UST THY1 | UNIT 1, Lesson D: The Encounter With Jesus Christ Is A Call To Discipleship

What is Intersubjectivity?

• Intersubjectivity is the human connectivity and mutual relation between individuals.

• It involves sharing experiences and creating common meanings that guide collective actions and beliefs.

• Through open communication and self-revelation to others, individuals gain deeper self-knowledge and realize their selfhood.

Martin Buber’s Philosophical Anthropology

• Humans are essentially relational beings. Our existence is defined not by isolation, reason, or biology, but by encounters with others.

• Human Identity: The “I” comes into being only through relationships (“In the beginning is relation”).

• Religious Dimension: The highest form of relation is with the Eternal Thou (God).

• Ethical Implication: True humanity means living responsibly in I–Thou relations; reducing others to “It” dehumanizes.

[Martin Buber’s Philosophical Anthropology] What are its two modes of relation?

• Two Modes of Relation:

  • I–It: Relating to others or the world as objects to use, study, or categorize.

  • I–Thou: Genuine dialogue and mutual presence, treating the other as a subject, not an object.

What are three (3) major things to remember about Martin Buber’s Philosophical Anthropology?

1. Understanding humans begins from lived experience.

2. Relational self - Humans cannot exist in isolation.

3. Oneself achieves self-fulfillment through others.

[Martin Buber’s Philosophical Anthropology] 1. I-It (Ich-Es) Relationship

• Type: Monological (one-sided)

• Nature: Treats the other as a mere instrument to satisfy needs

• Effect: Reduces the other to an object that is measurable, manipulable, or utilitarian

[Martin Buber’s Philosophical Anthropology] 2. I-Thou (Ich-Du) Relationship

• Type: Dialogical (mutual)

• Nature: Recognizes the other as a full subject, not reducible to I, It, or mere traits

• Effect: Treats the other as a genuine person in communion, fostering authentic connection.

Emmanuel Levinas’ “The Face Of The Other”

• The “face” does not mean just the literal human face (eyes, mouth, skin). Instead, it’s the immediate presence of another person that confronts us.

• The Other (Autrui in French) is any other human being — the person outside myself, who is irreducible to my categories, thoughts, or control.

• The face expresses the Other’s vulnerability, uniqueness, and transcendence. It resists being reduced to an object, an idea, or part of my world.

[Levinisian Responsibility, based on Emmanuel Levinas’ “The Face Of The Other”]

[1] Ethical Call of the Face

• The face of the Other compels us to respond to its needs.

• Seeing the face involves recognizing exposure, vulnerability, and needs, not just physical perception

[Levinisian Responsibility, based on Emmanuel Levinas’ “The Face Of The Other”]

[2] Responsibility Through Substitution

• We are called to be responsible by substituting ourselves for the Other.

• Substitution means bearing the weight of the Other’s experiences and helping address their difficulties.

• This responsibility extends beyond the self; it does not return to “I” once we respond.

[Levinisian Responsibility, based on Emmanuel Levinas’ “The Face Of The Other”]

[3] Non-Reciprocal Ethics

• Responding to the Other is done without expectation of return from the Other or anyone else.

• Reciprocity is not required; responsibility is solely for the Other’s sake.

[Levinisian Responsibility, based on Emmanuel Levinas’ “The Face Of The Other”]

[3] Non-Reciprocal Ethics

____________, in the novel ____________ once said, “We are all responsible for everyone else—but I am more responsible than all the others.”

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, in his novel “The Brothers Karamazov”

[Levinisian Responsibility, based on Emmanuel Levinas’ “The Face Of The Other”]

[3] Non-Reciprocal Ethics

Compare and contrast the ideas of Alteirity and Egocentrism.

• Alterity / Levinas’ emphasis on the Other – The Other comes before myself; their face reveals an infinite demand that calls me to responsibility. True meaning is found not in self-preservation but in serving and caring for the Other, which liberates me from egoism.

• Egocentrism / the natural pull of the self – The self seeks survival, enjoyment, and happiness above all. It makes itself the center of value, reducing the world (and even others) to what is useful or pleasurable for its own existence.

In short: Egocentrism traps us in the self, while Alterity frees us through responsibility to the Other.

[Christian Discipleship: Counter-Cultural and Radical Alterity] Following Christ (Sequela Christi)

• Foundation of Christian morality: Following Christ is essential and primordial.

• Jesus as moral exemplar: His words, deeds, passion, and death reveal love for the Father and others.

• Discipleship involves: Turning to Jesus, listening to His words, and imitating His actions.

[Christian Discipleship: Counter-Cultural and Radical Alterity] Who is a Disciple?

• A lover of Truth: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

• What makes one a disciple: Imitates Jesus and gives primacy to the will of the Father.

• Expectation of a disciple: Lives in loving service of others.

[Christian Discipleship: Counter-Cultural and Radical Alterity] What does discipleship entail in the scriptures?

• “Come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19)

• “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions, come follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)

• “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

[Christian Discipleship: Counter-Cultural and Radical Alterity]

What are Beatitudes?

This concept:

• Demonstrate moral standards of Christ and His call to discipleship.

• Depict Christ’s charity and countenance.

• Express the vocation of the faithful in connection with His Passion and Resurrection.

• Illuminate actions, attitudes, and characteristics of Christian life.

• Paradoxical promises that sustain hope amid tribulations.

• Blessings and rewards already secured for Christ’s disciples.

• Exemplified in the lives of Virgin Mary and the saints.

[Christian Discipleship: Counter-Cultural and Radical Alterity]

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, what is the perfect exemplification of the Beatitudes?

Christ Crucified

• Happiness through Christ:

  • Despise what Jesus despised on the cross: wealth, pleasure, power, honour.

  • Love what Jesus loved: doing the will of the Father.

• Characteristics of Christ on the cross:

  • Single-hearted, hungers for righteousness, ultimate peacemaker, ultimate bearer of God’s mercy.

[Christian Discipleship: Counter-Cultural and Radical Alterity]

What does John 13:34-35 say?

“This is how they will know that you are my disciples: If you have love for one another.”

[The Church: Willed by God to Make Possible the Encounter with Christ] What is the purpose of the church?

• Instituted by Christ to perpetuate His presence on earth.

• Signifies Christ’s redeeming activity in a visible, historical, and tangible form.

[The Church: Willed by God to Make Possible the Encounter with Christ] What are sacraments?

• Sacraments are encounters with God through Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirit

  • Primordial Sacrament

  • Fundamental Sacraments (7)

[The Church: Willed by God to Make Possible the Encounter with Christ] What are the seven (7) Fundamental Sacraments?

The seven fundamental sacraments of the Catholic Church are:

1. Baptism – the first sacrament of initiation, cleansing from original sin and making one a member of the Church.

2. Confirmation – strengthens the grace of Baptism through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

3. Eucharist – receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

4. Penance (Reconciliation or Confession) – forgiveness of sins through absolution.

5. Anointing of the Sick – spiritual and sometimes physical healing, and strength in suffering.

6. Holy Orders – sacrament through which men are ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops.

7. Matrimony (Marriage) – the union of man and woman as a sign of Christ’s love for the Church.

[The Church: Willed by God to Make Possible the Encounter with Christ] What is the mission entrusted to the Church?

• Make Christ present in every time and situation.

• Promote and preserve faith and moral life within the unity of the Church.

• Faithful preservation includes:

  • Apostolic Succession: Continuation of Apostles’ mission.

  • Living Tradition: Teaching, life, and worship handed down through generations (VS 27).

• Serves all people, including those unaware of explicit Christic foundation.

• Ensures every person may find Christ and walk the path of life with Him (RH 13).

• Interprets signs of the times in light of the Gospel to address human questions (GS 4).

The Eucharist in Discipleship

• Invitation: To discover who Jesus is—He loves fully.

• Transformation in Communion

  • Become like Jesus: Friend of the poor, Comforter of the suffering, Proclaimer of the good news, Obedient to the Father.

• Assisted by the Holy Spirit, the Church contemplates the mystery of the Word Incarnate, shedding light on the mystery of man (GS 22).