In the Sermon on the Mount assignments, I discovered that there were so many intricate details that led to Jesus’ teachings on how to live. I discovered that Jesus preached on topics such as divorce, oaths, retaliation, avoiding condemnation, and the golden rule, as well as others. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus covers so many topics such as the Beatitudes, that a clear understanding can be obtained on how to live from his preaching. Jesus told us how to live in the Sermon on the Mount.

In my questionnaire, I found myself as a moral person, but not necessarily a Christian person. I feel like I did the moral thing in most cases, but was not necessarily “Christlike” in the situations. For instance in life, I want to get a very good job, marry a good looking wife, and raise a good family, while making a lot of money. I don’t think there is anything morally wrong with those aspirations in life, but Christ would disagree, saying true happiness doesn’t come from looks or money. Christ would want me to give money away, rather than having it and in that case, I felt as though I was moral but not Christian.

I would like to remember the article, “Inside the Mind of an Iraqi Suicide Bomber,”because I think this is a great example of how consciences can develop differently. Marwan desired to be a suicide bomber and this was his dream. He dreamed to murder tens to thousands of innocent people. In his mind, this was okay because of the way he had formed his conscience. His conscience told him that this type of killing was okay because it would lead him to the afterlife and he would be rewarded for these “murders.” I think this article needs to be remembered because it demonstrates how different consciences can develop in different societies and we need to be aware of that.

I think the Ten Commandmentsare a valuable set of lessons that obviously cannot be forgotten. Jesus gives us these Ten Commandments as a guide to living a good life as he tells this to the rich manwho asks him what he needs to do to be saved. These Commandments tell us how to live and are essential in our own lives, as each and every person should strive to live by these.

If you had to look at your life so far, would you be able to call yourself a Christian? A Catholic? Have you taken advantage of the obvious rules and guidelines that Jesus has given to you, The Ten Commandments and The Beatitudes?

Looking back on my life, I don’t think I would be able to call myself a Catholic, but at this point in my life I think it’s safe to say that I look at myself as a Christian. I attend Mass every Sunday and holy day, I have a consistent relationship with God, and I attempt to live out the Beatitudes and Ten Commandments. If I were able to call myself a Catholic, I would think that I would be able to live out the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes almost flawlessly, living very close to them. I don’t feel that I am there, but I do think I am a Christian. I think this is a critical question that everyone needs to pause and ask themselves at different times in their lives. I feel that reflecting on the past can help enlighten and produce a better future.