DP #4: Clues into Jesus' Teachings

The Canticles in Luke, Jesus' refugee experience and the context of 1st century Palestine lead us to expect that Jesus' teachings will address those who are suppressed and mistreated. During the first century, 70% of Palestine was living in extreme poverty, while the wealthy were leaving disgustingly well. Similarily, there were many refugees concerning Jesus' history and life. These situations that Jesus grew up learning or experiencing shows us that Jesus will focus his life to helping these people and their tragic situations.

DP #3: What Does the Inclusion of the four women tell us about Jesus' message and teachings?

These four women, all strong willed and extremely intelligent, tell us that Jesus will defy his expected role in society, as well as be remembered in history for centuries to come. The women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy changed their future, as well as the future of their later generations. The women, whether ethically or not, took their unjust situations and greatly improved them. Jesus, like these strong, independent women, can be expected to be an independent, tough man who, motivated to improve grave situations and people lives, would change the world.

Dp #1: Why We Tell Stories

When I was five years old, my family and I took a vacation to Italy. There, we stayed in a friend's house who happened to own a horse, Bamboo. At the time, I was fascinated with horses so I always offered to be the one to feed it. The story my parents often tell is when I was asking to feed Bamboo, I told them I wanted to feed Bamboo a big bikini. They asked "Are you sure that is what you want to feed Bamboo?" Then I responded, "Yes! Lets go pick a big bikini to give to the horse!" Of course, I was talking about a zucchini, but I didn't know that. Everyone in the room started to laugh at me, but I did not understand my mistake. Eventually, I learned the difference between bikini and zucchini, but from time to time, this infamous story is told. I think that my parents enjoy telling this story because it is one that represents my personality as a child. The story not only tells of a funny mistake young children often make, but it also reminds everyone of enjoyable times on our vacation so long ago. That vacation marked a time in our family, especially for my parents, that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. It was a time before siblings protested family vacation, and a time just before we all started becoming adolesents. My parents love to tell this story because it encapsulates that seems all too long ago.