Jesus, An Upstander,                       And Me!
By: Vivian Luong
The Reign of God (10/3/08)
The Reign of God is the time of 
God's reign. It is not a place, but 
instead an experience or time. Jesus 
understood this concept as a new 
social order based on people's 
relationship with others and God. 
This new social order is based on the 
unconditional love for one another. 
The Reign of God is characterized by
 peace, joy, freedom, and love.  


Universe of Obligation 10/17/08 
Common Good 10/17/08
Universe of Obligation is 
defined as the name given 
to the circle of individuals 
and groups "toward whom 
obligations are owed, to 
whom rules apply, and 
whose injuries call for 
amends (from class notes)." 
Since everyone chooses who
is included in their Universe of 
Obligation, everyone's Universe 
of Obligation is different. 
Common Good is defined as
a good to which all members 
of a society have access to 
achieve by working together
to make sure that every individual's 
rights to what is needed for 
a genuinely human life, such as
 food, shelter, clothing, education,
 safety, work, and health.
This concept is important or significant
to me because this lesson described what 
the Reign of God was like. The descriptions were described as peaceful, involves people treating one another with kindness, and a time of helping others with their needs. Living in a time like this would be 
perfect. Knowing about this concept, I have hope that a time like this will come. This is possible 
because Jesus wants us to live with one another 
with peace and love. With everyone believing this will happen, the Reign of God will come. 


This concept is important or significant because it taught me that I can choose 
who is in my Universe of Obligation. I learned that I should include everyone in my Universe of Obligation. I agree with everyone being in my Universe of Obligation because everyone needs to be cared for and there should be room in all our universes of obligation to include eveyone. This will cause peace amongst everyone. 

This concept is important or significant because I learned that everyone should be working to make sure one another's rights and needs are met. Everyone should be able to live a normal life that does not lack any necessities. Everyone should experience the same opportunities in life. I agree that working together for the good of one another's lives is the right thing to do and one of the most loving things to do for one another. 
The Reign of God can be exhibited through many things, such as a soup kitcen staff providing food for those who need to be fed, those working for their own rights, and those volunteering in the community. If these things are done, the results are peace amongst everyone 
I want to take my part in doing all these things in my life. I actually have experience two of these things. I started volunteering in 7th grade, I have experienced a lot of volunteering since then. I did things like volunteering at Sacred Heart Community Center and I felt good about the things that I did while volunteering. I once volunteered in a soup kitchen feeding the homeless.   


The Common Good can be exhibited through others who choose to do good for others. Things that some people may do are caring for others by volunteering to change the lives of those in need, such as the homeless and less fortunate. I myself want to have this concept lived out through my life. I want to take part in the community by insuring that other's rights and necessities are met. An Example of others who do this are health organizations, such as the Red Cross.
I have always wanted to keep those close to me in my Universe of Obligation, but this changed as I became older. While growing up, I started seeing those in need and I started to care about those I did not know, such as the homeless or poor. My sense of compassion grew through out my life while I grew up. Examples of others who have included everyone in their Universe of Obligation is a health organization, such as the Red Cross.