Identify your neighbourhood…and dwell there. (HL)

The philosopher Martin Heidegger once said that to be human is to dwell. To use his very words, ‘Man is only in so far as he dwells.’ By dwelling, Heidegger means more than simply residing. Any living creature can reside. But to be human is to inhabit a place—to experience it from the inside—and allow that place to inhabit us. In a sense, it’s this inhabiting that turns a neutral, empty space into a fully human place invested with meaning. (Simon Carey Holt)

Mark 12:29-34
Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."

The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"

When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, "You're almost there, right on the border of God's kingdom."

Reflect on Jesus’ implied link between loving our neighbour and the Kingdom of God.

How would you define your neighbourhood?
- Name,
- Qualities,
- Landmarks,
- Boundaries.

How might a 12 year old child describe the boundaries of your neighbourhood?

Would this be a fair assessment?

There are multiple layers to your neighbourhood. Describe them.

Shopping Layer: draw a perimeter around the third spaces in your neighbourhood. (Grocery store, restaurants, shops, schools)

Social Layer: draw a perimeter around your where your neighbourhood friends live.

Street Layer: draw a perimeter around the households of those who are your neighbours in the most basic sense of the word.

Do you know or can you imagine what your primary boundary of engagement might be?

What percentage of your after work hours do you spend in your neighbourhood?

How many evenings and week end days per week do you spend in your neighbourhood?

Are your children active in your neighbourhood?

How are you, or might you imagine becoming, attentive to your neighbourhood?

These last 4 questions are CRUCIAL!