READING THE BIBLE GOD MATTERS XS IB CLE 2013-2014

WORKSHEET 5

Reading the Bible as Literature

ON THE PRINCIPLES OF LITERARY INTERPRETATION

GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Use the three principles of literary interpretation to come up with a full reading of a Biblical passage.

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS: 1. As a group, agree on which text i.e. passage each of the members is going to read. 2. Individually, research about your passage. Make sure that your sources are valid and legitimate. 3. After gathering enough data, discuss among yourselves the passage you have chosen. Agree on the genre of the text. Cite evidences to support your claim (genre). Then articulate the Author Meaning and Text Meaning of the passage. When you do these, make sure that you employ the big ideas of the three principles on literary interpretation. 4. When your group is done, work individually for the Personal Meaning of the text. Elaborate on it i.e. articulate your context so that any reader would clearly understand your reading. 5. Complete the table on the next page. 6. When you are done, upload your worksheet to Scribd, and embed it to your PLW.

BIBLICAL PASSAGES (CHOOSE ONE):

The Potters Vessel

JEREMIAH 18, 1-12

Promises of Redemption & Restoration

ISAIAH 43, 1-11

The Visit of the Magi

MATTHEW 2, 1-12

The Healing of a Deaf Man

MARK 7, 31-37

The Parable of the Lost Son

LUKE 15, 11-32

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NAME:

Federico Pua
LC NO.: DATE:

1
PASSAGE

August 6, 2013

The Parable of the Lost Son

LUKE 15, 11-32 LITERARY GENRE

Parable
AUTHOR MEANING The author meaning, given by the pope through a homily, talks about the stages of human towards God. He talks about the childishness we carry on from our youth to when we grow older. Humans still tend to be overly dependent to God while still committing sin which in a way, ruins the relationship. The attitude of God is seen as an everlasting love and mercy which in a way, make people complacent and lose sight of this grace that we do not really deserve.

TEXT MEANING The text talks about a son who disobeys his father who in the end forgives him for his sins. With key themes such as the nature of envy and jealously (in the part of the other brother) and the presence of forgiveness (in the part of the prodigal son), this parable is an allegory to our lives being humans who constantly sin. Although there will be multiple interpretations, the explicit mentions of forgiveness are highlighted and thought of when one looks at this text.

PERSONAL MEANING I personally found this parable to relate with temptation and temporary lapses we usually experience with not just our loved ones but God Himself. The thought of momentary happiness usually dominates the reality of a better future which we as humans, are weak against. I believe that the presence of these sins are evident in our lives and cannot be stopped most of the time. What really matters is what we do afterwards. Do we continue committing this sin or do we ask God for redemption? I honestly try my best to redeem myself through the sacrament of reconciliation and the promise to never commit this kind of sin again.

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