Chapter 6: Questions #1, #2, #4

1/31/2013

Please answer these questions using the Comment Section:
1. What analogy does Paprocki use at the beginning of this Chapter?

2. How is the Church different than a club? Are there times that you sometimes see it as a club? How so? What can you do to strengthen your relationship to the church so that it isn’t seen as just a club?

4. What do you make of the saying that we are spiritual beings who have a physical experience in this life? How might this change some of the things that you do? How does it help you see religion or being Catholic as more than just “getting sacraments” or “going to church” (as important as those pillars are)?

12 Comments

Lora

2/3/2013 04:33:21 am

1.We don't face the trials in this world alone. We have the support and prayers of other believers to hold us up.

4. If we would only keep in mind that our souls are immortal and live forever, we might be less tempted to give in to bodily sin that separates us from God's grace. If we truly place God first in our lives, we would realize and run to the sacraments and the graces they give us. We would embrace church as that wonderful experience that fills us with grace and we would look forward to going to church and sharing this joy with those there.

Jay

2/4/2013 01:20:50 am

What happened to Question #2. See #1 from Carla below. I like what you have to say in #4, though your view of sacraments and church aren't always the same in your other answers.

Carla

2/4/2013 12:33:12 am

1) The analogy that Paprocki uses at the beginning of this chapter is that through baptism, we have entered into a union with Jesus and his Church and that we are not alone in matters of faith.

2) The Church is different than a club because we don't belong to the Church but become the Church because it is a living organism. I always thought of it as a 'club' because I thought of it as something that people join. I don't know what I can do to strengthen my relationship with the church so that I don't see it as just a club.

4) I don't know what to make of the saying that we are spiritual beings who have a physical experience in this life. I don't think it will change some of the things I do.

Jay

2/4/2013 01:17:56 am

You got #1 exactly right. In regards to #2, perhaps you can think of it in more familial terms (than organic). Certainly spouses "join" a family. But ultimately what being a member of a family is, is not about joining but being of "one heart and mind." Another thought might be that instead of like a gym membership, where you go and do something mostly for yourself with very little social outreach, church is communal. "It's a WE-thing."

Jay

2/4/2013 01:19:15 am

I also think you could give a little more thought to #4. Do you consider pets or trees or rocks as having souls? They are also made out of universal elements and materials. What makes YOU/Humans unique?

Ray

2/4/2013 06:33:56 am

1. Used a construction worker as an member of a union to signify the strength of numbers when faced with problems as a simile to parishioners and working together in faith.

2. There are many similarities to both the Church and a club and it can be confusing when you write out the things that they have in common. (Does not take much to confuse me!  by the way)
I agree with Carla Church is a living organism that becomes a part of us verse being a part of a organization/club and that it is differs in the sense we meet as parishioner(group) but our love for God is an individual experience only between God and me and not shared in the same way as the group.

To strengthen my relationship to the church so that I can see it as more than a club, is start attending more often and to learn more about it so that it gives more meaning for me.

4.Very thought provoking but it does tell me that what I do on earth in my human body will come to an end someday, but to continue on past the human form as you stated Jay “our souls “ will continue on, if we maintaining nourishing it through our faith our religion as Catholics. We can all go through the motions and attend church and receive sacraments but it does not determine our spirituality if our souls do not except God’s love for us. ( Now that I rambled on Jay what does it mean??)

Jay

2/5/2013 03:23:55 am

I can see that people are having trouble with the Catholic preference for BOTH/AND as opposed to EITHER/OR. The main point about Church not being a club is that it's not as simple as your choice to stay or go, but rather, like a family union, you are taking into the body of believers and your life and the life of the body become joined in communion. Remember too that in our worship, that is a public act. Not that we do not have our own private conscience, but don't mistake private for alien to/separated from community.
Regarding souls with bodies, I think if you consider that carefully, your whole way of approaching sacraments would change. You don't receive sacraments to bring more spirituality into your being, but more that you bring your body in communion with the that of Christ to be one in the Spirit before God.

Patti

2/6/2013 03:02:27 am

1. Same answer everyone else posted :)
2. Its not like a club because we are not what Paprocki calls like minded people. We are people who are actually joined together through the heart mind and soul. The Church is not just one aspect of our life like a club is. It is in all aspects of our life. I can make it less like a club by being closer to the other members of the church. Pray for them/with them, be kind always, and love them. Not just in church but in everyday life.

Jay

2/6/2013 03:51:52 am

I like your answer to #2 especially how "The Church is not just one aspecet of our life...It is in all aspects of our life." So that when you are told at the end of mass to "Go and glorify God with your life" the church you go to is the church you bring to others.

jeff

2/6/2013 06:13:17 am

1.) through baptism, when you enter a union with the church and jesus you will never be alone when it comes to faith.

jeff

2/6/2013 06:28:47 am

2.) A club is different because its something you belong to. A church on the other hand is part of your religious beliefs. We are all joined together by believing in the body of Christ,heart,mind and soul in union with one another.

4.) I'm not sure what to think of the sayings??...

Jay

2/6/2013 07:16:40 am

I think Patti's answer to #2 is probably the best on here as regards the difference between a club and the church. A club you can come and go. A church is something you become part of and belong to in the sense that it completes you and you are an integral part to it. Think "Body of Christ."
#4--at some point you will have to deal with what is unique about the human person. We are body and spirit and we are not a body plus a spirit, but more the other way around. I suppose one way to also think of it is that because we are that way, we long to be fulfilled spiritually for the body and not just for the body alone.

Chapter 6: Questions #1, #2, #4

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