Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [1]

Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

Student’s Copy In Theology 1, Searching for God in the World Today,

we saw that “theology” is about reflecting on the ordinary,
TH221 E CELEBRATING GOD’S PRESENCE the everyday life. Theology is a process or a practice of
AS A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY consciously and methodically reflecting on our experience of
God in the ordinariness of life and social and historical events
of the world; using the methodology of “see-discern-act/pray.”
Topic 1: Theology of Signs and Symbols
Ultimately the goal of theology is for us to have a deeper
ANAMNESIS versus AMNESIA
and intimate relationship with God-in-Jesus.
(We Remember. We Believe. We Celebrate. We
Love.) In that course, we talked about our everyday;
“Revelation-Faith,” the Bible, Jesus of Nazareth, His death
and resurrection as a life given for the sake of the
Objective: At the end of this session the student is able to Kingdom so that all may experience kaginhawaan or
design a ritual-celebration that incorporates salvation.
remembrance, believing, celebrating and loving using
relevant signs and symbols coming from the student’s St. Vincent de Paul is an example of one who tried
ordinary everyday life and experience of love. to follow Jesus in his own ways in his time. Today, we
. are also invited to retell the story of God’s life and love
by following Jesus as students.

In Theology 2, Responding to God’s Call by Becoming

Fully Human, using the same methodology of “see-
From “Responding to God” to discern-act/pray,” the course dealt with what it means to
“Celebrating God’s presence” be truly and fully human from the Christian perspective. This
is our way of responding to the invitation of God-in-Jesus
Welcome to the third theology subject/course in
whose Spirit is ever-present and active in the world.
Adamson University’s Theology Curriculum on Faith
Journey towards Social Transformation. We started with the Christian vision of humanity
that challenges us to become truly and fully human and fully
alive as the image of God in our realities of body and soul,

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [2]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

male and female, in our everyday life, experiences, and Celebrating God’s Presence
relationships of love and failure to love, suffering, and
goodness of God, and even in death. In this Theology 3, Celebrating God’s Presence as
a Christian Community, we will realize that we are not
To be truly and fully human and fully alive, we alone in our journey of becoming truly and fully human
focused on the need to practice virtues or good habits (or and fully alive. God-in-Jesus continues to be present to us
“mabuting gawi”) in everyday life. The practice and as a pilgrim People of God - the church. The church-
“perfection” of virtues as good habits or habits of being community of today continues to proclaim in words and
human or habits of the heart are what will help us and shape deeds the liberating message of Jesus by being relevant in
us to become good persons with the help of a community and its mission of evangelization in the context of new
role models. Together with Sacred Scriptures and the challenges or “signs of the times”, especially those that
example of St. Vincent de Paul, and using the rich resource affect severely the poor and the suffering, in the spirit and
of the Filipino culture and tradition, we reflected on the example of St. Vincent de Paul.
virtues of hospitality and gratitude (“pagmamagandang
loob”), prudence and temperance (“paglilimi at From this understanding of the church in solidarity
pamumuhay ng sapat”), self-care and integrity with the whole of humanity and the whole of creation, we are
(“pangangatawan ng loob”), fidelity and mutuality able to better understand the sacraments as celebrations of
(“katapatan sa kapwa”), temperance and risk-taking God’s active presence of love and life in the world and as a
(“pagtataya at hiya”), reconciling/forgiving and challenge for us (as church-community) to give witness to
compassion/mercy (“pagbabalik-loob at pagmamalasakit”), its story as the sacrament of Christ’s saving unity and
and finally, justice, courage and hope ( “bahala na” with fellowship in the world.
“katarungan”). The opposite of virtue is vice or
“masamang gawi” or “di-magandang gawi”). Vices are
obstacles to becoming truly and fully human, and Let us “SEE”
therefore they move us further away from our true
selves. My most “prized” or “cherished” possession.

All of us have objects or things that we consider

important or valuable. It can be that these objects or

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [3]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

things have a connection with a significant and 2. How do you show or express that these items or
memorable person, an experience or a moment in our objects are important to you? What do you usually do
life. We carry these objects or things in our bodies, purse or how do you usually treat these objects/items?
or bag, or they are placed in a particular place in our
house or bedroom. Think of just one (1) important or ________________________________________________
significant or memorable item or object that you ___________________________
cherished. Then write your answers on the spaces
________________________________________________
provided in the worksheet.
___________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
3. Do you think it is possible for other people to also see
Name: _____________________ Class Time: your most prized/cherished possession as their
____________________ Date: ____________ prized/cherished possession? Why or Why not?

My most prized or cherished possession that reminds me ________________________________________________

of a person, an experience or a life-moment is: ___________________________
_______________________________________
________________________________________________
1. Why do you consider it as your most ___________________________
prized/cherished possession? What is its connection
to your life? Group Sharing:
(You have 20 minutes for the sharing.)
________________________________________________
___________________________

________________________________________________ Class Plenum: (Reporters are called to give a summary of

___________________________ their group sharing.)

(Sample Processing: Teacher may or may not use

these.)

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [4]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

Time” is over we continue to hold on to such experience,

and it continues to influence our life. They may be
Synthesis: (by the Teacher)
moments of successes or failures, struggles, joys and
hopes, grief and anxieties, etc.

Such remembering of those “special moments in

time” is usually facilitated by signs and symbols
Let us “Discern” around us: ordinary objects that bring us to such
moment or experience by pointing to it and somehow
making it present once again to us. These signs or
1. We Remember symbols transform ordinary time, ordinary space, and
Many of the items or objects we shared to our ordinary meaning into sacred time, sacred space, and
group are not really important or valuable in themselves. sacred meaning (Mircea Eliade). At this point an example
Most of them are ordinary, everyday objects or items, might be in order: (The teacher may also share a story
almost easily accessible and readily available to almost from his/her own experience, instead of the one given
anyone. Yet, we cannot deny and neither can we ignore below.)
the fact that for people they are meaningful and
You are in a restaurant or mall and suddenly
important, something that is considered prized or
you hear a familiar song being played in the
cherished possessions. What makes these objects/items
background. The song is your favourite (what is
important or meaningful is that they are somewhat link
it for you?) Suddenly you tell yourself “it is our
either to a person, event or experience that we have in
theme song”. By “our” you are actually
the past that we find meaningful and significant;
referring to a “special someone”. At this point
though not exclusively pleasant. It can be that the
the song or music is a sign (it points to a
object/item is linked to a parent, a present or past lover,
particular event, person or experience) until you
a friend, a good and inspiring teacher, or maybe even an
start “to lose awareness or consciousness” of
enemy. It can also be that the object is linked to happy
your present time, space and meaning and the
memories from the past and which continue to give us
people with you and somewhat begin to be
strength or courage. Even after that “One Moment in
“transported back” to that moment in time

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [5]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

where you are with that special someone, reasons for amnesia – it can be medical or physiological
enjoying his/her company, laughter, jokes and condition, or an unconscious or unaware tendency not to
sharing of life’s tidbits, of experiences. Now the remember the past, particularly the saddest or painful
music has become a symbol (it makes you ones. Amnesia is also a disposition in life of not seeking
present to the experience or making the the value or worth of things, people or events that
experience present to you again). You happen to us. We just live the day with no meaning or
continue to linger with the song until you are significance, and nothing affects us or disturbs us. In
“re-awakened” by a strong tap on your shoulder anamnesis however, we decide to give meanings to
or your elbow being shaken by a friend, asking things and people that affect us. They become part of
what is happening to you because they seem to our memory not simply of the past but the memory say
have lost you in the group. And you simply something about our present life and it points to some
smile; you are inspired and renewed by that more meanings about the future.
short, flash experience of sacred time, sacred
space, and sacred meaning, and say “I’m fine.
I’m okay. What is that again?” The smile now 2. We Believe
replaced by a big, wide grin.
Such objects or items that you consider “cherished
Who knows how long such a grin will remain in your or prized possessions” are treated as such by you because
face and lips. Who knows how long you will remain they are linked to experiences that you consider sacred,
inspired and renewed. But such is the power of i.e. important, meaningful and mysterious in (your) life.
remembering or anamnesis – something or someone is Joseph Martos calls such experiences “key-experiences of
remembered by reliving it or him/her. Anamnesis not life”. The following are key experiences we all share in
only evokes the experience of the past but also continue life: birth (newness or renewal of life); adulthood, love,
to affect, influence, and inspire the future. In life we do friendship, community; human frailty, weakness, sin,
a lot of remembering. That is part of being human. WE and forgiveness and reconciliation; sickness, near-death
REMEMBER. experience, care and compassion for others; commitment
The opposite of anamnesis is amnesia or and fidelity to family; courage, risk-taking and fidelity
forgetfulness or the refusal to remember. There are many and loyalty to one’s (role in) society; and death, justice

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [6]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

and hope. They are called “key-experiences” because Can you imagine what will happen the moment
they open up to us deeper meanings in life and we forget what it means to be truly and fully human?
influence the meaning we give to all our other What happens when those items that you consider
experiences. Tad Guzie calls such experiences “lived- cherished or prized possessions no longer mean anything
experiences” which for him are “the rhythm that makes to you because you can no longer recall or remember the
life human”. It is what human life is all about. It is by people, story, event, experience associated or link with
focussing on such experiences that we discover those items/objects? What will happen when we can no
gradually the meaning and depth of our true and full longer recall or remember those experiences that make us
humanity. truly and fully human; and when sign and symbols no
longer point to or make present experiences that inspire
We treasure our “lived experiences” or “key and renew us to live as one? What happens if all
experiences” because deep down within us we know humanity suffers from a kind of massive “Humanity-
that this is what it means for us to be truly and fully Amnesia”, or massive “Humanity-Alzheimer’s Disease”?
human: to live a life of love, friendship and community; a
life of forgiveness and reconciliation, care and The National Institute of Aging of the US reports
compassion, commitment and fidelity, courage and risk- that symptoms of Alzheimer may include increase
taking, fidelity and loyalty, justice and hope. To focus on memory loss and confusion; problem with one’s own
them and to treasure anything (signs and symbols) that identity and role, and that of others; problem recognizing
allow us to get in touch with these realities is for us to even family and friends; inability to learn new things;
believe that after all life is not in vain. Together we can confusion with time or place, changes in mood and
disagree with the writer of the book of Sirac/Qoheleth personality, among others. Life would be in chaos.
when s/he writes “Vanity of vanities; and everything in Everyone is confused; no meaningful past, no
life is vanity.”(Ecc.1:2) and proclaim that life has a meaningful present and no meaningful future. We
deeper and richer meaning unfolding itself in our simply do not know what to do. We simply will not
experiences. That is what we believe. That is why WE know how to live; and much more to live as truly and
BELIEVE. fully human beings!

The good news is that we humans have a way of

3. We Celebrate ensuring that we do not forget especially those

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [7]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

experiences that are valuable or important to us. We not overwhelming that we cannot “handle” it alone and somehow
only engage in remembering. We engage in re-telling. we want to share it to the whole world.
We share with others in the community. In other words,
Birth is one example of such experience. Do I
we celebrate. The simplest way of sharing is through
simply engage in simple story-telling during my
simple story-telling. Through the simple story-telling
birthday? Do I simply tell the story of what happen when
process we allow people to enter and be part of our
I was born? Do I simply do the story-telling every year;
experience and we in turn allow our experience, our
year in and year out? The same is true for example with
story, to enter their own experience, their own life. As a
anniversaries; or lifetime commitment of love for a
result the experience or story “grows”. It acquires greater
person; or even death and mourning. Do we simply tell
depth, more meaning and significance.
the story year in and year out? I think you will agree that
That’s what happen for example when you had something more is required?
your first date with your “crush” and everything turns
It is here that the value of ritual-celebration
out well. You cannot wait to be back home so that you
comes into the picture. Different signs and symbols can
can call and tell your best friend the most beautiful and
be combined together to form an elaborate and intricate
exhilarating “story or experience” of your life. The date
ritual for the purpose of celebration. Rituals are
lasted only for a few minutes or for two hours but the
“repetitious patterns of behavior involving the use of signs and
story telling goes on until the early morning hours of the
symbols which evoke the feeling of the particular event which
following day, around six to seven hours and without
initially called the community into being with such power that
sleep.
it effects our presence at such event and at the same time makes
But sometimes mere story-telling is not enough. us also present once again to those events.”
It is better if the sharing takes place with as many people
A good example of a ritual-celebration is a
as possible with whom you share some affinity or
birthday party. There you encounter different signs and
connection. And even much better if the whole
symbols: balloons, cake, drinks, food, people, gifts,
community is involve. This is true especially if the
greetings, singing, etc. They all form an elaborate and
experience falls under what we have mentioned before as
intricate ritual for the purpose of celebrating birth or the
“key-experiences” or “lived-experiences.” In some
beginning of a new life. Of course the more we
instances, the experience is so charged with meaning and so

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [8]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

understand the signs and symbols and their meaning in

the celebration, the more we can understand and
appreciate the meaning of what is celebrated. 4. We love (We live)

George Worgul defines celebration “as moments of Although everything we do can be considered
focusing our minds and our hearts, our total being to the human activity, simply because they are done by
reality or experience of our humanity.” They are moments humans, there are some actions that can be considered
of invitation to get hold of ourselves and experience in a more fully and distinctively human. These are the
kind of “moment of truth” the depth and reality of actions that raise the whole of our life or existence on the
human life in the company and presence of others. The level of the genuinely human; they are actions/habits
communal celebrations enable us to have a communal that make us truly and fully human if and when we live by
interpretation of the experience, adding depths and them. Examples of these are the key or lived experiences we
richness to our understanding of the particular event or mentioned before.
experience. In the process humanity is transformed; the In Theology 2 they were called virtues or virtuous
individual and the community are provided with a actions, good habits, habits of being human, habits of the
deeper understanding and appreciation of the meaning heart. In this lesson they were seen deeply embedded or
involved in the particular event or experience. Most attached to certain events or experiences (key-
often, even after the celebration is over, the celebration- experiences or lived-experiences) as their deepest and
experience continues to affect us. most profound meaning. They make us want to
We want our (key-) experience to reveal more, to remember, to believe, to celebrate. They are what are
unfold more meaning and depth in relation to our life, truly and fully human in life inviting us and challenging us
our humanity. After all, meaning grows, deepens, to live the very same meaning and depth we so earnestly seek
unfolds, develop. Humans do not want to forget. But and wish to understand.
Humans do not simply want to remember. Humans need The best way to show what we consider really
and want to celebrate. That is why WE CELEBRATE. valuable and meaningful so much so that we want or
When we celebrate, we remember by believing in need to remember, believe, celebrate is by making them
things that matter most to us as persons and as a our way of life, our communal lifestyle, living
community.

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 Theology 3: Celebrating Christ’s Presence as a Christian Community [9]
Topic 1: Anamnesis versus Amnesia

according to them. We live according to what we it does not rejoice over wrong doing but
remember, believe, celebrate. But what is the core of rejoices with the truth. It bears all
every true human value or virtue? Donald De Marco things, believes all things, hopes all
believes that it is LOVE. James Keenan calls it Charity, things, endure all things.
the mother of all virtues. As such, virtues are concerned
Love never fails.”
more with the interior life than the external act; virtues
are more concerned with the heart than with the head. We have to live according to what we remember,
Love brings together in a carefully balance way all the believes, celebrate. That means WE MUST LOVE.
moral/human values. In the Letter to the Corinthians,
Paul writes: (1Cor 13:1-8)

“If I speak in human and angelic Let us “ACT”/ PRAY

tongues but do not have love, I am a
resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy and A. Group Ritual Presentation

comprehend all mysteries and all B. Group Presentation
knowledge; if I have all faith so as to C. Feedbacks.
move mountains but do not have love, I D. Prayer
am nothing.

If I give away everything I own, and if I Prepared for IRED by:

handed my body over so that I may boast
but do not have love, I gain nothing. Gabriel M. de los Santos

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not

jealous, is not pompous, it is not
inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek
its own interest, it is not quick- 3389.
tempered, it does not brood over injury,

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