COMPASSION & SUFFERING

COMPASSION & SUFFERING WHO ARE WE? WHY DO WE SUFFER? HOW ARE WE CALLED TO RESPOND?  PFV.01: identify the main features of a Christian anthropology and examine the human search for meaning and purpose; and  FLV.01: describe the meaning of “the intrinsic dignity of each human person,” and its impact on our inherent sense of responsibility towards self and others.

COMPASSION & SUFFERING Who Am I?

COMPASSION & SUFFERING  We are all created with an essential & irrevocable dignity in as much as we are loved by God and called to love; we are a social people.  Our essential dignity is consummated when we contribute meaningfully to, and participate meaningfully in, the community. The IndividualThe Community

COMPASSION & SUFFERING  Review your news app: what are the main stories in the world today?  Consider the music you heard this weekend: how does it describe the human experience?  Think about your interactions this weekend: did they describe a dignity and connected ness? WHY AND HOW?

COMPASSION & SUFFERING  Read pages (excluding 16 &17) and respond to ‘For Review’ questions 1-3 (13) and 4-8 (21 & 22).  Write a paragraph identifying which of the four responses to suffering most resembles your own default position and describe why.

COMPASSION & SUFFERING OPENING SENTENCE 3-6 SENTENCES OF EVIDENCE/EXPLA NATION CONCLUDING SENTENCE  Swop your response with a partner and identify the three parts of the paragraph, comment on fluid style, and correct punctuation/grammar.  Identify whether your partners response was principally:  Head-focused – cognitive  Heart-focused – affective  Hand-focused - active

COMPASSION & SUFFERING  From GAUDIUM ET SPES  There are five basic truths of Catholic Anthropology:  We are made in the image of God;  We are loved by God;  We are called to love and be in relationship;  We are essentially good but weakened by sin & saved by grace;  We do not end with death but move to a new life.

COMPASSION & SUFFERING  Because we each have dignity, we are called to foster the dignity of others:  We love;  To seek and foster the good of others in the context of their concrete situation  We live in community;  To live in mutual compassion and regard, fostering the dignity of others  We ensure that everyone has that which they need.  Equity is not the same as equality

COMPASSION & SUFFERING HOW DO WE READ SCRIPTURE? CONTEXUALLY: We seek the deeper truths; We understand the historical context; We place it in the context of Holy Tradition.  Scripture and tradition describe three iconic guidelines for living: 1. The Decalogue; Exodus & Deut The Beatitudes; Matt The Golden Rule. Matt 7.12 & Luke 6.31

COMPASSION & SUFFERING HOW DO WE READ SCRIPTURE? CONTEXUALLY: We seek the deeper truths; We understand the historical context; We place it in the context of Holy Tradition.  Consider the three passages:  Summarise in a sentence, what are they saying;  Describe what is unique about each of them;  Identify what is consistent in all of them;  Describe how they present a moral and ethical framework;  Consider what they say about compassion.

Compassion and Suffering  If we are made to be in relationship, we can describe sin as any obstacle we place in our relationship with ourselves and others.  We can talk about the five-fold nature of sin; sins against: 1. Self 2. Others 3. Other nations 4. Creation 5. God  With a partner, describe an example of each kind of sin.

Compassion and Suffering  When we respond to suffering with compassion, we seek justice.  Read “Justice: The Reign of God’s Goodness” (20-26) and respond to questions  Read “The Compassionate Way of Jesus” (27-38) and respond to questions