Blog Post 2: Analysis of Milton, Soto, & Kolvenbach

Lauren Bailey

ENG 101

Dr. Ellis

September 22, 2020

 

 

Blog Post 2

 

            Human beings were designed to thrive in a very specific environment. I am convinced (especially after reading these three works) that there are some necessary elements for that habitat of societal flourishing. What I noticed in the three readings, is that they at least include but of course are not limited to, faith and the inherent and integrated element of working and serving others. 

            To being with, I want to discuss the relationship between faith and service, as seen in Milton’s poem. Milton discusses his daily work in conjunction with his faith. He says that he was overcome, “Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent / To serve therewith my Maker, and present/ My true account, lest he returning chide” to serve God and present his good works as merit. Yet he realizes that it is because of faith, that we do not have to worry about being good enough. Rather, it is Christ’s works alone that determine our worth (Milton, When I Consider How my Light is Spent, 1673). 

            Gary Soto also discusses the theme of labor, but in a more physical and hands-on way. Soto, through the use of symbolic language, describes a scene heavy with intense manual labor. He tells a story of a man who is willing to work hard and get dirty, so that his family (specifically his son) may have a good life. 

            Finally, Kolvenbach talks about the Jesuit faith and their prioritization of service above self. He talks about the importance of service as a means for evangelism. “‘The service of faith’ cannot mean anything other than to bring the counter-cultural gift of Christ to our world” (Kolvenbach, The Service of Higher Faith and the Promotion of Justice in the American Jesuit Higher Education, 2000). All three readings emphasize service as a means for personal and societal thriving. In American culture, work is often only about the pay-check; however, in these three readings, all of the authors show the inherent value of service, especially serving others. 

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