Class today was good. It was good to have a little time to discuss Lohfink’s book with my small group and see what their reaction to the book was. They seemed to get many of the same themes as I did throughout the book with much of the conversation leaning toward being a contrast community and the implications of that. The discussion concerning domination was uncomfortable, but I think it probably was supposed to be. It seems to be one of those things that nobody wants to talk about, but that is neccesary to shed light on. It seems like the tendency in a group like ours is to move directly into political and economic oppression, which needs to be adressed, but I feel like the core issue of domination in any context is theological. It is the sin in the world that causes people to be selfish and ambitious without regard to any other persons. The church truely does need to be a contrast society in regard to power. We need to become like Jesus who came to serve and the be a servant as he explained to his disciples as he washed their feet with the cross just ahead. We should not have these worldly desires for authority and power, but we should show Christ in love and humility. The Church needs to address these issues within its own ranks while at the same time being concerned with the world around it. One without the other is lacking.
