Course material meanings!

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Hello all

OK, I'm into the material now and the questions are coming fast and many. It feels like I'm about to be taken on a "Magical Mystery Tour" or more to the point a "Mystical Magical Tour"? Less of the chat and down to the questions:

Question 1 Pg. 16 Unit 1 I've a feeling that the Corinthians quotation on page 16 re the childish ways is deliberately leading in the wrong direction? Any comments? I've a vague recollection about another quote which goes something like …."you must become like children to enter the kingdom of God… " or some suggestion like that.

OK so what's the real quotation and is this a trick question? Where is it leading?

Question 2

Now for a question on the external reading in the document "The Priority of Adult Formation"

The word communion comes up in a number of different contexts, outlined below, what is its meaning in these situations?

Pg. 13 paragraph 1 line 8 ……in a spirit of communion Pg. 13 paragraph 2 line 12…… who is a communion of persons…

Question 3 Can you expand on the meaning intend in the last paragraph on page 13 re the line ….. on the other the appropriation of the content of faith…?

Question 4

As I missed the introduction day I am wondering has any information been given out re the projects, e.g. topics dates, etc?

On the journey, many more questions to come. Thanks in anticipation of answers.

Leonard Kaye

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Answers

I like your image of the "Mystical Magical Tour"!

You write about quotations from the New Testament. I think that when one is trying to get a clearer idea of a short quotation, it is very helpful to read the context in which it occurs. This I think provides the answers to your remarks and questions on texts using the word "child" or "children":

On the context of the quote from I Cor. 13, 11, Paul there seems to be talking about making a transition from a partial and imperfect state to a full and perfect state. To explain what he means, he uses different images--the other image of the difference between seeing in a mirror (burnished metal rather than a modern mirror) as opposed to seeing face to face is, I think, clear. So I think that the direction in which this text from St. Paul is pointing is very interesting. I think it is a real quote and not a misleading one.

The passage about becoming like little children to which you refer is probably Mt. 18, 3: "I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven". The context here is different. The disciples are arguing over who is the greatest--completely missing the point of Jesus' teaching and presence (think of the washing of the feet in Jn 13). So he corrects them by telling them they have to have the simplicity of the child, rather than the political calculation of the adult concerned about power.

Hope this helps!

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2002


On the meanings of "communion": I don't in fact have the reading you refer to. However the following dictionary meanings may be of use to you:

1 : an act or instance of sharing / 2 a capitalized : a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ b : the act of receiving Communion c capitalized : the part of a Communion service in which the sacrament is received / 3 : intimate fellowship or rapport : COMMUNICATION / 4 : a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2002


I'm in agreement with Philip I see a cross reference to Matthews Gospel in terms of approach. The other linkage I see is the other two quotations are non biblical and are there to support the new model of laity and church.

The quotation is therefore to my mind relevent it challenges us to approach the subject like a child in learning with wonder , openess and a willingness to explore. If we do this then we should deepen our understanding and be better prepared to be apologists for Christ in this world. We are being requested to approach with the openess of a Child so that we can mature as adults, express that faith as an adult in the real world not as something simplistic learnt by rote in school. This is how I interpreted it.

Hope this clarifys rather than confuses.

Trevor

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002


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