The Faith & Praxis Paper will meet the course objectives listed below. Develop an understanding of the methods and approach of liberation theology, and learn to directly apply these methods in the praxis of concrete theological discernment and ethical responsibility within one’s own life context.Critically and thoughtfully engage and interact with the theological and ethical perspectives that emerge from scripture, tradition, and the praxis of marginated people in the Americas. Develop a clearer understanding of, and personal commitment to, the work of faith, hope, and love expressed through concrete solidarity in the struggle for the common good of all peoples. InstructionsWrite a paper that brings together assigned course readings and research, what you have learned from our local guest speakers and classroom discussion, as well as your reflections about your own personal role and ethical responsibility in the community in which you live. Reflect on the following questions: where do you discern the Spirit of God at work in the struggle of migrant people? How has your experience in this class shaped how you think about the reality and presence of the Spirit of God, the struggle for migrant justice both at the border and at home? Ask yourself the question: what is the call for people of faith who seek the common good of all God’s children? More pointedly, what have you discerned about the call upon your life in relationship to the struggle for justice and liberation?Length: 10-12 pages double-spaced, standard type.Exploratory WritingPlease complete the following exploratory steps by the date indicated on the syllabus. You may continue expanding your exploratory writing as you draft and revise. Hand in final version with the final draft.Review the themes and issues we addressed in our course as well as those that we will address in the future. What themes/issues interest you the most? What historical text(s) challenged you the most at a personal level? What theological text(s) opened up new questions for you related to faith, commitment, God, Jesus, scripture, etc? Whose stories challenged you and affected you? How have you changed in relation to the subject matter of the course and how do you envision your engagement in the community as a result? Make a list, explaining why you are interested in each.Freewrite: Where do the themes/issues raised in our historical texts overlap or connect with the themes/issues raised in our theological texts? Freewrite. How have the stories you have heard in class, both from our guests and other students, shaped the way you understand history, God, faith, and commitment? Where are you in all of this (e.g., your evolving story, commitments, relationships, struggles, hopes, and experiences)?Develop a few critical questions that you would like to explore in this essay. E.g., “What does it mean to speak and to act in a reflective, committed, and responsible way?”; “What does Beatriz Melano Couch mean when she speaks about discerning ‘God’s line of action’ in the world?”; “What does ‘faith’ mean?”; “What does it mean to ‘discern’ the activity of God concretely in the world?”Now, review the historical and theological texts that you think you might use to support the claims that you will make in your paper. Review what you wrote about these texts in the Daily Writing Assignments.List your questions and copy quotes (with page numbers) beneath them that seem to address your questions.Freewrite: how might you begin to answer some of your critical questions? How might you draw on readings, lectures, class discussions, stories to support your answers?