Gladness
Objective
I can analyze and reflect on the chapter "Gladness" of Tattoos on the Heart.
Gladness
Read "Gladness"
Chapter 7
Discussion Questions:
What makes you glad? How does being glad make you feel?
Fr. Greg, through Dorothy Day and Ruskin, encourages us to be “watchful for the hilarious and the heartwarming, the silly and the sublime.” Describe several of these moments that you have experienced recently in your own life. How do they make you feel?
Fr. Greg repeatedly references Jesus by saying, “His ways aren’t our ways, but they sure could be.” Explain what he means.
Explain why Fr. Greg writes, “We have grown accustomed to think that loving as God does is hard.” What does he want to encourage us to do?
Which parable did you connect with the most in the reading? Why?
Activity 1: "Gladness" Reading Guide
Make a copy of this Google Doc (Click "File" then "Make a copy.") and answer the questions in the right hand column. One you have finished make a new sub page title "Gladness" under "Summaries" and post this Google Doc on it. Remember to turn on link sharing is the "Share" settings.
Activity 2: "Gladness" Reflection
Make a new sub page titled "Gladness" under "Reflection." Pick two of the following prompts on the webpage. Answer each question using two or more paragraphs (Remember a paragraph is 5 or more sentences). Write out the questions you are responding to so Mr. Q may know when he grades your responses. Be sure to reference parts of the book and use quotes (unless it is a personal reflection).
Fr. Greg says that God creates us to be a delight and He hopes we join in. What does this mean? How can you join in God’s delight?
Provide 3 examples that illustrate Leon Dufour’s statement: “I think God is the person you’re talking to, the one right in front of you.”
Explain what it means when Thich Nhat Hahn writes, “Our true home is the present
moment.” Provide 2 examples to show your understanding.
Explain and provide 2 examples: “We begin to change the world by first changing how
we look at the world.”
When Thomas Merton writes, “No despair of ours can alter the reality of things, or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there,” what does he mean? Explain and provide 2 examples to show your understanding.
What are the source(s) of unconquerable gladness dwell in your life? How can you show more appreciation for your sources of unconquerable gladness?
Pick one of the parables. Explain how one of the people in the parables demonstrated one or more of the Catholic Social Teachings (CSTs).