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Sigua
Dela Peña
Licup
Torres
Concepcion
Verano

Back when I was still in high school, the thought of academic responsibilities triggered me to the
point that I lost my way of asking for guidance. There are even times that at night, I cry myself to
sleep as I feel my peace being taken away continued not until we were again introduced to
religious activities at this college which I believe helped me to strengthen my spirituality.
Through the form of constant ABS Sessions with my groupmates, not only did I appreciate the
thought of communication and teamwork, but I loved the idea that I am able to reflect on my
experiences in relation to God with other people too. Through the fruitful discussion of the
lessons starting from the Prelims aided in widening my knowledge of God and the history, we
had back then leading to the spread of Christianity up until now. Lastly, as a person who doesn't
read the Bible much often, it is deemed crucial how I am able to appreciate the Words of God
through it which also serves as a foundation of our faith.

I took up theology in the previous school that I attended and I was pretty much very familiar
with the topics discussed this semester, for this reason, I took the lessons half-heartedly
and thought to myself that I’ve been here and done that before. What I didn’t expect was the
part where you get to interact with others so much, may it be groupworks or bible sharing,
most of the outputs were groupworks and you constantly get to hear insights from others
and I find it quite fascinating how different perspectives work. Theology as a subject to me
was definitely more than meets the eye, I expected more memorization of terms and
self-reflections because that’s what I was used to. With all that said I believe theology this
semester gets me to appreciate the relationship I have with God, it’s a relationship where I
know that He’s but I don’t acknowledge it as much because I’m not worried if I’d go astray
and I’m quite comfortable on where I stand right now. God's love can have a profound
impact on one's well-being, providing comfort, support, and a sense of purpose, and I firmly
stand by that.

In Theology 101, the lesson focused on the Christian command to "love the Lord your God
with all your heart, soul, and mind," emphasizing that genuine love involves trust in God and
those around us. The concept of God's pagpapadama, exploring reasons for falling and
remaining in love with God, led me to reflect on my personal experiences. Recalling a failed
human relationship, the realization I had emerged that true love involves staying committed
even in busyness, mirroring God's constant presence despite our lapses in prayer. The
lesson underscored the importance of falling in love with God, highlighting His forgiveness,
attentive listening, and unwavering love. Drawing from de Mesa and Cacho (2012), the
distinction between falling and staying in love was noted, emphasizing the latter's
requirement of decision and commitment. After all, I am beyond thrilled with what God has in
planned for me here. I learned the importance of self-care toward the end of the subject discussion.
We must not forget to care for ourselves since we cannot love others until we first love ourselves.
Theology has taught me that all we do must be directed toward Him since God is constantly there
for us. As a result, I was able to strengthen my relationship with God by constantly making time for
Him.

For the whole semester, I have treated theology as a comfort subject, as I only had to listen
and relax. However, the subject gave me more than I asked for, it made me realize how
great God truly is. Just like God’s love for us, He gives us more than what we asked for.
With that being said, this semester had truly been a roller coaster ride of emotions, as my
faith got tested, and my mental and physical strength were tested as well, this may seem
like something tragic but I see this as a learning experience. God had helped me and taught
me to strengthen my faith and myself, to add, God had helped me realize my mistakes and
what I should improve on myself. Moving on, the subject of Theology 101 allowed me to
connect and share with my classmates which had been a blast, as I heard their inspiring
and motivating stories, my heart was moved to a greater purpose, which is to serve God
and to share his words. With that, my final realization would be that God is always there and
God will never leave you, as God’s love never forgets, never judges, and is always within
everyone’s hearts.

This semester has been a transformative journey for me in terms of my understanding of

Theology 101 and Christianity, particularly within the Catholic faith. At the beginning of the
semester, my knowledge was minimal, but over the months, I have gained a comprehensive
understanding of various theological concepts. One of the significant insights I've acquired is a
deeper understanding of the concept that human beings are created in God's image. This
realization has shaped my perspective on human existence and our relationship with the divine.
Additionally, I have delved into the profound implications of sin, recognizing the destructive
nature it carries. This newfound understanding has led me to reflect on the importance of
repentance, the role of the Holy Spirit and the Bible, the essence of faith, dependence on God,
and the concept of salvation. Throughout the course, my personal, spiritual, religious, and
theological growth has been evident. The teachings and knowledge imparted have contributed
significantly to my development. The exploration of the foundations of belief has not only
equipped me with the tools to be a better Christian but has also fostered my personal growth. I
am grateful for the growth and insights gained, and I look forward to continuing this journey of
faith and learning.

A common knowledge for everyone that Theology, as an academic subject, mainly shapes
the beliefs, practices, and values of students. While this is a given significance of the course
itself, personally, there are many more impacts that I realized throughout my reflection.
Theology 101 challenged some of my beliefs and worldviews, it made me think and
elucidate my own rumination. Moreover, there were instances wherein through the subject,
shared experiences among students and the professor developed my understanding of the
significance of ethical and moral principles. With this I believe, I was indulged with my
progress of self-development. It is without a doubt that the role of Theology has been
progressing and evolving regarding its role in the education system. Given that the
institution itself upholds the study of Theology, yet, it allows the motivation for positive social
change, hence providing inherent dignity and wise principles for students like me. Through
the diverse impact of the subject and lessons included within the course, whether through
personal faith, beliefs, or even social views, the shaping of human experience in profound
ways is upheld.