Entertaining Angels

3.  When Dorothy told O’Neill, “I have something to give but I don’t know what it is – or to whom I’m supposed to give it! I want to live fully, to do something no one else has ever done before!” I really related to that statement. During my college search, I spent a lot of time trying to decide what I want out of life, and couldn’t come up with an answer. I know this is typical of people my age, but all I could decide was that I wanted something like what Dorothy described. I want to be good at something, but I want whatever I decide to do to challenge my intelligence, my thoughts, and my beliefs so that I can live fully and contently. It was this desire that made me apply to the University of Pennsylvania; the school that I felt would best fulfill this desire in my life. I do not plan to ever settle for less, but obviously I have not gotten there yet. I also relate to Dorothy’s statement when I think about my future career, because my main goal is to have a happy life, which means being full and content. However, I do not think that I need to do something that no one else has ever done before, but rather find a career and lifestyle that appeals to me.

         St. Augustine’s prayer applies to Dorothy because she was restless with her life until she found what God was calling her to do. She had to spend a lot of time reflecting on her life and grieving over her mistakes, but once she let God into her life she became drawn to helping others and deepening her faith, two passions that would sustain her for the rest of her life. Dorothy had a life that many other people would have been jealous of; she had a home in New York City and interesting friends and parties to attend. But she realized that she was unsatisfied with this life and chose to search for God's plan for her instead. This caused many times of struggle, uncertainty, and doubt in her life, but Dorothy's perseverance and faith lead to her success and determination, which is something that we all can admire and aspire to.

Theology of Suffering

1. Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering.

Unlike what I have been taught in the past, Jesus resisted and eliminated suffering. To me, this means that he does not want us to suffer, just as he did not want to suffer. I remember being taught in the past that when someone was going through a hard time, they should “offer it up to Jesus.” But considering that Jesus did not particularly enjoy suffering, it seems that he would not want us to suffer, much less offer our suffering for him.

2. Jesus rejected suffering as punishment for sin.

To me, this means that God does not cause us to suffer, and is suffering with us through the process. A lot of times it is easy to ask “Where is God?” when something bad or unexplainable happens to a person, but Jesus teaches that no one is punished for their actions with things that cause them to suffer.

3. Jesus trusted a compassionate, present God.

To me, this means that God is always willing to forgive my sins and wants me to live a happy life. It also means that God suffers with me in the bad times, just as he celebrates with me in the good times. God is willing to forgive me before I am even ready to ask for forgiveness, and is present through my life.

A Theology of Atonement/Ransom and A Theology of Incarnation

There are two traditional interpretations of Jesus’ suffering, A Theology of Atonement/Random and A Theology of Incarnation. A Theology of Atonement/Random refers to the belief that sacrifices were a method of reconciliation for sins. It also refers to the belief that sins require atonement, although a sufficient amount can never be offered. A Theology of Incarnation is the belief that God created humans in his image, and we are meant to share in life and love with God. This idea also suggests that God is not angry and does not want to punish us, but is gracious and loving.

I prefer the Theology of Incarnation view, because it makes me more hopeful. The idea that God loves everyone indefinitely, does not punish us, and created us in a holy image. This is my view on religion, because to me it should be something that comforts us instead of scares us.

Jean Donovan Reflection

5. Name four qualities that you recognize and admire in the life of Jean Donovan. What quality of Jean’s do you hope to embody with your life?

Jean Donovan, who gave her life serving others, is a role model for many people, especially young women. She was spiritual, courageous, loving, and willful, and she exemplified these qualities every day that she spent in El Salvador. I think that Jean’s other three qualities stemmed from her spirituality. She had a deep connection with God, and did not shy away from the path to El Salvador that she was called to embrace. She was quoted as saying, “"There are lots of times I feel like coming home [from El Salvador], but I really do feel strongly that God has sent me here” (Dear par 7). Because Jean let God into her life and followed his path, she received the courage that she needed to carry on her daily life in war-torn El Salvador, a place too terrifying for me to even imagine. Jean’s mother, Pat, is quoted as saying “She was ready to go... She had made her peace with whatever frightening thoughts she had (par 9).” Jean had the courage to remain in El Salvador because of her spirituality and her love for the children of the country. Her most famous quote best describes her loving and courageous spirit. Jean Donovan wrote, “Several times I have decided to leave El Salvador. I almost could except for the children, the poor bruised victims of this insanity. Who would care for them? Whose heart would be so staunch as to favor the reasonable thing in a sea of their tears and helplessness? Not mine, dear friend, not mine” (“Jean Donovan” par 18). While her courage and loving attitude kept her in El Salvador, her willfulness enabled her to refuse her family’s attempts to persuade her to return to the United States. Jean Donovan was determined in her mission, and ignored the dangers that it posed to her life.

As a young woman, I would love to have that courageous spirit that Jean Donovan had. Many times when opportunities to help others arose, I refused for selfish reasons such as not knowing anyone involved, or feeling uneasy about the project. Next year, I will be at the University of Pennsylvania, which is very involved in improving the community of West Philadelphia. I hope that I can embrace the challenges and joys of helping others and replace my fears with courage and love. I would also want to become more courageous to apply that to my studies. Many times I feel inadequate in terms of my intelligence when compared to people around me, and I feel like my fears hold me back from challenging myself academically. With a more courageous attitude, I feel like I would be able to really delve into my studies (especially in college) and find a career, such a medicine, where I can really help others.

Works Cited

Dear, John. "Even unto death: The martyrdom of Jean Donovan." U.S. Catholic. 03 Dec

2010. Web. 18 April 2012.

"Jean Donovan." Martyrs of Central America and Columbia. InterReligious Task Force

on Central America. Web. 18 April 2012.