My project is coming along very well. I continue to receive more clothing and shoes for my clothing drive. Not only am I getting things from outside sources, but I am also donating. After cleaning my dorm room, I found plenty of things that I did not need. I continue to put all of this together and give it to the church I attend in New Orleans. By doing this, I know someone will benefit. Whether it is an individual or a family, I feel I have improved someone’s situation, whether in a small way or not. The camp is also winding down. Last week was the last week of the camp. I enjoyed myself immensely. The kids wore me out. They were always trying to learn knew things, and I was glad I was there to take part in the experience. Kids need feel that there is hope in their lives, and I hope I provided them with that. Everyone has a chance to improve their situations if desired, with a little help and faith from a “loving neighbor.”
The Beatitudes are in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. The Beatitudes concentrated on the sermon on the mountain. Here Jesus describes the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 5, the Torah, or the laws are the focus. It explains that every word in the Torah is of importance. There are eight beatitudes. The first is “Blessed are poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” This is referring to the people’s suffering. The second is “Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This means the Kingdom of God is much different than how we live our everyday lives. The third is “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Regardless of the situation you are in, more is sure to come. The fourth is “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. The fifth beatitude is “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The sixth beatitude is “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The seventh is “Blessed are the peacemaker, for they shall be called the sons of God.” And the last and final beatitude is “Blessed are those who persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs in the kingdom of Heaven.” There are also beatitudes in Luke 6. There are a total of four beatitudes in Luke 6. This chapter of Luke describes David’s dedication to God, tasks on the Sabbath day, and “the son of man.” The first beatitude is “Blessed are your poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.” The second is “Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.” The third beatitude is “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast your name as evil, on account of the son of man. All beatitudes are similar whether they are in Luke or Matthew. My project relates to the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and in Luke 6. The first beatitude in Matthew and in Luke is beatitudes that relate to poverty and my project. Both speak on how the poor are the most sought after and how their situations will improve.
The bible uses parables to teach different morals. My parable is…. One day a girl was a student at Xavier University and was only concerned with herself. For a project for a particular class, she had to volunteer at a camp for under-privileged children. She only goes to the camp and because she has to. She should instead be going because she wants to make a difference. For the most part all she did was ignore the kids and her duties as a counselor. Eventually, the girl who has turned into a successful woman is in trouble. She must find a lawyer. The lawyer she finds just happens to be one of the kids in the problem years before. Even though the woman who was once self involved, is being helped by someone she once thought to be a “nobody.” The lawyer remembered the camp the woman, but still decides to help her despite her previous ignorance. This is a parable to illustrate your love for your neighbor. No matter the status, anyone can be of use to you.
The chronological sequence of events from the beginning of Jesus’ entry in to Jerusalem until his resurrection is during a week long period of time. Jesus arrives into Jerusalem by donkey during the celebration of Passover. Passover is the celebration that the people were free from Egypt. As he entered the city, people began taking off their clothing and broke branches of the palm trees and placed them on the ground. The also yelled out “Hosanna!” Hosanna means save us please. It is referring to the Great Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which says hallelujah, which means praise Yahweh. This showed people’s true beliefs. Though they were skeptical, they remained steadfast to the prophesized words of the Old Testament.
Shortly after his arrival, Jesus visits the temple. Here, he becomes extremely furious and overturns the money table, which leads to his arrest. He upset because the church officials are using the temple as a place of business for their personal gain. They are switching money for profit. They are exchanging face coins to useless silver coins. After this incident, church officials know they have to get rid of Jesus. A day after he visits the temple, he gets questioned on his actions the previous day by religious officials.
On Wednesday, which is two days before the feast of Passover, Jesus continues to spread his teachings. He teaches the importance of the poor and other peoples roles in their lives. Jesus knows their time is near. In the meantime, Judas is betraying Jesus. He goes to speak with the authorities and agrees to help the Roman army catch Jesus. He betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
On Thursday, Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare for Passover. He tells them to find a man that will allow them to use a room for the Last Supper. Jesus continues to teach. He shows his humility when he washes the feet of the disciples. This leaves some of the disciples stunned. This also shows Jesus as human. He informs his disciples that one of them will betray him. During the last supper, Jesus breaks bread and drinks wine. These events are symbolic of communion today.
Jesus then leaves with the disciples for Mount Olives. Here, Jesus seats blood, because he is anticipating the day’s events. When Judas arrives with the Roman army he betrays Jesus with a kiss. This kiss tells the army that this is Jesus. When the army tries to take Jesus away, his disciples do their best to prevent it. Peter attacks a solider and cuts off his ear. Jesus then once again proves who he is by healing the man’s ear.
Jesus is then brought to the high priest, who asks him if he is the Son of God. Jesus replies saying yes and that the son of man will be sitting at the right hand of God. The high priest then sentences Jesus to death. On Friday Jesus is brought to Pontius Pilate and Herod. Both men try to determine a reason for Jesus’ execution, but neither can find a valid excuse. None of this matters, for their minds are made up. Herod mocks Jesus by giving him a robe and crown of thorns. This is supposed to symbolize that he was the king of the Jews. Jesus was then severely beaten and nailed to the cross.
I thought it was interesting how the pictures that depict Jesus being crucified are completely different. They actually nailed the feet together to save nails. And the hands were nailed at the wrists not in the center of the hands. The ones being crucified would usually have their shins broken, so that while on the cross their weight would take control, and they would suffocate. Jesus’ shins were not broken, because they wanted him to suffer. It was tradition to hang the person’s crime over their head. This has to be done for an official crucification. INRI was nailed over Jesus’ head. I stands for Iasus which means Jesus. N stands for Nazareth. R stands for Rex (king). The last I stands for Iudae which is Judea.
That Saturday Jesus was taken down off of the cross and Sunday he rose, just as the scriptures said. Days later, Jesus appears to the disciples and prepares them. He says that he will return to heaven, but will soon be back. Until then, he grants them the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide them he returns.

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