Term Two Focus: What does it mean to be inclusive?
In Religious Studies we often reflect on the person of Jesus, his characteristics, teachings and portrayal within the Gospels. Our students are encouraged to come to an understanding of Jesus as a way or “light” guiding them towards living an ethical life as the best person they can be, striving to be Christlike. A focus this term will be on Jesus’ passion for inclusivity and how it is important that we too as a Benedictine community are welcoming and accepting of all people.
In doing this, questions do arise over the current trend within our churches today. It has been observed even by members of the clergy themselves that our churches have “become less and less inclusive…demanding a purity and exclusivity not demanded by Jesus in the Gospels”. Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser reminds us that to be “Catholic” means wide and universal and that we should not be narrow, exclusive and overly selective when defining our faith family.
The recent works of Chris Geraghty will inform our understanding and focus this term. He goes further to argue that Jesus is “the forgotten feminist”. Geraghty considers Jesus a “rebel. Outrider. A disturber of peace and good order…prepared to take on the leaders of the establishment”. His works emphasise how inclusive Jesus was as shown by who he associated with, how he treated them and engaged with them. These outsiders included women and they were very important to his mission and within the first Christian communities after Jesus’ death. According to Geraghty,
“Jesus’ primary message centred on a kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven – a kingdom that
was peopled by sinners, by the lost and the lame, the blind and the deaf, by children and by
women – a kingdom where everyone was equal and the first were last and the servant of all.
A vision in which people loved one another and in which it didn’t matter whether you were
black or white, Jew or Gentile, young or old, slave or free, male or female…A kingdom of
heaven on earth. In the life of Jesus and in his kingdom, women were front and centre –
female friends and companions; female admirers and camp-followers who worked with
him…He consistently treated them with dignity and respect…listened to them and
communicated directly with them. Not once did he condemn a woman…Jesus treated women
as friends and enjoyed their company…Women were accepted, without comment, as
followers of Jesus, as disciples…”
Our units of work this term will be influenced by this perspective as we cover the following areas:
- 7 Religious Studies: Sacred Scripture – the stories of women of the Old Testament and their important lessons
- 8 Religious Studies: Into the Likeness of Christ – the inclusivity of Jesus
- 9 Religious Studies: Sacraments of Healing – the healing mission of Jesus and the Kingdom
- 10 Religious Studies: The Gospels – the portraits of Jesus, is he “the forgotten feminist”?
Louise East - Religious Studies Coordinator