Celebrating our third anniversary of ministry together at Holy Trinity Church and La Capilla

Thanks to everyone who made Sunday's celebration of Bolivian culture such a success. What a pleasure to experience Bolivian music and dances while enjoying a traditional feast. Such generosity of spirit!
One of the most moving moments for me was after the Morenada (an Afro-Bolivian dance) when the entire company knelt in prayer before the Virgen de Urkupiña.
Our diversity and hospitality in Christ's name enriches our worship, our mission and our lives.
...

For more information: http://www.notesonslowtravel.com/famous-traditional-dances…/



 

"¿Cómo puede éste darnos a comer su propia carne?"

En el nombre de la X Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.

Seamos honestos. Hay algunas partes de la Biblia que son difíciles de oír. Cuando Jesús dijo a sus seguidores que si no comen su carne y beben su sangre no tienen vida en sí mismos quedaron confusos. Los judíos discutieron entre sí, diciendo: "¿Cómo puede éste darnos a comer su propia carne?" Hasta este momento Jesús se estaba comparando a sí mismo con el Pan del Cielo, pero ahora incluía su sangre como ser necesario para la vida. Este fue problemático a su audiencia judía. El consumo de su sangre se considera un pecado de Israel. ¿Qué estaba Jesús tratando de decir?

Los eruditos bíblicos se apresuran a señalar que cuando Jesús habla acerca de dar su carne para la vida del mundo que está apuntando a su muerte en la cruz. El comer su carne y beber su sangre es impensable si no se entiende a la luz de su sangrienta crucifixión. A través de su cuerpo y la sangre se forja un nuevo pacto y a través de ella nos encontramos con nuestra salvación.

Todo esto es cierto, pero tal vez Jesús dijo lo que dijo porque tenía la intención de ser literal e indignante, contundente y metafórico. Estas palabras fuertes hacen claramente referencia a la Cena del Señor, nuestra comida sacramental, donde, según el Libro de Oración Común, se hace presente el sacrificio de Cristo.

En él estamos unidos con Cristo. Nos convertimos en uno con Dios y entre sí. Un lazo místico se forma... una conexión intemporal y hereditaria. Nos alimentamos y el empuje hacia el mundo para difundir el Reino de Dios. Alexander Schmemann, en su libro Para la Vida del Mundo: Sacramentos y la Ortodoxia, escribió que "La liturgia de la Eucaristía se entiende mejor como un viaje o una procesión. Es el camino de la Iglesia en la dimensión del Reino".

Hace solo tres años esta capilla fue re dedicada en oración solemne y con la  esperanza que se convertiría en un lugar de acogida y refugio. Dedicada a Dios en nombre de su amada madre, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dando la bienvenida a todas las personas de cerca y de lejos para unirse a la procesión. Viajamos al corazón de Dios. Tenemos el placer de servir a nuestro Señor donde quiera que lo encontremos. Muchas veces lo encuentran en el extranjero, en los pobres y desamparados, en los enfermos y dolientes, en los marginados y temerosos. Nuestro viaje nos ha llevado a través de las Estaciones de la Cruz en la Ciudad, hemos apoyado a los hombres y mujeres que nos sirven como oficiales de policía y los equipos de rescate durante la Fiesta de San Miguel y Todos los Ángeles, y hemos caminado con María y José durante Los Posadas, y se enteró de lo que significa ser desplazadas y sin hogar. Pronto la procesión nos llevará a Covina Park, donde tenemos la intención de hacer lo que podamos para ayudar a alimentar a los hambrientos.

Por qué hacemos esto? Porque una vez que haya festejado en el cuerpo y sangre de Cristo, una vez que permanecéis en Cristo, nos permite estar rotos; él nos concede el privilegio de dejar su vida y amar y fluir a través de nosotros. Hemos aprendido a decir humildemente junto con Cristo: "Yo soy el Pan de vida. El que viene a mí no tendrá hambre. El que cree en mí no tendrá sed." Si usted está buscando un hogar espiritual, en la necesidad de alimento que lleva a la vida, y están dispuestos a caminar con nosotros un tiempo, son muy bienvenidos aquí.  Amén.

“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Year B 2015 

 

In the name of the X Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let’s be honest. There are some parts of the Bible that are difficult to hear. When Jesus told his followers that unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood they have no life in themselves they were confused. The Jews argued among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Up to this point Jesus was comparing himself to the Bread from Heaven, but now he included his blood as necessary for life. This was troublesome to his Jewish audience. The consumption of blood was considered a sin to Israel. What was Jesus trying to say?

Biblical scholars are quick to point out that when Jesus speaks about giving his flesh for the life of the world he is pointing to his death on the cross. The eating of his flesh and the drinking of his blood is unthinkable unless it is understood in light of his bloody passion and crucifixion. Through his body and blood a new covenant is forged and through it we find our salvation.  

This is all true but perhaps Jesus said what he said because he intended to be literal and outrageous, blunt and metaphorical. These strong words clearly make reference to the Lord’s Supper, our sacramental meal, where, according to the Book of Common Prayer, the sacrifice of Christ is made present.

In it we are united with Christ. We become one with God and one with one another. A mystical bond is formed… a timeless connection and heritage. We are nourished and thrust out into the world to spread the Kingdom of God. Alexander Schmemann, in his book For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy, wrote that “The liturgy of the Eucharist is best understood as a journey or procession. It is the journey of the Church into the dimension of the Kingdom.” 

Three short years ago this chapel was rededicated in solemn prayer and hope that it would become a place of welcome and refuge. Dedicated to God and named for his beloved mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, we welcome all people from near and far to join the procession. We journey to the heart of God. We take great pleasure in serving our Lord where ever we find him. Many times we find him in the stranger, in the poor and marginalized, in the sick and suffering, in the outcast and fearful. Our journey has taken us through our now annual Stations of the Cross in the City, we have stood by the men and women who serve us as Police Officers and First Responders during the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, we regularly collect food for our local food bank (A.C.T.I.O.N. Food Pantry) and we have walked with Mary and Joseph during Los Posadas, and learned what it means to be displaced and homeless. Soon the procession will lead us to Covina Park where we plan to do what we can to help feed the hungry.

 Why do we do this? Because once you have feasted on the body and blood of Christ, once you abide in Christ, he allows us to be broken; he grants us the privilege of letting his life and love pour through our own. We have learned to humbly say along with Christ, “I am the Bread of life, you who come to me shall not hunger; and who believe in me shall not thirst.” If you are looking for a spiritual home, in need of nourishment that leads to life, and are willing to walk with us a while, you are most welcome. Amen.

New Dreams

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent                                        22 December 2013

 

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

            Some people dream of becoming an actor, a fireman, an astronaut, or president.  I dreamed about becoming a singer. My Dad told me I sang too loud. I felt like the ugly duckling. My voice did not fit the songs everyone sang around the piano. Popular songs required a voice that is mostly flat and without vibrato.  I sang in choir, school musicals, I worked at a theater during the Summer months and once sang in a professional production of Cabaret. Nonetheless, I did not feel comfortable with my voice and I could not afford a voice teacher. It was not until college that I found my way. I was taking music classes at Santa Monica City College at night and working during the day. One night as I walked down the hall towards my music theory class I saw an advertisement for a Music Scholarship in the Arts. From that moment on I could think of nothing else but winning that scholarship. I thought I might have a better chance of winning the scholarship if the music faculty knew me. So I signed up for classes in Piano, Voice, Music History, and Composition. I worked hard. After a year went by I finally auditioned for the scholarship. Over a hundred gifted students auditioned.

           

It is important to dream. In the Proverbs of Solomon it says that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Prov. 29:18) Athletes are taught to imagine what it feels like to win the race and hear the crowd cheer. To have a dream is to have hope. Your dreams may change. Some may fall away. Yet it is important to live with hope. It is important to work hard towards worthy goals. It is important to develop a vision for life that takes into account the gifts God has given us. We need a plan or a vision in order to keep our hope active and alive.

Joseph came from a long line of dreamers. He dreamed that his family was in danger. If he told anyone in Bethlehem that King Herod wanted to kill his newborn son they would have laughed at him. He left for Egypt before any soldier knocked on the door and saved the lives of his son and his wife. What did it feel like to believe in something that could not be seen or proven?

I believe God plants dreams in our hearts, whispers his will for us when we are receptive, and helps us to achieve his will for us in time. The dreams may not make sense initially. They can take years to mature. The dreams may appear to die only to return unexpectedly. 

 I once dreamed of becoming a priest. This was strange because I was raised Lutheran and Lutherans have pastors not priests. Still I have always taken my dreams seriously even when they do not make sense. In my case the dream of becoming a priest was put on a shelf while I tested out other dreams.

 I won the music scholarship. I was awarded a mentor who became a trusted friend. I learned how to sing. I learned how to perform and how to deal with my nerves before going on stage. Even though I did not continue to pursue a music career the things I learned helped me in unexpected ways. I became a Corporate Trainer. Performing and preparing to perform are similar tasks to teaching. The experience of equipping men and women for success, and the lessons learned in marketing & communications and new technologies as a Corporate Trainer will come in handy in helping our congregation grow. As the Apostle Paul said, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.” (Romans 8:28-39) We are a family.

I pray that God will plant new dreams in our hearts this year and that we will be receptive to God’s voice. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Amen.