Giving Meaning to Ordinary Time: Exploring the Sacred Calendars of Judaism and Christianity

In this course we will examine the holy days and holidays of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We will study selected celebrations in terms of their development and practice, and their role in expressing a theology and system of values. We will explore themes such as the human condition and its challenges; forgiveness, repentance, and atonement; salvation; and the tension between historical memory and spiritual reinterpretation. We will pay special attention to contemporary issues around gender, emerging practices, and the portrayal of religious holidays in popular culture.