God wants for us, long on the practice of life with God.”  (p. 179) In my own experience as a Catholic Christian, is theology or the practice of life with God more central?  How does this emphasis influence my faith life?

 Chapter 29 – “Christianity: The Call to the Beatitudes”

In the Beatitudes, Jesus calls all of us to be a blessing to the world.  How am I a blessing to the world (be as specific as possible)?

 
In the Beatitudes, Jesus “draws for us a template of godly happiness that is based on humility, compassion, justice, mercy, singleness of heart, peacemaking and the willingness to pour ourselves out, to spend ourselves to make it all happen.”  (p. 181) As a Catholic Christian and a Franciscan, which of these ways to godly happiness do I live most fully?  Which are especially challenging for me?

 
“It is the task of all Christians to love.”  (p. 182) In what ways do I live my love?  Do I find it easy to love some (who?) and difficult to love others (who?)?

                                                                                                                                                                        Updated: March 29, 2011