Mi Primera Navidad

This was my first Christmas not with my family. It was a bit strange. In fact, there was a lot of things I had to process. Rather than writing, I decided to make a video. Considering I worked really hard on the editing, I highly recommend you take a look when you have a few minutes to spare.

#ReclaimMissionary

Eres La Luz Del Mundo

Every other Thursday Iglesia de San Lucas becomes a little more busy than usual. From 3:00-6:00 pm a bunch of abuelita- like women gather around the table to share in a Merienda. One by one they enter and we greet with kisses to the cheeks. “Como te va?”

“Todo bien?”

“Hermosa!” Greetings take on many forms with varied tones and hand gestures. They march in like ants to honey communioning in one solitary place. They scurry across the church salon in chanclas carry fresh postres and boiling water for tea and coffee. Chatter echoes off the windows. The women sit together facing brightly colored clothed tables talking amongst themselves in small groups like links of chorizo.

Sometimes when they begin to speak rapidly I zone out and imagine some sort of out of character dialogue.
“I saw Enrique entering the house again early this morning.”

“Oh, your neighbor? When is she going to divorce that man?”

“Did you see who came to church this Sunday?”

“I couldn’t believe it either. I don’t know how they still show their faces.”

I imagine some dramatic telenovela scenario is being described to each other to justify the very dramatic clutching of pearls and facial expressions I occasionally notice. In reality, they are simply talking about how precious are their grandchildren and how unbearable the summer days have become. They are too sweet and carefree to say anything malice. They rather enjoy food.

“Que rico!”

“Ay, riquisimo!” Everything is rich. Only some things are supreme rich.

The women’s group is self funded as they pass a plate around for contributions after a lovely Merienda. Pesos land on the table as if they were guided by the hand of God Herself. And just like that, after two hours of talk and chew, the women wander back out into sunlight. One by one they kiss and dip. The Salon empties back out.

Then Sunday morning comes and the pews are still empty. Very few are regular attendees. Most spend the rest of their time at home. I have never asked why more do not attend on Sunday morning. I guess that is not really important. If your cup is filled on Thursday, do you necessarily need to be replenished on Sunday? That is something I see clearly in this context. The mission is not on Sundays, rather it is the days in between.

However this Thursday ran a bit differently as we gathered around to close the year with gifts and a light devotional. I was allocated the power to lead. The scripture chosen was 2 Corinthians 4:6.

“For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out the darkness,” who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Light.

I asked for permission to teach a song from back home that was light to me. Light Of The World.

//Eres la luz del mundo//

Así brilla, brilla donde estes

Eres la luz del mundo

//Eres la sal de la tierra//

Así brilla, brilla donde estes

Eres la sal de la tierra

//Eres la vela en la noche//

Así brilla, brilla donde estes

Eres la vela en la noche

We repeated the scripture and I asked the women, who/ what is your light in the world when you feel far from God? During this Advent season we must remember the star in the sky that led the visitors to the manger. The star of the night was a star of guidance in darkness. Without the star, how else would we have been able to find Christ in the manger? What leads you to Christ?

As we went around the table and shared stories of our grandchildren, nieces and nephews, I noticed a few of the women in tears. In no time there were four being openly vulnerable with the group, sharing about their precious light. Present with us was the Holy Spirit. Whether those tears were joy, pain, anguish, or even gas, the concept of light in this world moved people.

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”- 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

While we all agree that our light is family in some form, we must also remember that we are the light for others as well. Sometimes we are the light to strangers. You are a star. Be the star that burns bright for others to see. Be the star that people may see the promise of Christ. Be the star that you need when your world is full of darkness.

Devotions ended in full circle.

We sang Light of the World and ignited each other's candles in song.

Before we left a woman complimented me on the way I preached. This was my first time off script in spanish. I was thankful. And suddenly the room was empty again. Dishes were washed and food had been packed away like no one had even been there. It was like a fantasy pop-up carnival under your blankets and when you popped your head back up, you were merely staring at your room. But this was every other Thursday from 3:00pm- 6:00pm at Iglesia de San Lucas. Special.

#ReclaimMissionary

Things To Leave in 2016: Christianity Edition.

Things to Leave in 2016

• Using Christianity to defend homophobia. At this point we have reevaluated the significance behind Levitical Law and also the importance of procreation and life. If you justify homophobia through biblical text but fail to acknowledge why contraceptives and murder are equally threatening based on the same interpretation used above then there is a problem.
• Using Christianity to excuse misogyny. Even considering the reality of women not being seen as equal to men in many areas of the bible, some of the most significant female images are present. Women were the first evangelists of Christ and the last to be created in the creation story. Time and time again we have been chosen by God. Misogyny is corny.
• Deborah- arguably one of the greatest judges.
• Yael- the woman who killed Sisera, opposing military commander against the Israelites.
• Rahab- supported Joshua's spies investigating the Kingdom of Jericho even when her life was threatened.
• Esther- Queen (and wife of Xerxes) who protected the Jews from genocide. 
• White Jesus. Representation does matter and when we glorify an image and call a foreign figure our Savior, we further the enslaved conditioning of a White Male who will make us safe. If there is one thing we have seen in 2016, it is that White Men have generally been more of a threat to the quality of life of POCs in the U.S. than anyone else. You know it's real when I add a link to my blog. 
• "Christianity is Not African". Honestly, you can look up Thomas Oden. He has two significant books, How Africa Shaped The Christian Mind, and Mark the African. The gospel of Mark was written by an African man, something we fail to discuss. Also the women are Rahab, Tamar, and Bathsheba. Kelly Brown Douglass also makes a very clear argument for Mary', mother of Jesus', blackness as well in The Black Christ.  
• Pastors that do not use their prophetic voice. If we are to remain silent in the face of oppression, we are giving power to the oppressor. In 2017 we believe in, see something say something.
• Pastors dont seek new information. Just because you are out of seminary does not validate being lazy. We cannot afford to be stagnant in teaching the Good News to communities that are continuously challenging each other.
• Using Christianity to shame women. Women do not belong to you. Women have agency over their own bodies. It should not be up to the pastor or the congregation to determine whether or not a woman should be able to worship with you due to their paternity status or how they dress. Virginity is a social construct and respectability politics in the church are corny. Respectability politics haven't stopped the Deacon from hitting on the Vicar now has it. 
• Prosperity Gospel. This just gotta go.

#ReclaimMissionary

Sermon: Arriba La Montaña (Followed by All Saints Day Liturgy)

(English subtitles are not available. Below is the english translation of the sermon followed by the All Saints Day Liturgy.)

Good morning church! The gospel today comes from the book of Matthew. This book was truly written for the people of Israel, the Jews. It begins with the lineage of Jesus, like some of the early books in the bible, as a way to prove his authenticity. He is then born into poverty, is welcomed into the world by the lower class shepherds, and is immediately forced to seek refuge in Egypt. He spent the first two years of his life as a refugee in the same nation that once oppressed his ancestors. We learn that Jesus is later baptized by his mentor, John the Baptist, a zealot, or a patriot of Israel. He is taught both scripture and resistance to empire. God then leads our Jesus into the wilderness where he comes face to face with the devil. For forty days he is resistant to temptation and submissive to God. Finally, Jesus returns to Galilee and begins his ministry. What we do not realize is that Galilee is not some beautiful region on the hill tops. Rather, this is one of the poor and rural areas of Israel. People from this area were called “Ammi ha- aretz” in Hebrew, or “people of the land”. It was the equivalent to being called a nigger in english or negro in spanish. Jesus returned home to serve those in the margins of society. As we better understand the context of Matthew, we learn that Jesus is a poor country man part of a resistance against a police state, serving people who have been abused by those in power. He has seen so much sickness, suffering, and oppression all across the land. And rather than shutting out the hopeless, he welcomes them.

As we walk through the chapters of Matthew I wonder what Jesus would say about this beautiful nation. If Jesus was an Argentine, he would be pueblo originario and speak with a Guarani accent. His home would be Chaco but Mary would have taken him to Paraguay for refuge. Ironically, Paraguay would be the country of both his ancestors as well. If Jesus was Argentine he would have made it to adulthood during the time of the dictatorship, and his mentor would later to be one of the 30,000 people that disappeared. Jesus would start his ministry back in Chaco and travel all over the northern and western part of the country, sleeping in the homes of the poor and disenfranchised. People would call him “un chorro negro.” If Jesus was an Argentine he would be preaching and teachings at the street tables were immigrant vendors try to make a living. He would be praying with Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, sending tweets  hashtagged #NiUnaMenos. Regardless of his origin, his message would never change. There is still oppression. There is still suffering and ailment. There are still people wondering where their next meal will come from. Still, even with all the violence that we fear, Jesus would still accept every single one.

It is no wonder then as the crowd grows and grows with more of the poor that he walks up to the mountain top. Behind him trails his disciples and they all sit together. At this distance one can probably see how significant is the crowd. This is not the work for one person. It cannot only be Jesus healing and helping. So he teaches his disciples through the words of the beatitudes. Imagine being a disciple of Christ. You have just been called to leave all of your worldly possessions, your job and your family, to travel the country with a homeless preacher. For most of your life you have just lived in the realms of your own community. Then you find yourself on top of a mountain surrounded by hundreds of people looking for mercy- compassion- empathy- hope. You do not know any of these people; not their backgrounds, their criminal records, their health, their social status, nothing. The only thing you can assume that they are all here for the same reason and that is Jesus. 1 John 3:3, “And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

There are two sides to this coin. As we are being called not only to serve not only the oppressed but also the oppressors. The kingdom of heaven is open for all of those in their white robes waiting at the feet of Jesus. It is a hard pill to swallow sometimes. When Jesus says no sin is greater than the next, this may be someone who stole to feed their child and someone who killed another because of bigotry. Yet from the Mountain top, you cannot really see the individual now can you? From the Mountain top, all there is is a group of people below you waiting and seeking. So when Jesus delivers the beatitudes he intentionally brings us away from the crowd and reminds us the disciples who is in fact blessed. Each line is a lesson. Makarios, the greek word for blessed, means “of humans 'privileged recipient of divine favor.” He teaches us affirmation and promise by acknowledging these human experiences of being meek, peacemaking, mourning, and poor in spirit as privileged to receive divine favor. Every single one of us is suffering, it is just a matter of how.

In regards to El Dios de Todos los Santos, it is a celebration for ALL Saints. This means all who seek Christ are to be honored. In many traditions, we have used this day to concentrate primarily on friends and family. Some of us did not get the chance to say good bye while others memorialize the dead. We share these stories of our loved ones, of how much they mean to us and how influential they have been. We share about their kindness and love for others. It is easy to memorialize those who we love. It is so much easier to find the goodness in those who matter to us. I wonder if we have the courage to also pay our respects to our enemies? Do we have the ability to honor all Saints on all Saints day? Can we climb up this mountain top together and stop compartmentalizing people?
For those of us who live in the margins, we are asked to do this every day. And every day we climb the mountains of justice and look at all of those who perpetuate the cycles of hate. When Lucia Perez was found raped and murdered, women and allies went into the streets and marched. They did not seek vengeance on the criminals. They did not take their hate out on others who were also guilty of such crimes. This summer public workers in La Plata were protesting after Macri hit over 10,000 contracts. These same protesters were met with Police brutality, rubber bullets and tear gas. These public workers did not strike back. They honored the oppressive forces surrounding them and continued to protest peacefully. We live life around those who take advantage of us in one way or another. Though we allow that in our real lives, how do we transfer that into our prayer lives? Do we pray for the politicians that have forgotten about our community or are we still holding grudges? Because the reality is that regardless of who has done us wrong, we are all in need of Christ.

Christ is Lord because it is only Christ who can successfully love the enemy that wrongfully incarcerated him. Only Christ can still offer salvation to the soldiers who placed him on the cross to hang. Christ and only Christ is our Savior because right now, in this moment,  I know that no one in this room can faithfully honor all of their enemies and offer them empathy the way Christ teaches us. Can we forgive a government that forces women to bear children they cannot care for? Can we offer grace to the parents that left us as children or abused us until we were able to run away? I do not know about you but if I am going to be honest, I struggle with that. There are still scars here that only I can feel. But Jesus though, you see he has lived how we have lived. He has had friends betray him, others deny him. He has had people lie on his name and criticize his ministry. With all of the misery he has been given, he is still sees the people for the good that is inside of them.
Today, I ask us to try our hardest to honor all of the Saints. I ask that we think of our enemies, of strangers, and of loved ones today. Think of the person you saw on the bus struggling to get by or the family on the train trying to sell cards for food. I want you to think of the bully from elementary school that made your life so difficult. As you think of these people, place them together in a group. Walk away from that group, up to the mountain top and sit. Then tell yourself Makarios, blessed are they. Every single one of them. Amen.

___________________

Día de Los Santos

Domingo 6 de Noviembre 2016        Iglesia de San Lucas

Para el culto de hoy, estaremos reconociendo una tradición conocida como Día de los Santos. Esto no es sólo una práctica luterana sino una tradición celebrada en otras culturas como El Día de Los Muertos en México. Es un reconocimiento de nuestros antepasados y de aquellos que han pasado antes que nosotros. Al reunirnos para celebrar la vida de nuestros seres queridos, también estamos celebrando la vida eterna que nos es prometida a través de nuestra fe en Jesucristo. Es un recordatorio de que aunque todos morimos, todos nacemos de nuevo.

Confesión

P- En el nombre del Padre, y del + Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.

C- Amen.

P- Todopoderoso Dios: tú penetras los corazones, conoces los deseos y ves los secretos más íntimos. Purifica los pensamientos de nuestros corazones por la inspiración de tu Espíritu Santo para que te amemos como mereces y dignamente glorifiquemos tu santo nombre; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor.

C- Amen.

P- Misericordioso Dios, Somos muerte en el pecado.

C- Te confesamos que somos esclavos del pecado y que no podemos librarnos por nosotros mismos.

P- Estamos enterrados en la Tierra.

C- Hemos pecado contra ti en pensamiento, palabra y obra, en lo que hemos hecho y en lo que hemos dejado de hacer.

P- Somos huesos secos.

C- No te hemos amado con todo nuestro corazón; no hemos amado a nuestro prójimo como nosotros mismos.

P- Haznos vivir otra vez en Cristo

C- Por amor de tu Hijo Jesucristo, ten piedad de nosotros.

P- Levanta nuestras almas de la tumba.

C- Perdónanos, renuévanos y condúcenos, a fin de que podamos alegrarnos en tu voluntad y caminar por tus sendas, para la gloria de tu santo nombre.

P- Nuestros espíritus buscan tu gracia.

C- Amén.

P- Dios Todopoderoso, nuestro Padre Celestial, ha tenido misericordia de nosotros y nos ha dado a su único hijo para morir por nosotros, y por sus méritos, nos perdona todos nuestros pecados. A los que creen en Él los hace hijos e hijas de Dios y les concede su Espíritu Santo. El que creyere y fuere bautizado será salvo. Concédenos esto, ¡Oh, Señor! A todos nosotros.

C- Amén.

Canción 428 Mi alma glorifica al Señor

Estribillo Mi alma glorifica al Señor, mi Dios, Gozase mi espíritu en mi Salvador. Él es mi alegría, es mi plenitud, Él es todo para mí.         Ha mirado la bajeza de su esclava, muy dichosa me dirán todos los pueblos porque en mí ha hecho grandes maravillas El que todo puede, cuyo Nombre es Santo. Su clemencia se derrama por los siglos sobre aquellos que le temen y le aman, desplegó el gran poder de su derecha, Dispersó a los que piensan que son algo. Derribó a los potentados de sus tronos, elevó a los humildes y a los pobres, los hambrientos se saciaron con sus bienes y alejó de sí, vacíos a los ricos. Acogió a Israel, su humilde siervo acordándose de su misericordia, como había prometido a nuestros padres, a Abraham y descendencia para siempre. Saludo Apostólico P- La gracia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el amor de Dios, y la comunión de Espíritu Santo sean con ustedes. C- Y con tu espíritu. Canción. . . Señor Ten Piedad. . . 96 Gloria a Dios

Oración de la semana

P- El Señor sea con ustedes

C- Y también contigo

P- Oremos al Señor. . . . .

Madre de toda creación, inspiraste vida a la tierra y dijiste que era buena. En el sexto día creaste la humanidad para ser los cuidadores de tu tierra. Nos confiaste a amar como nos amas. Dios de todo lo bueno, sigue confiando en nosotros. Todavía no hemos podido salvar y proteger a sus hijos. Hemos fallado en mantener tu tierra. Ten piedad de nuestras almas. Perdónanos querido Señor. Haznos el vaso de tu gloria. Amén.

Lecturas                                                                                           Revelación 7:9-17

Salmo 34:1-10, 22

Bendeciré al Señor en todo tiempo;

Continuamente estará Su alabanza en mi boca.

En el Señor se gloriará mi alma;

Lo oirán los humildes y se regocijarán.

Engrandezcan al Señor conmigo,

Y exaltemos a una Su nombre.

Busqué al Señor, y El me respondió,

Y me libró de todos mis temores.

Los que a El miraron, fueron iluminados;

Sus rostros jamás serán avergonzados.

Este pobre clamó, y el Señor le oyó,

Y lo salvó de todas sus angustias.

El ángel del Señor acampa alrededor de los que Le temen,

Y los rescata.

Prueben y vean que el Señor es bueno.

¡Cuán bienaventurado es el hombre que en Él se refugia!

Teman al Señor, ustedes Sus santos,

Pues nada les falta a aquéllos que Le temen.

Los leoncillos pasan necesidad y tienen hambre,

Pero los que buscan al Señor no carecerán de bien alguno.

El Señor redime el alma de Sus siervos,

Y no será condenado ninguno de los que en Él se refugian.

1 John 3:1-3. . .

Canción. . . 33 Tu Palabra es Luz

Matthew 5:1-12. . .

Meditación de Vicaria Nicolette

Canción 527 Hazme un instrumento de tu paz

Hazme un instrumento de tu paz

Donde haya odio lleve yo tu amor

Donde haya injuria tu perdón señor

Donde haya duda fe en ti

Estribillo

Maestro ayúdame a nunca buscar

El ser consolado sino consolar

Ser entendido sino entender

Ser amado sino yo amar

Hazme un instrumento de tu paz

Que lleve tu esperanza por doquier

Donde haya oscuridad lleve tu luz

Donde haya pena tu gozo señor

Hazme un instrumento de tu paz

Es perdonando que nos das perdón

Es dando a todos como tú nos das

Muriendo es que volvemos a nacer

Credo Apostólico

Creo en Dios Padre todopoderoso, creador del cielo y de la tierra.

Y en Jesucristo, su único Hijo, nuestro Señor. Que fue concebido por obra del Espíritu Santo, nació de la Virgen María; padeció bajo el poder de Poncio Pilato, fue crucificado, muerto y sepultado; descendió a los infiernos; al tercer día resucito de entre los muertos; subió a los cielos, y está sentado a la diestra de Dios Padre todopoderoso; y desde allí ha de venir a juzgar a los vivos y a los muertos.

Creo en el Espíritu Santo, la santo iglesia católica, la comunión de los santos, el perdón de los pecados, la resurrección de la carne y la vida perdurable. Amen.

Saludo de la paz.

P- La paz del Señor es con ustedes.

C- Y con tu Espíritu.

Oración general de la Iglesia

Hoy ofreceremos nuestras oraciones al Señor en tres formas diferentes. Hay tres estaciones de oración disponibles que usted puede usar a su discreción. La pared posterior localizada alrededor de la cruz allí es biromes, cinta y papel disponible. Se nos anima a publicar los pecados de nuestra cultura, una bienaventuranza personal o una petición de oración. En la parte delantera derecha del altar, hay una estación de la iluminación de la vela establecida para los que quisieran encender una vela en memoria de un ser querido. La estación final está en la fuente bautismal donde yo o  _________ oraremos alegremente con cada persona. Entonces volveremos juntos y elevaremos nuestras oraciones a Dios.

Canción 444 Heme Aquí, Jesús bendito

Heme aquí Jesús bendito

Agobiado vengo a ti

Y en mis males necesito

Que te apiades tú de mí

Yo no puedo con la carga

Que me oprime sin cesar

Es mi vida tan amarga,

Tan intenso mi pesar

Por auxilio clame en vano

Aunque lo busque doquier

Ni el amigo en hermano

Me han podido socorrer

Pero tu Jesús me invitas

Con cordial solicitud

Simpatiza en mis cuitas

Y me ofreces la salud

Oh tu Gracia es tan Grande

Me conmueve el corazón

Eres Santo Eres digno

Y ofreces el perdón

Y jamás, he recurrido

Si buen éxito tu amor

Por descanso éxito al afligido

//Por perdón al pecador//

Oremos. . .

"Bienaventurados aquellos cuyas voces elegimos ignorar, cuyas voces no cuentan, que no pueden gritar lo suficientemente alto para llamar la atención de nadie, excepto la de Dios, porque sus palabras se repetirán por generaciones.

"Bienaventurados sean las madres que lloran por sus hijos desaparecidos, sus hijas violadas y por el futuro de sus hijos, porque ellos serán consolados por la justicia.

"Bienaventurados los refugiados del pueblo de Dios, porque ellos heredarán la tierra.

"Bienaventurados los pobres que tienen hambre de pan de justicia, porque serán llenos del pan de vida.

"Bienaventurados los pueblos indígenas que protegen TODAS las creaciones de Dios, porque ellos serán glorificados en el reino de los cielos.

"Bienaventuradas son las muchachas y mujeres que sobreviven a los pensamientos, y acciones peligrosas de muchachos y hombres las que sufren a causa de los hombres buenos que no hacen nada para detenerlos y protegerlas, porque ellos las verán a Dios.

"Bienaventurados los manifestantes pacíficos, porque serán llamados hijos de Dios.

"Bienaventurados los que exigen rendir cuentas por causa de la justicia, porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos.

"Bienaventurados sean ustedes, habladores de la verdad que son silenciados, perseguidos, y quienes profetizaron toda clase de mal contra vosotros falsamente en el nombre de Jesús. Regocíjense y alégrense, porque su recompensa es grande en el cielo, porque de la misma manera persiguieron a los profetas que fueron antes de ustedes.

Señor Dios, eres tú quien conoce nuestros corazones. Escúchanos mientras te elevamos estas peticiones. Protector, mantén nuestras familias, amigos, seres queridos, vecinos y extraños en tu corazón. Te elevamos nuestras voces, ya que eres tu Señor, todopoderoso, todo sabio y capaz. En tu nombre oramos.

Amén.

Ofrenda y Ofertorio

Ahora, hermanos, los invito por la misericordia de Dios

Que se entreguen ustedes mismos como sacrificio vivo

Y santo que agrada Dios.

Aquí tienen el pan que bajo del cielo

Para que lo coman y ya no mueran

Yo soy el pan vivo bajado del cielo

El que coma de este pan vivirá para siempre

El pan que yo daré es mi carne

Y la daré para la vida del mundo.

Ahora, hermanos, los invito por la misericordia de Dios

Que se entreguen ustedes mismos como sacrificio vivo

Y santo que agrada Dios.

P- Oremos. Dios misericordioso: con alegría y acción de gracias te ofrecemos lo que tú nos has dado: nuestro ser, nuestros días y todo lo que tenemos, símbolos de tu gracia y amor. Acéptalos por amor de aquel que se ofreció a sí mismo por nosotros, Jesucristo nuestro Señor.

C- Amen

Bendición

El Señor te bendiga y te guarde.

El Señor haga resplandecer su rostro sobre ti

Y tenga de ti misericordia.

Vuelva el Señor su rostro a ti,

Y te conceda la paz.

Canción 588 Ven te invito a cantar

// Ven te invito a cantar al Señor Ven te invito a gozarte en

El Ven te invito a cantar al Señor Con toda tu voz, con todo tu ser //

Suenen violines, toquen panderos Batid las manos, alabad a Dios

Hombres y mujeres, niños y ancianos Sanos y afligidos alaben al Señor, ¡Ey!

#ReclaimMissionary