Week 19: Homework

Reading Assignment:
Read Chapter 21 of Theology and Sanity, “Dispensing the Gifts”—pp. 289-310.

Questions:

1. Man is a social being. In what ways are we bound to others as social beings? What does this fact require of religion? (p.290)
2. How did Christ leave his followers organized? How does this parallel the relationship God had with the Jews in the old covenant? What expression is used in the Apostle’s Creed to describe this? (p. 291)
3. By what means does God offer us the spiritual gifts of Life and Truth? (p.291)
4. What do we mean when we say the Church is infallible? Why? Where does this power of infallibility come from? (p.294)
5. How is the Pope infallible? Does God promise the pope some special message or illumination? How does the pope learn his doctrine? (p. 295)
6. In a definition of faith and morals by the pope what does Infallibility account for? (p.295)
7. What does Sheed mean when he says the Bible cannot defend itself? (p. 296)
8. What, according to Sheed, is man’s principal business on earth? (p. 298)
9. How do the sacraments reflect man’s nature? (p. 300)
10. Why must men maintain the proper balance between spirit and matter? What are the dangers of becoming imbalanced? (p. 301)
11. How is the Eucharist different from the other sacraments? (p.302)
12. Do priests offer new sacrifices in order to give the faithful life? (p.303)
13. On page 305, Sheed says that the gifts of life and truth that the Church offers come through the Church, but not from it. Why is this an important distinction?

Reflection Questions:

1. On page 291, Sheed, speaking of man’s responsibility to seek truth and life, states “It is not part of His [God’s] purpose to do for men what they can very well do themselves, but only what they cannot. . .God […] expects man to the uttermost that he can.” How well do you think you’re fulfilling this responsibility? Do you have reason to be proud of yourself? Do you need to improve your game?
2. How would you respond if someone asked you why you remain a Catholic when there are so many sinful people in the clergy and the Church in general?