According to the Lectionary, the Gospel reading was for last Sunday, the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Because I chose to speak on a Father’s Day theme last week, I’m a week behind.
I don’t need to tell you how the economic recession had shattered the lives and dreams of so many Americans and their families. I get a lot of mail from charities. Many include real life stories of people who are facing the realities of today and how they are managing to face the “Storms of Life.” I want to begin this morning by sharing with you a real life story of a man named Steve.
Steve was living what some people might call the American Dream. He had a great wife and two wonderful children. He lived in a beautiful house on a quiet street, and had a job that most people would love to have. However, upon coming to work one day, Steve found out that his job in management had been eliminated…not downsized, but eliminated. As the bills grew higher and higher so did the tension between Steve and his family. The things that Steve and his family were going through could be summed up in four words, and they are the “Storms of Life.”
Have you experienced storms in your life?...those times where things just didn’t make any sense…times where your problems seemed so big and your faith seemed so small…times where you felt so swamped and so afraid that you were going to be taken over by the storm. I think all of us have had a feeling like that. I know that I have. Jesus’ disciples were no different. How did they deal with the storm? There are some major points that we can apply, between the Spiritual Storms and the disciples’ Physical Storm.
The first point is there will be storms…storms will come, sooner or later, they will come. Do you remember the lyrics of a song of the 40-50s, “Into each life some rain must fall, but too much has fallen in mine…!” Even if everything is going great right now, you must keep your faith in Jesus, because the storms will come. It only takes a second for everything to change, for everything to be flipped upside down. Maybe you lose your job, or a family member is in a serious accident, or as we’ve noted in recent years here in Southern California, home destroyed by wildfires and earthquakes. You can fill in your personal storms because the list goes on and on and on, physical storms, spiritual storms.
For the disciples, it wasn’t a spiritual storm, but rather a physical storm. When they left the docks that evening, everything was fine. However, it only took a split second for everything to go horribly wrong. The winds picked up and the waves crashed over the boat, and the disciples were afraid. When the storms come, they bring out the emotions of fear, anger, frustration, and uncertainty.
If we know the storms will come, we have to ask ourselves the next question, “How do we deal with these storms when they come?” The first thing we need to do is never give up. We need to take the storm that is plaguing our life for what it is, and that it is a test or trial or temptation. We must remember never give up!
The next thing we need to do in dealing with the storms is to keep focused. It’s so easy when times are hard to lose our focus from the things that are really important or the tasks we need to accomplish. And isn’t that how the devil traps and entangles us...by putting other things in our life to break our focus and to make us lose sight of our goal? You can bet your bottom dollar on it! That’s why we need to keep focused.
The third and final thing we need to do in order to deal with the storms in our life is that we must remember! We must remember to have faith in Jesus. With faith in Jesus we can be assured that no matter how bad things get, the storm will not stick around forever. And that leads us to the next major point.
The storms will go. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a storm that stuck around forever. I know that when it rains, infrequently as it does here in Southern California, and it’s wet and miserable outside, it feels like the storm will last forever, but what eventually happens? The Sun comes out, the temperature rises and before we know it, the storm is over. We can always take hope in the fact, that no matter how bad things get, the storm will pass. The same can be said of the blizzards in the Midwest or the hurricanes in the Southeast, the storms will pass.
Jesus’ disciples saw the same tings. They thought the storm may last forever, or at least long enough to put an end to them. But what do we see from the story, the SON, S-O-N, not the SUN, S-U-N, came out and calmed the winds and the waves and the storm that they were so worried about ended.
And isn’t that the way it usually goes? When we realize that we can’t do it on our own, that’s when we ask for help. That’s when we start looking for Jesus. And why do we do that? We do that because we know that Jesus will always be there to calm the winds and the waves of our spiritual lives. He will always be there to strengthen and comfort us.
But one question remains, what do we do with Jesus after the storm is gone? And here is an answer that I think is most important. We must remember to put our faith in Jesus! Now you might be asking yourself, why should I put my faith in Jesus? The storm is already over. Well, the storm may be over, but Jesus is still there! And that leads us to the third major point.
Jesus always remains. Just because Jesus is there in the storms of your life, that doesn’t mean you can’t look for Him in the good times. It doesn’t mean that you should only ask for help and guidance in the bad times. He wants to be there when things are going great also. He wants to share in you joys as well as your sorrows. When I say Jesus always remains, I mean always!
When we look at the disciples in the story, at what time did they go and get Jesus? It was when times were really bad, it was when they had no place else to turn. I think that is something each and everyone of us should think about!
I like a poem called “Footprints in the Sand,” by Mary Stevenson (1936). Let me read it for you.
“One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
“In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one.
“This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“’You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?’
“The Lord replied, ‘The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you’”
A lot of people feel that the greatest phrase in this poem is the concluding phrase. While it is a wonderful phrase, I feel the best part is during the rest of the man’s life where there were two sets of footprints in the sand. The two sets of footprints remind me that we must put our faith in Jesus. For the simple fact that Jesus is always there! For the simple fact that Jesus’ love is always there! For the simple fact that His peace and patience and kindness is always there! And most of all for the simple fact that Jesus Always Remains!
Let us revisit our friend Steve. Since we last saw Steve, everything has changed. He has found a new job, and has rediscovered his relationship with Jesus. Steve summed everything up in this way, “When everything was going great, I thought I could do it all on my own. I thought Jesus was there to help in my times of trouble. However, when the storms hit my life, I began to read the Bible and I found out that Jesus always remains. He is there in the good times as well as the bad. And all I had to do is remember to put my faith in Him.”
I think Steve is on the right track. When the storms come we must remember to put our trust in Jesus, because He will help us through tough times. When the storms go we must remember to continue putting our faith in Jesus, because He will help us put our lives back together, strengthening and encouraging us along the way. And finally we must remember to keep our faith in Jesus, because Jesus Always Remains! So, let Him remain in your life always, through good times and bad.
Amen.
June 24, 2009
June 17, 2009 + “Joseph: Jesus Step-Father” (Matthew 1:18-25) + Hayward Fong
Next Sunday is Father’s Day. Looking at the makeup of our Wednesday morning attendance, I don’t think a traditional Father’s Day message is appropriate. Yet at the same time, there should be something that I can say that would be equally applicable for male and female. So, let me try.
One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was just about to turn out the light when he asked in a trembling voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?” His mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. “I can’t, Dear,” she said, “I have to sleep with your daddy.” After a long silence he said, “The big sissy.”
There are certain sayings we associate with our fathers. Here are some typical quotes attributed to current vintage American Dads.:
“Ask your mother.”
“Don’t worry; it’s only blood.”
“Do I look like I’m made of money?”
“I’m not sleeping; I was watching that show.”
“I’m not just talking to hear my voice.”
“A little dirt never hurt anyone; just wipe it off.
“We’re not lost.”
“No, we’re not there yet.”
“Don’t make me stop this car.”
There are numerous quotes of different fathers in the Bible, but try as I might, I wasn’t able to locate a single quote from a prominent father, Joseph. I never thought about this before, but Joseph doesn’t say a single word in the Gospels. He listens and obeys. Once would think his words are recorded. We can only imagine the conversations he might have had with Mary and the angel Gabriel. We can hear him talking with the innkeeper. We can visualize him teaching Jesus about carpentry, but then he fades from the scene. It is widely thought that Joseph was much older than Mary, and when Jesus began his ministry, Mary appears alone. And, although the Bible doesn’t say she’s a widow, we can figure Joseph has since died.
Joseph probably thought his life was pretty well planned. His marriage and vocation were all arranged neatly for him, but then his world came crashing down. He discovered that his bride-to-be was pregnant. We know that Joseph was a man of integrity – he wanted to do the right thing, in the right way. He considered divorcing Mary when he learned of her pregnancy, but wanted to do so without calling attention to the reason, whereas he could have had her publicly disgraced or even stoned to death for adultery. Instead he risks being questioned about Mary’s pregnancy and marries her. As you may recall from earlier homilies, a marriage contract in those days was worked out between families and the engaged couple continued to live with their parents until their wedding. The townspeople could well have thought Mary and Joseph didn’t wait till their wedding. Joseph protected their reputation by moving up the wedding date and the Roman census took them far away from the town’s questioning eyes. This serves for all time as an example of godly wisdom and tender consideration for others.
Although Joseph came from the royal lineage of King David (thanks to the Gospel genealogy), we can easily picture him as a humble man. The brief portrait of him in Scripture suggests he was a quiet, unobtrusive man, available when needed, willing to endure hardship and disappointment. Looking forward to fathering his own child, Joseph was faced with being a step-father to a child not his own. He accepted the humbling circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. He trusted the providential care of God every step of the way. He didn’t have Dr. Spock’s book on parenting, any training on how to be the father to the Son of God, but he possessed faith and compassion. Bible scholars portray Joseph as an effective provider and protector of the family.
A Sunday school class was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One boy wanted so very much to be Joseph, but when the parts were handed out, a boy he didn’t like was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was pretty upset but he didn’t say anything to the director.
During all the rehearsals he thought what he might do the night of the performance to get even with this rival who got to be Joseph. Finally, the night of the performance, Mary and Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the door of the inn, and the in-keeper opened the door and asked them gruffly, “What do you want?”
Joseph answered, “We’d like to have a room for the night.” Suddenly the inn-keeper threw the door open wide and said, Great, come on in and I’ll give you the best room in the house.”
For a few seconds poor little Joseph didn’t know what to do. Thinking quickly on his feet, he looked inside the door past the inn-keeper then said, “No wife of mine is going to stay in a dump like this. Come on Mary, let’s go to the barn.” And once again the play was back on track.
In all the Christmas pageants performed, Joseph doesn’t get a starring role, but his role is so important. His task is to watch over Mary and the baby Jesus. Joseph had the important role of caring for the needs of others.
When our lives take a nasty turn, we cry out, like Joseph must have cried out, “God how can this be?” But like Joseph, we hear a still small voice from God saying, “Trust me.” God’s ways are not always our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and we may never understand everything that God is doing this side of heaven, but God says, “Trust me, and all things will work together for good.”
It’s been said the best thing a father can do for his kids is to love their mother. Joseph’s love for Mary is reflected in Paul’s definition: “Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not proud or rude. Love is not self-seeking or easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but it rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres (I Cor. 13). Instead of being indignant, Joseph accepted this child as his own. Joseph accepted the revealed will of God. He followed the instructions – journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then to Egypt, then back to Nazareth. We can easily picture Joseph receiving his son as a gift from God. The Bible doesn’t tell much about the 30 years that Jesus lived at home, but it’s safe to say that there was a deep and strong affection between Jesus and Joseph.
Joseph became a father to the Messiah, who would teach us all about the acceptance and grace of God. Joseph is charged with naming their son and thus defining His mission. The name Jesus means “Savior”. Archeologists have uncovered the ruins of Sapphoris, a thriving city near Nazareth. It is believed that Joseph spent much time there working on carpentry jobs, probably with Jesus, his carpenter apprentice son. When Jesus returned to his hometown, the people responded, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph, the carpenter?”
Was Joseph a perfect father? I don’t think so. We’re told that after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had children of their own, and they did not become believers in Jesus till after His resurrection. In spite of what their parents tried to tell them of their older brother’s miraculous birth, they refused to accept it. Parents can teach their children, but they cannot give their children faith. They can tell their kids how to live, but they can’t make them moral persons. They can baptize their children, but they cannot make them believe. They can love their children, but they can’t give them eternal life. The influence of parents is important, but we individually choose to accept or reject faith in God.
There’s a lot I’d like to know about Joseph – where and when he was born, how he spent his days, what he said, when and how he died. The last we hear of him is when he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Mary and Jesus, when Jesus was 12 years old. He was apparently a man of few words, for even in this episode, it is Mary who is quoted, but he did what he was suppose to do. We don’t know much about Joseph. We’re pretty sure he wasn’t a sissy - afraid of thunderstorms! Scripture has left us with the most important knowledge: who he was: “a righteous man” (Mt 1:18). Joseph may have thought that being righteous involved doing the right thing; he found out that it is also about being the right person.
Prayer: Lord God, when we observe the action of this mature, responsible man; when we study the compassionate involvement, his disciplined restraint, his plain obedience, all woven together into righteous action, we know that we too can live in accordance with your will for our lives. Amen.
One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm, a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was just about to turn out the light when he asked in a trembling voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?” His mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. “I can’t, Dear,” she said, “I have to sleep with your daddy.” After a long silence he said, “The big sissy.”
There are certain sayings we associate with our fathers. Here are some typical quotes attributed to current vintage American Dads.:
“Ask your mother.”
“Don’t worry; it’s only blood.”
“Do I look like I’m made of money?”
“I’m not sleeping; I was watching that show.”
“I’m not just talking to hear my voice.”
“A little dirt never hurt anyone; just wipe it off.
“We’re not lost.”
“No, we’re not there yet.”
“Don’t make me stop this car.”
There are numerous quotes of different fathers in the Bible, but try as I might, I wasn’t able to locate a single quote from a prominent father, Joseph. I never thought about this before, but Joseph doesn’t say a single word in the Gospels. He listens and obeys. Once would think his words are recorded. We can only imagine the conversations he might have had with Mary and the angel Gabriel. We can hear him talking with the innkeeper. We can visualize him teaching Jesus about carpentry, but then he fades from the scene. It is widely thought that Joseph was much older than Mary, and when Jesus began his ministry, Mary appears alone. And, although the Bible doesn’t say she’s a widow, we can figure Joseph has since died.
Joseph probably thought his life was pretty well planned. His marriage and vocation were all arranged neatly for him, but then his world came crashing down. He discovered that his bride-to-be was pregnant. We know that Joseph was a man of integrity – he wanted to do the right thing, in the right way. He considered divorcing Mary when he learned of her pregnancy, but wanted to do so without calling attention to the reason, whereas he could have had her publicly disgraced or even stoned to death for adultery. Instead he risks being questioned about Mary’s pregnancy and marries her. As you may recall from earlier homilies, a marriage contract in those days was worked out between families and the engaged couple continued to live with their parents until their wedding. The townspeople could well have thought Mary and Joseph didn’t wait till their wedding. Joseph protected their reputation by moving up the wedding date and the Roman census took them far away from the town’s questioning eyes. This serves for all time as an example of godly wisdom and tender consideration for others.
Although Joseph came from the royal lineage of King David (thanks to the Gospel genealogy), we can easily picture him as a humble man. The brief portrait of him in Scripture suggests he was a quiet, unobtrusive man, available when needed, willing to endure hardship and disappointment. Looking forward to fathering his own child, Joseph was faced with being a step-father to a child not his own. He accepted the humbling circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. He trusted the providential care of God every step of the way. He didn’t have Dr. Spock’s book on parenting, any training on how to be the father to the Son of God, but he possessed faith and compassion. Bible scholars portray Joseph as an effective provider and protector of the family.
A Sunday school class was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One boy wanted so very much to be Joseph, but when the parts were handed out, a boy he didn’t like was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was pretty upset but he didn’t say anything to the director.
During all the rehearsals he thought what he might do the night of the performance to get even with this rival who got to be Joseph. Finally, the night of the performance, Mary and Joseph came walking across the stage. They knocked on the door of the inn, and the in-keeper opened the door and asked them gruffly, “What do you want?”
Joseph answered, “We’d like to have a room for the night.” Suddenly the inn-keeper threw the door open wide and said, Great, come on in and I’ll give you the best room in the house.”
For a few seconds poor little Joseph didn’t know what to do. Thinking quickly on his feet, he looked inside the door past the inn-keeper then said, “No wife of mine is going to stay in a dump like this. Come on Mary, let’s go to the barn.” And once again the play was back on track.
In all the Christmas pageants performed, Joseph doesn’t get a starring role, but his role is so important. His task is to watch over Mary and the baby Jesus. Joseph had the important role of caring for the needs of others.
When our lives take a nasty turn, we cry out, like Joseph must have cried out, “God how can this be?” But like Joseph, we hear a still small voice from God saying, “Trust me.” God’s ways are not always our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and we may never understand everything that God is doing this side of heaven, but God says, “Trust me, and all things will work together for good.”
It’s been said the best thing a father can do for his kids is to love their mother. Joseph’s love for Mary is reflected in Paul’s definition: “Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not proud or rude. Love is not self-seeking or easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but it rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres (I Cor. 13). Instead of being indignant, Joseph accepted this child as his own. Joseph accepted the revealed will of God. He followed the instructions – journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then to Egypt, then back to Nazareth. We can easily picture Joseph receiving his son as a gift from God. The Bible doesn’t tell much about the 30 years that Jesus lived at home, but it’s safe to say that there was a deep and strong affection between Jesus and Joseph.
Joseph became a father to the Messiah, who would teach us all about the acceptance and grace of God. Joseph is charged with naming their son and thus defining His mission. The name Jesus means “Savior”. Archeologists have uncovered the ruins of Sapphoris, a thriving city near Nazareth. It is believed that Joseph spent much time there working on carpentry jobs, probably with Jesus, his carpenter apprentice son. When Jesus returned to his hometown, the people responded, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph, the carpenter?”
Was Joseph a perfect father? I don’t think so. We’re told that after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had children of their own, and they did not become believers in Jesus till after His resurrection. In spite of what their parents tried to tell them of their older brother’s miraculous birth, they refused to accept it. Parents can teach their children, but they cannot give their children faith. They can tell their kids how to live, but they can’t make them moral persons. They can baptize their children, but they cannot make them believe. They can love their children, but they can’t give them eternal life. The influence of parents is important, but we individually choose to accept or reject faith in God.
There’s a lot I’d like to know about Joseph – where and when he was born, how he spent his days, what he said, when and how he died. The last we hear of him is when he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Mary and Jesus, when Jesus was 12 years old. He was apparently a man of few words, for even in this episode, it is Mary who is quoted, but he did what he was suppose to do. We don’t know much about Joseph. We’re pretty sure he wasn’t a sissy - afraid of thunderstorms! Scripture has left us with the most important knowledge: who he was: “a righteous man” (Mt 1:18). Joseph may have thought that being righteous involved doing the right thing; he found out that it is also about being the right person.
Prayer: Lord God, when we observe the action of this mature, responsible man; when we study the compassionate involvement, his disciplined restraint, his plain obedience, all woven together into righteous action, we know that we too can live in accordance with your will for our lives. Amen.
June 15, 2009
June 10, 2009 + “The Price of Freedom and Forgiveness” (Luke 7:36-47) + Hayward Fong
The month of June holds many important dates in my life as an American citizen. June 14, 1775 is the birthday of the United States Army. On the same date two years later was our first Flag Day. On June 12, 1898, (Pista Sai Nayon) the Philippines were freed from the Spanish rule only to endure many more years of foreign rule until she received her independence from the United States. On June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces stormed onto the Normandy beaches to free Europe from the Axis powers. Last Saturday, President Obama in the company of British, Canadian and French leaders stood on the shores of Omaha Beach in Normandy where thousands of servicemen gave their lives on the D-day invasion that led to the eventual liberation of Europe from the Axis powers. Having served my country for 36 years in the United States Army, you can understand why these dates are so meaningful to me.
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood on the battlefield of Gettysburg to dedicate a portion of that land as a national cemetery. The featured speaker of the day was Edward Everett, acclaimed as possibly the greatest classical orator of his time. A former United States senator, Governor of Massachusetts and President of Harvard University, he spoke for more than two hours to an audience of some 25,000 people. His was a masterful address, broad in its scope and dramatic in its presentation.
Next was a musical interlude by the Baltimore Glee Club and then, finally, President Lincoln. Lincoln was formally introduced and the people settled back down in their chairs and on the grass to listen to him. Lincoln spoke simply and clearly and startled the people by the briefness of his remarks.
Now, I realize that most of you are already familiar with what he said, but would you listen again to a portion of it? After his opening sentence, he said:
“We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
“But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
“It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Gettysburg does not stand alone in our memory. I would run out of time were I to detail scenes of carnage and courage in places as Valley Forge, Flanders Field, Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, Pork Chop Hill, the Mekong, and of recent times the operations throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.
But friends, we must realize that if freedom is to be carried on from generation to generation – if our children and grandchildren are to enjoy freedom – then we must be willing to pay the price, because “freedom is never free.” “Freedom is never free.” It sounds like a paradox when you say it, but it is true. “Freedom is never free.”
In the same way, “forgiveness is never free.” That, too, sounds untrue at first. But before forgiveness takes place there is always a price to be paid. Let me call your attention to the Scripture reading of a few minutes ago. This incident and the parable that Jesus shares in it are of particular importance
Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee by the name of Simon. That is something quite unusual because the Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat to their power, their teachings and their legalistic system. They saw Jesus as their enemy, not all of them, of course, but most of them. But this Pharisee invited Jesus to his home. We’re not exactly sure why he invited Him but most commentators believe he invited Jesus because he wanted to upstage Him. And Jesus accepted the invitation.
It was normal, when a guest arrived, to make him feel welcome by going through certain common courtesies.
First of all, his feet would be washed. A guest’s feet would be caked with dirt after walking in sandals on the dusty roads. So a servant would greet him at the door with a basin of water and would wash and dry his feet. After his feet had been cleaned, the host would come and greet him with a kiss to make him feel welcome and let him know that he was an honored guest.
Then it was a matter of courtesy to anoint the head of the guest with some cooling oil. Maybe it because of the hot oriental sun. Maybe some of the men were thin on top and slightly sunburned. Whatever the reason, it was customary to use oil to anoint the head of a guest. All these things went together to say, “You are welcome to our home.” But when Jesus visited the home of this Pharisee, none of these things happened.
Now, as they began eating, an unusual thing happened. This woman – Luke calls her a sinner (the word means “an immoral woman, a prostitute”) came to where they were eating – probably an outdoor courtyard to catch the evening breeze. She fell at Jesus feet and started to weep. Her tears fell on his feet so she dried them with her hair. Then she broke a vial of expensive perfume and anointed his feet and began kissing them.
All the while, Simon the Pharisee was watching. He was greatly offended and embarrassed by what was going on. Because all the things he failed to do as a host she was doing. Simon knew what kind of women she was, so as he judges her, he is also judging Jesus. He is thinking to himself, “If this man is truly a prophet, he would surely know that she is an immoral woman.” Simon saw her as a prostitute but Jesus saw her as a child of God who needed forgiveness.
Then Jesus told this parable about the two men who owed a money lender money. I won’t try to translate how much a denarii is suffice to say that a denarii represented a days wages at that time. So one fellow owed the equivalent of 50 days wages and the other 500 days. Assuming a five day work week, one owes ten weeks and the other 100 weeks or almost two years.
So Jesus says to Simon, “Simon, since neither can repay their debt and the money lender says to these two men, ‘Tell you what, fellows, I’ll stamp your bill paid in full and you won’t owe me anything,’ which one would be the most grateful?” Simon was caught between a rock and a hard spot. He thinks to himself, I may admit that I am a sinner, but not to the same degree as that woman. Jesus is making me out as the fellow who owes the 50 denarii’s and she as the person owing the 500. So he answers, “It would be the one who owes the most who would be most thankful.” Jesus said, “You have answered correctly,” and leaves it there for the time being.
He turns to the women and reminds her that her sins have been forgiven. He tells Simon that those who have been forgiven much love much and those who have been forgiven little love little.
How does this tie into “Freedom” and “Forgiveness” you may ask.
Every one is a spiritual debtor – you and I are in debt to society, to our nation and to God. We are all debtors. You may not thought of it in this way, but face it, all of us are debtors.
Now, an important asset when you are in debt is a good memory. Because if you don’t remember to whom you owe money, you’re going to have all kinds of problems. Simon’s problem was that he had a poor memory.
I suspect when Simon looked at himself he thought, “God, you’re lucky to have me on your team. I’m pretty special. I’ve memorized the law! I pray beautiful prayers! And I do so many significant things for you! I’m a Pharisee and I’ve mastered the art of being a Pharisee. God, I’m a pretty special guy.”
What Simon forgot was that he was a sinner. His sins were sins of the heart and he didn’t recognize them as sins. It was easy for him to forget that he stood in the need of forgiveness.
And isn’t it so easy for us to forget how indebted we are to those who paid the price to achieve freedom for us? Isn’t it easy for us to get in our cars and drive from one place to another without even thinking about the blessings of the freedom we enjoy?
Isn’t it easy for us to come into God’s house and open our Bibles and never give it a second thought. Isn’t it easy for us to forget those pilgrim forefathers who crossed the ocean to this new land? Isn’t it easy to forget the blood that was shed at Valley Forge and at Gettysburg?
We put hamburgers on the grill and sit around enjoying all the material blessings that God has given us and forget the blood that was shed so that the stars and stripes could fly in the breeze and that we could still enjoy the freedom that is ours as citizens of the United States of America.
We owe a great debt to our country and to those who have gone before. We also owe a great debt to our God who has redeemed and forgiven us. We are all debtors. We all owe a debt. We can never repay that debt.
Our nation’s fiscal situation is a good example of what I said. General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, AIG, Bank of America, Citicorp and all the other corporate “money managers” found that they owed more than they were able to pay and the Federal government had to bail them out. Our citizens who learned to live by the credit cards soon found themselves in the same situation. By making minimum payments, they were getting deeper and deeper in debt. The federal government faces the situation by printing more paper money and selling them as “IOUs”. In so doing, the United States faces the same dilemma should all its creditors decide to collect what is owed them all at once. All of these debtors, be it the government, the corporations or John Q. Public, have remained solvent so long as the creditors don’t demand everything at the same time.
When I think of the debt of freedom that I owe to our forefathers, I realize that is also a debt I can’t pay. And when I think of the debt I owe God for the price He has paid for my sins, I realize that I can’t pay that either.
Now getting g back to the story: When she wet Jesus feet with her tears and tried to dry them with her hair, and anointed Him with the oil, it was an expression of gratitude and love. Though you and I may think that was the way to pay God back, she wasn’t paying Him back. She was saying, “Thank you Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins.”
And that’s all you and I can do. We can never pay God back. But we can show our gratitude and love by rolling up our sleeves and go to work. We can worship and we can serve and we can cry a little bit and we can pray a bunch. And we can get out and reach people for Jesus. We can do all that, but we will never be able to pay the debt that we owe our God.
However, forgiveness is available to everyone. Though we can’t pay it, forgiveness is not free. In the instance of the money lender, it cost him 550 dinarii to forgive the debt. A pittance compared to the forgiveness of God, but it is a teaching parable. When God forgives, the forgiveness cost God through the cross. The ledger had to be stamped “Paid in Full” before forgiveness became a reality. Now that it’s been paid, it’s available to all.
Isn’t that also true of our freedom? The price has been paid. It is available to all in this great land. That is why we rejoice at the Declaration of Independence. That is why we rejoice in the Statue of Liberty. Freedom is available to all of us, regardless of where we live in this great nation.
Let me close with a story that I’ve told many times. One day, Abraham Lincoln went to a slave auction and noticed a young Negro girl who was about to be auctioned off. So he began bidding and eventually purchased her. They brought her over to him and he instructed them to take the shackles off her wrists and ankles. The he said to her, “You are free to go.”
She looked at him and said, “You mean that I don’t have to go home with you?” He said, “No, you don’t.” She said, “You mean that I don’t have to do what you say?” “That’s right.” “You mean I don’t have to be your slave, I don’t have to put up with your whims and your fancies?” He said, “No, you don’t. You are free to go.”
She bowed her head and tears started flowing down her cheeks. She looked up at Abraham Lincoln and said, “Then I guess I’ll go with you.”
Freedom is never free. It always costs someone something. Forgiveness is never free. There is always a price that must be paid.
Right now we need to remember the price and to thank God for our freedom and for our forgiveness. And we dedicate ourselves to keep on paying the price so that freedom and forgiveness might be enjoyed for generations to come.
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood on the battlefield of Gettysburg to dedicate a portion of that land as a national cemetery. The featured speaker of the day was Edward Everett, acclaimed as possibly the greatest classical orator of his time. A former United States senator, Governor of Massachusetts and President of Harvard University, he spoke for more than two hours to an audience of some 25,000 people. His was a masterful address, broad in its scope and dramatic in its presentation.
Next was a musical interlude by the Baltimore Glee Club and then, finally, President Lincoln. Lincoln was formally introduced and the people settled back down in their chairs and on the grass to listen to him. Lincoln spoke simply and clearly and startled the people by the briefness of his remarks.
Now, I realize that most of you are already familiar with what he said, but would you listen again to a portion of it? After his opening sentence, he said:
“We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
“But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
“It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Gettysburg does not stand alone in our memory. I would run out of time were I to detail scenes of carnage and courage in places as Valley Forge, Flanders Field, Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, Pork Chop Hill, the Mekong, and of recent times the operations throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.
But friends, we must realize that if freedom is to be carried on from generation to generation – if our children and grandchildren are to enjoy freedom – then we must be willing to pay the price, because “freedom is never free.” “Freedom is never free.” It sounds like a paradox when you say it, but it is true. “Freedom is never free.”
In the same way, “forgiveness is never free.” That, too, sounds untrue at first. But before forgiveness takes place there is always a price to be paid. Let me call your attention to the Scripture reading of a few minutes ago. This incident and the parable that Jesus shares in it are of particular importance
Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee by the name of Simon. That is something quite unusual because the Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat to their power, their teachings and their legalistic system. They saw Jesus as their enemy, not all of them, of course, but most of them. But this Pharisee invited Jesus to his home. We’re not exactly sure why he invited Him but most commentators believe he invited Jesus because he wanted to upstage Him. And Jesus accepted the invitation.
It was normal, when a guest arrived, to make him feel welcome by going through certain common courtesies.
First of all, his feet would be washed. A guest’s feet would be caked with dirt after walking in sandals on the dusty roads. So a servant would greet him at the door with a basin of water and would wash and dry his feet. After his feet had been cleaned, the host would come and greet him with a kiss to make him feel welcome and let him know that he was an honored guest.
Then it was a matter of courtesy to anoint the head of the guest with some cooling oil. Maybe it because of the hot oriental sun. Maybe some of the men were thin on top and slightly sunburned. Whatever the reason, it was customary to use oil to anoint the head of a guest. All these things went together to say, “You are welcome to our home.” But when Jesus visited the home of this Pharisee, none of these things happened.
Now, as they began eating, an unusual thing happened. This woman – Luke calls her a sinner (the word means “an immoral woman, a prostitute”) came to where they were eating – probably an outdoor courtyard to catch the evening breeze. She fell at Jesus feet and started to weep. Her tears fell on his feet so she dried them with her hair. Then she broke a vial of expensive perfume and anointed his feet and began kissing them.
All the while, Simon the Pharisee was watching. He was greatly offended and embarrassed by what was going on. Because all the things he failed to do as a host she was doing. Simon knew what kind of women she was, so as he judges her, he is also judging Jesus. He is thinking to himself, “If this man is truly a prophet, he would surely know that she is an immoral woman.” Simon saw her as a prostitute but Jesus saw her as a child of God who needed forgiveness.
Then Jesus told this parable about the two men who owed a money lender money. I won’t try to translate how much a denarii is suffice to say that a denarii represented a days wages at that time. So one fellow owed the equivalent of 50 days wages and the other 500 days. Assuming a five day work week, one owes ten weeks and the other 100 weeks or almost two years.
So Jesus says to Simon, “Simon, since neither can repay their debt and the money lender says to these two men, ‘Tell you what, fellows, I’ll stamp your bill paid in full and you won’t owe me anything,’ which one would be the most grateful?” Simon was caught between a rock and a hard spot. He thinks to himself, I may admit that I am a sinner, but not to the same degree as that woman. Jesus is making me out as the fellow who owes the 50 denarii’s and she as the person owing the 500. So he answers, “It would be the one who owes the most who would be most thankful.” Jesus said, “You have answered correctly,” and leaves it there for the time being.
He turns to the women and reminds her that her sins have been forgiven. He tells Simon that those who have been forgiven much love much and those who have been forgiven little love little.
How does this tie into “Freedom” and “Forgiveness” you may ask.
Every one is a spiritual debtor – you and I are in debt to society, to our nation and to God. We are all debtors. You may not thought of it in this way, but face it, all of us are debtors.
Now, an important asset when you are in debt is a good memory. Because if you don’t remember to whom you owe money, you’re going to have all kinds of problems. Simon’s problem was that he had a poor memory.
I suspect when Simon looked at himself he thought, “God, you’re lucky to have me on your team. I’m pretty special. I’ve memorized the law! I pray beautiful prayers! And I do so many significant things for you! I’m a Pharisee and I’ve mastered the art of being a Pharisee. God, I’m a pretty special guy.”
What Simon forgot was that he was a sinner. His sins were sins of the heart and he didn’t recognize them as sins. It was easy for him to forget that he stood in the need of forgiveness.
And isn’t it so easy for us to forget how indebted we are to those who paid the price to achieve freedom for us? Isn’t it easy for us to get in our cars and drive from one place to another without even thinking about the blessings of the freedom we enjoy?
Isn’t it easy for us to come into God’s house and open our Bibles and never give it a second thought. Isn’t it easy for us to forget those pilgrim forefathers who crossed the ocean to this new land? Isn’t it easy to forget the blood that was shed at Valley Forge and at Gettysburg?
We put hamburgers on the grill and sit around enjoying all the material blessings that God has given us and forget the blood that was shed so that the stars and stripes could fly in the breeze and that we could still enjoy the freedom that is ours as citizens of the United States of America.
We owe a great debt to our country and to those who have gone before. We also owe a great debt to our God who has redeemed and forgiven us. We are all debtors. We all owe a debt. We can never repay that debt.
Our nation’s fiscal situation is a good example of what I said. General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, AIG, Bank of America, Citicorp and all the other corporate “money managers” found that they owed more than they were able to pay and the Federal government had to bail them out. Our citizens who learned to live by the credit cards soon found themselves in the same situation. By making minimum payments, they were getting deeper and deeper in debt. The federal government faces the situation by printing more paper money and selling them as “IOUs”. In so doing, the United States faces the same dilemma should all its creditors decide to collect what is owed them all at once. All of these debtors, be it the government, the corporations or John Q. Public, have remained solvent so long as the creditors don’t demand everything at the same time.
When I think of the debt of freedom that I owe to our forefathers, I realize that is also a debt I can’t pay. And when I think of the debt I owe God for the price He has paid for my sins, I realize that I can’t pay that either.
Now getting g back to the story: When she wet Jesus feet with her tears and tried to dry them with her hair, and anointed Him with the oil, it was an expression of gratitude and love. Though you and I may think that was the way to pay God back, she wasn’t paying Him back. She was saying, “Thank you Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins.”
And that’s all you and I can do. We can never pay God back. But we can show our gratitude and love by rolling up our sleeves and go to work. We can worship and we can serve and we can cry a little bit and we can pray a bunch. And we can get out and reach people for Jesus. We can do all that, but we will never be able to pay the debt that we owe our God.
However, forgiveness is available to everyone. Though we can’t pay it, forgiveness is not free. In the instance of the money lender, it cost him 550 dinarii to forgive the debt. A pittance compared to the forgiveness of God, but it is a teaching parable. When God forgives, the forgiveness cost God through the cross. The ledger had to be stamped “Paid in Full” before forgiveness became a reality. Now that it’s been paid, it’s available to all.
Isn’t that also true of our freedom? The price has been paid. It is available to all in this great land. That is why we rejoice at the Declaration of Independence. That is why we rejoice in the Statue of Liberty. Freedom is available to all of us, regardless of where we live in this great nation.
Let me close with a story that I’ve told many times. One day, Abraham Lincoln went to a slave auction and noticed a young Negro girl who was about to be auctioned off. So he began bidding and eventually purchased her. They brought her over to him and he instructed them to take the shackles off her wrists and ankles. The he said to her, “You are free to go.”
She looked at him and said, “You mean that I don’t have to go home with you?” He said, “No, you don’t.” She said, “You mean that I don’t have to do what you say?” “That’s right.” “You mean I don’t have to be your slave, I don’t have to put up with your whims and your fancies?” He said, “No, you don’t. You are free to go.”
She bowed her head and tears started flowing down her cheeks. She looked up at Abraham Lincoln and said, “Then I guess I’ll go with you.”
Freedom is never free. It always costs someone something. Forgiveness is never free. There is always a price that must be paid.
Right now we need to remember the price and to thank God for our freedom and for our forgiveness. And we dedicate ourselves to keep on paying the price so that freedom and forgiveness might be enjoyed for generations to come.
June 10, 2009
June 7, 2009 + Unpredictability as Good News (John 3:1-13) + Frank Alton
As we begin the month of June in which so many weddings take place, I am reminded that one of the things I love about performing weddings is the opportunity to meet with couples for pre-marital counseling. I love getting to know them and to see how they relate to one another. For the second meeting I ask the couple to prepare a genealogy of their family. It’s not that I think it is so important to know where they come from. I do it to help all three of us discover insights into what matters to them, how family dynamics have made them who they are, and how that information might help them to see certain features of their lives as gifts rather than curses, and to see other features as behavior patterns they can choose to change.
Recently I met with a couple that told me they had argued a lot about religion and they didn’t like what happened when they did that. They wanted something different to happen, but they didn’t know how. I decided to ask them how they experienced spirituality. In spite of the fact that my question was about spirituality, the initial answers for both came back in terms of religion. She talked about what she believed, which usually comes across as what we know. He spoke about his problems with institutional religion. After I pointed out that they were both responding with mental constructs about religion, I asked them if they knew when their spirits were being nurtured. She began to tell us about the moments in her union organizing when a contract has just been signed and the workers are celebrating. In those moments she has the feeling that she is connecting to something greater than what is actually going on. I said, that is spirituality. He then spoke about why he loves astrophysics. He has told his friends that when he dies he hopes that he gets to travel through the universe to see all of the nebulae up close. He loves working with the mathematical models around astrophysics, because he feels connected to something bigger than himself. I told him, that is spirituality.
I think the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus was similar to that. Nicodemus knew that he was missing something, and he saw in Jesus a possibility for finding it. He, too, started with religion, and was caught off guard when Jesus spoke about spiritual experience. But Jesus took him seriously and pushed him far beyond his comfort zone, because he saw in Nicodemus someone who was willing to risk leaving behind the truth as he knew it to explore something new. It is often said that Nicodemus meets Jesus at night to avoid being seen in this illicit liaison. But could there be an alternate interpretation? The rabbis taught that the Torah was best studied at night when it was quiet and the distractions of the day had subsided. Could Nicodemus be using his precious study time to expand his search beyond the standard texts? Could Jesus himself become the book into which Nicodemus delves, mining every word for wisdom and understanding?
Immediately Jesus ushers this seeker into a realm of wisdom that is more complex, deep and rich than anything Nicodemus has known. Using language that is poetic, metaphorical, suggestive and imaginative, Jesus talks of being born from above. Like most of us, Nicodemus responds in his best left-brain, legal-scholar, word-parsing mode: “we know you are a teacher from God.” He sees tricks, dead-ends and practical impossibilities. It is all he knows how to see. Yet Jesus persists from his right-brain, heart vocabulary, with fertile images of wind, spirit and expansive love. He confronts Nicodemus with the uncomfortable truth that “you do not understand these things.” We don’t know how long Nicodemus dwells in this liminal space between what is familiar to him -- the world where his status is recognized and esteemed and his worldview reliable -- and this new world of life everlasting on the wings of the wind of love. But we do know that the Word-made-flesh becomes Nicodemus’s text, and the living water of the Torah an ever-expanding pool of wisdom. (Patricia Farris) Knowing and not knowing – both are important for being a complete human being. Not knowing is necessary for discovering new knowings. I think that is what Jesus was essentially saying about not knowing where the wind comes from or where it goes. Religion can be an especially opaque kind of knowing that gets in the way of spiritual knowing. The “not knowing” invites us to make his story our story.
I spoke at the beginning of this year about the role of chaos, another word for unpredictability. I quoted Margaret Wheatley who said that in the West “we have resisted chaos. We believed there were straight lines to the top. If we set a goal or claimed a vision, we would get there, never looking back, never forced to descend into confusion or despair. These beliefs led us far from life, far from the processes by which newness is created. And it is only now, as modern life grows ever more turbulent and control slips away, that we are willing again to contemplate chaos. The destruction created by chaos is necessary for the creation of anything new.” (Margaret Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, p 119) In other words, only unpredictability creates the abyss in which we can recreate ourselves. That is the first piece of good news about unpredictability.
Margaret Wheatley goes on to say that life achieves order from clear centers rather than imposed restraints. This is the other side of unpredictability. Another Margaret – Margaret Boden – wrote that, “Unpredictability is not enough. At the heart of creativity lie constraints: the very opposite of unpredictability. Constraints and unpredictability, familiarity and surprise, are somehow combined in original thinking.”
I believe this is why we have the dance between religion and spirituality. Religion is about restraints. The word itself comes from the Latin “ligar”, which means to bind, fasten or tie. Even science has concluded that is not a bad thing in itself. But when a constraint – whether it be religion or a scientific theory – becomes more of an externally “imposed restraint” than a “clear center” around which our lives are oriented, then it ceases to be life giving. One way to discover our clear center is to ask ourselves, “What is it that would be so attractive that it would hold my behavior within a boundary and keep me from wandering into formlessness?”
I think that is what Jesus was inviting Nicodemus to ask himself. In John’s Gospel, knowing where people come from is an important part of social status. Nicodemus granted that status to Jesus by saying, “we know you come from God.” There are all kinds of ironic innuendo throughout John’s Gospel about Jesus’ origin. The truth is that Jesus knew where he came from, while very few others did. Jesus was offering Nicodemus what he offered everyone: the status of coming “from above” that trumped any other source of status or humiliation. No wonder it was easier for the poor to let go of their status to accept the status Jesus offered them?
The question, "Where do disciples come from?" may have two answers. One obvious, but shallow and insufficient answer is "Disciples are those who come to Jesus” (like Nicodemus did). The deeper answer of faith is, "from above" (anothen) and "from (ek) water and spirit". We might also offer the answer: "I decided to follow Jesus." But that ends up being a shallow and insufficient answer alongside an awareness that "God chose, claimed, and made me a child of God" – a much more accurate rendering of "having been born from above." (My growth from Campus Crusade to an awareness of God’s deep, inexplicable and “from childhood” call on my life.)
Initially, Nicodemus was too full of his own knowing; he resisted the emptiness of chaos he needed to take in the new question Jesus was asking him. I’ve heard various versions of an old story that speaks to this reality. Sometimes the person is a man and sometimes a woman, but the person sets off on a journey to find the meaning of life. Upon arriving at the home of a sage that everyone has pointed to as having the answer to the question, the sage invites the guest to a cup of tea. The seeker responds, “No thank you. I didn't come all this way for tea. I came for an answer. Won't you tell me, please, what is the meaning of life?" "We shall have tea," the sage replies forcefully. So the person gives up and goes inside. While the sage brews the tea the guest tells the sage about all the books read, all the people met, all the places visited. The sage listened, placed a fragile tea cup in the guest’s hand, and then began to pour the tea. The guest failed to notice when the tea cup was full, so the sage just kept pouring until the tea ran over the sides of the cup and spilled to the floor in a steaming waterfall. "What are you doing?!" the guest yelled. "It's full, can't you see that? Stop! There's no more room!" "Just so," the sage said. "You come here wanting something from me, but what am I to do? There is no more room in your cup. Come back when it is empty and then we will talk."
Barbara Brown Taylor makes a literary connection between this story and Nicodemus’ story: “Jesus and Nicodemus dispensed with a tea ritual, but the outcome was the same. Nicodemus came looking for answers. Jesus would not cooperate. He poured tea all over his visitor's hand and said, in effect, that Nicodemus already had gallons of answers available to him. What he needed was one drop of experience--one moment of new birth--and he could leave all his answers lying in puddles on the floor.” ("Stay for Tea, Nicodemus," Barbara Brown Taylor, The Christian Century, 1996)
I have a friend that I love very much, but who tends to be very reactive. When I say something that he understands through his own filters, he concludes something very different from what I meant. And he begins to rant. I used to try to interrupt him, but he would just keep talking. Eventually I learned to simply wait him out. As I listened, I became fascinated with the way my words could lead to such different conclusions. When he finally finished his rant, I said, “Are you done?” and proceeded to say what I meant in another way. He finally calmed down and understood.
The great Jewish theologian, Martin Buber, described this well: “Nothing in the world can change from one reality into another unless it first turns into nothing, that is, into the reality of the between-stage.” This is precisely why we need faith. Without faith we will not empty our tea cup so we can receive something new. But we have to empty it before we are sure that the tea that is being offered will actually satisfy us. Wise people have learned only by opening ourselves to the unpredictable can we become flexible enough to deal with reality as it comes. A third Margaret for this Trinity Sunday is Margaret Fredrickson. She writes that, “People who flourish become ‘beautifully unpredictable’ [because] acting in unexpected ways is necessary for growth. Nobody grows by doing the same thing every day. In natural selection random genetic variation leads to new traits, even new species. Children are not exact replicas of their parents. There’s always some random genetic combination that can lead to new skills and attributes. Similarly I think that being “beautifully unpredictable” is essential for our individual evolution. (The Science of Happiness: Barbara Fredrickson On Cultivating Positive Emotions, Angela Winter, in The Sun Magazine 05/09)
My friends, this morning we welcome the Church of Peace to share our building and enter into partnership. There is a beautiful unpredictability about the journey ahead. I invite you to discover the beauty of unpredictability as you open yourself to the discomfort of not knowing on the path to the deeper, more life-giving knowing of the Spirit, both in your personal lives and as a congregation.
Recently I met with a couple that told me they had argued a lot about religion and they didn’t like what happened when they did that. They wanted something different to happen, but they didn’t know how. I decided to ask them how they experienced spirituality. In spite of the fact that my question was about spirituality, the initial answers for both came back in terms of religion. She talked about what she believed, which usually comes across as what we know. He spoke about his problems with institutional religion. After I pointed out that they were both responding with mental constructs about religion, I asked them if they knew when their spirits were being nurtured. She began to tell us about the moments in her union organizing when a contract has just been signed and the workers are celebrating. In those moments she has the feeling that she is connecting to something greater than what is actually going on. I said, that is spirituality. He then spoke about why he loves astrophysics. He has told his friends that when he dies he hopes that he gets to travel through the universe to see all of the nebulae up close. He loves working with the mathematical models around astrophysics, because he feels connected to something bigger than himself. I told him, that is spirituality.
I think the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus was similar to that. Nicodemus knew that he was missing something, and he saw in Jesus a possibility for finding it. He, too, started with religion, and was caught off guard when Jesus spoke about spiritual experience. But Jesus took him seriously and pushed him far beyond his comfort zone, because he saw in Nicodemus someone who was willing to risk leaving behind the truth as he knew it to explore something new. It is often said that Nicodemus meets Jesus at night to avoid being seen in this illicit liaison. But could there be an alternate interpretation? The rabbis taught that the Torah was best studied at night when it was quiet and the distractions of the day had subsided. Could Nicodemus be using his precious study time to expand his search beyond the standard texts? Could Jesus himself become the book into which Nicodemus delves, mining every word for wisdom and understanding?
Immediately Jesus ushers this seeker into a realm of wisdom that is more complex, deep and rich than anything Nicodemus has known. Using language that is poetic, metaphorical, suggestive and imaginative, Jesus talks of being born from above. Like most of us, Nicodemus responds in his best left-brain, legal-scholar, word-parsing mode: “we know you are a teacher from God.” He sees tricks, dead-ends and practical impossibilities. It is all he knows how to see. Yet Jesus persists from his right-brain, heart vocabulary, with fertile images of wind, spirit and expansive love. He confronts Nicodemus with the uncomfortable truth that “you do not understand these things.” We don’t know how long Nicodemus dwells in this liminal space between what is familiar to him -- the world where his status is recognized and esteemed and his worldview reliable -- and this new world of life everlasting on the wings of the wind of love. But we do know that the Word-made-flesh becomes Nicodemus’s text, and the living water of the Torah an ever-expanding pool of wisdom. (Patricia Farris) Knowing and not knowing – both are important for being a complete human being. Not knowing is necessary for discovering new knowings. I think that is what Jesus was essentially saying about not knowing where the wind comes from or where it goes. Religion can be an especially opaque kind of knowing that gets in the way of spiritual knowing. The “not knowing” invites us to make his story our story.
I spoke at the beginning of this year about the role of chaos, another word for unpredictability. I quoted Margaret Wheatley who said that in the West “we have resisted chaos. We believed there were straight lines to the top. If we set a goal or claimed a vision, we would get there, never looking back, never forced to descend into confusion or despair. These beliefs led us far from life, far from the processes by which newness is created. And it is only now, as modern life grows ever more turbulent and control slips away, that we are willing again to contemplate chaos. The destruction created by chaos is necessary for the creation of anything new.” (Margaret Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, p 119) In other words, only unpredictability creates the abyss in which we can recreate ourselves. That is the first piece of good news about unpredictability.
Margaret Wheatley goes on to say that life achieves order from clear centers rather than imposed restraints. This is the other side of unpredictability. Another Margaret – Margaret Boden – wrote that, “Unpredictability is not enough. At the heart of creativity lie constraints: the very opposite of unpredictability. Constraints and unpredictability, familiarity and surprise, are somehow combined in original thinking.”
I believe this is why we have the dance between religion and spirituality. Religion is about restraints. The word itself comes from the Latin “ligar”, which means to bind, fasten or tie. Even science has concluded that is not a bad thing in itself. But when a constraint – whether it be religion or a scientific theory – becomes more of an externally “imposed restraint” than a “clear center” around which our lives are oriented, then it ceases to be life giving. One way to discover our clear center is to ask ourselves, “What is it that would be so attractive that it would hold my behavior within a boundary and keep me from wandering into formlessness?”
I think that is what Jesus was inviting Nicodemus to ask himself. In John’s Gospel, knowing where people come from is an important part of social status. Nicodemus granted that status to Jesus by saying, “we know you come from God.” There are all kinds of ironic innuendo throughout John’s Gospel about Jesus’ origin. The truth is that Jesus knew where he came from, while very few others did. Jesus was offering Nicodemus what he offered everyone: the status of coming “from above” that trumped any other source of status or humiliation. No wonder it was easier for the poor to let go of their status to accept the status Jesus offered them?
The question, "Where do disciples come from?" may have two answers. One obvious, but shallow and insufficient answer is "Disciples are those who come to Jesus” (like Nicodemus did). The deeper answer of faith is, "from above" (anothen) and "from (ek) water and spirit". We might also offer the answer: "I decided to follow Jesus." But that ends up being a shallow and insufficient answer alongside an awareness that "God chose, claimed, and made me a child of God" – a much more accurate rendering of "having been born from above." (My growth from Campus Crusade to an awareness of God’s deep, inexplicable and “from childhood” call on my life.)
Initially, Nicodemus was too full of his own knowing; he resisted the emptiness of chaos he needed to take in the new question Jesus was asking him. I’ve heard various versions of an old story that speaks to this reality. Sometimes the person is a man and sometimes a woman, but the person sets off on a journey to find the meaning of life. Upon arriving at the home of a sage that everyone has pointed to as having the answer to the question, the sage invites the guest to a cup of tea. The seeker responds, “No thank you. I didn't come all this way for tea. I came for an answer. Won't you tell me, please, what is the meaning of life?" "We shall have tea," the sage replies forcefully. So the person gives up and goes inside. While the sage brews the tea the guest tells the sage about all the books read, all the people met, all the places visited. The sage listened, placed a fragile tea cup in the guest’s hand, and then began to pour the tea. The guest failed to notice when the tea cup was full, so the sage just kept pouring until the tea ran over the sides of the cup and spilled to the floor in a steaming waterfall. "What are you doing?!" the guest yelled. "It's full, can't you see that? Stop! There's no more room!" "Just so," the sage said. "You come here wanting something from me, but what am I to do? There is no more room in your cup. Come back when it is empty and then we will talk."
Barbara Brown Taylor makes a literary connection between this story and Nicodemus’ story: “Jesus and Nicodemus dispensed with a tea ritual, but the outcome was the same. Nicodemus came looking for answers. Jesus would not cooperate. He poured tea all over his visitor's hand and said, in effect, that Nicodemus already had gallons of answers available to him. What he needed was one drop of experience--one moment of new birth--and he could leave all his answers lying in puddles on the floor.” ("Stay for Tea, Nicodemus," Barbara Brown Taylor, The Christian Century, 1996)
I have a friend that I love very much, but who tends to be very reactive. When I say something that he understands through his own filters, he concludes something very different from what I meant. And he begins to rant. I used to try to interrupt him, but he would just keep talking. Eventually I learned to simply wait him out. As I listened, I became fascinated with the way my words could lead to such different conclusions. When he finally finished his rant, I said, “Are you done?” and proceeded to say what I meant in another way. He finally calmed down and understood.
The great Jewish theologian, Martin Buber, described this well: “Nothing in the world can change from one reality into another unless it first turns into nothing, that is, into the reality of the between-stage.” This is precisely why we need faith. Without faith we will not empty our tea cup so we can receive something new. But we have to empty it before we are sure that the tea that is being offered will actually satisfy us. Wise people have learned only by opening ourselves to the unpredictable can we become flexible enough to deal with reality as it comes. A third Margaret for this Trinity Sunday is Margaret Fredrickson. She writes that, “People who flourish become ‘beautifully unpredictable’ [because] acting in unexpected ways is necessary for growth. Nobody grows by doing the same thing every day. In natural selection random genetic variation leads to new traits, even new species. Children are not exact replicas of their parents. There’s always some random genetic combination that can lead to new skills and attributes. Similarly I think that being “beautifully unpredictable” is essential for our individual evolution. (The Science of Happiness: Barbara Fredrickson On Cultivating Positive Emotions, Angela Winter, in The Sun Magazine 05/09)
My friends, this morning we welcome the Church of Peace to share our building and enter into partnership. There is a beautiful unpredictability about the journey ahead. I invite you to discover the beauty of unpredictability as you open yourself to the discomfort of not knowing on the path to the deeper, more life-giving knowing of the Spirit, both in your personal lives and as a congregation.
May 20, 2009 + “Lest We Forget: People Count Most of All” (1 Corinthians 1:20-25) + Hayward Fong
Ron was a fifteen year old, tenth grader. It was game day and he was the only sophomore suiting up with the varsity team. With great excitement, he asked his mother to go to the game. She had never been to a football game before and she promised to be there with several of her friends. After the game, she waited outside the locker room to drive her son home.
“What did you think about the game, Mom? Did you see the three touchdown passes our team made and our tough defense, and the fumble recovery that we recovered on the kickoff return? Did you, huh?”
His Mom replied, “Ron, you were magnificent. You have such presence and I was proud of the pride you took in the way you looked. You pulled up your knee socks eleven times during the game, and I could tell you were perspiring in all those bulky pads because you got eight drinks and splashed water on your face twice. I really like how you went out of your way to pat No. 19, No. 5 and No. 90 on the back every time they came off the field.”
“Mom, how do you know all that? And how can you say I was magnificent? I didn’t even play in the game.”
His mother smiled and hugged him, “Ron, I don’t know anything about football. I didn’t come here to watch the game. I came here to watch you.”
The moral of the story is, “People count most of all!” Football is fine and it is fantastic for some people. But people are supreme.. People are more important than the game. Here’s another way to look at it.
One time the beautiful and popular actress Sophia Loren sobbed to her Italian movie director, Vittorio De Sica, over the theft of some of her jewelry. And he said to her: Listen to me, Sophia, I am much older than you and, if there is one great truth I have learned about life, it is this, “Never cry over anything that can’t cry over you!”
What a lesson! What a great lesson for life! People are more important than things! People are more important than cars and computers. People are more important than houses and furniture. People are more important than all material things!
Next Monday, the last Monday in May has been set aside by Congress as Memorial Day. Traditionally, it would be observed the following Saturday, on May 30th rather than the last Monday in May. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. I think the Monday observance has turned what should be a day of spiritual observance into the make-up of another three-day weekend. Many organizations feel that changing the May 30th observance has undermined the very meaning of the day. I hope its observance this year will be more in keeping as a day of memorializing the sacrifices that have been our nation’s hallmark and make it a more spiritual observance, most especially as we hear of our men and women dying daily in Iraq and Afghanistan, a total of almost 5,000 since the war began.
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally called, was an outgrowth of the Civil War. Waterloo, New York was the birthplace of Memorial Day. On May 5, 1866, the people in that community placed flowers on the graves of northern soldiers who had died in the war between the states. Two years later, Major General John Logan declared May 30th as a day for honoring soldiers who had died fighting for the north. After World War I, it was expanded to include the memory of all who had died fighting for our country in all of its wars – the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. It has now been expanded to include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and ipso-facto, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Those who still observe the occasion take the time to remember family and loved ones who have passed on to their eternal home by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.
I have read that on an average 750 persons will visit the U.S. Arizona in Hawaii and on Memorial Day weekend, about 4,600 will visit the memorial. And on an average some 3,000 persons will visit the Vietnam War Memorial and on Memorial Day weekend 7,600 will visit it.
God bless those who remember our deceased veterans. God bless those who remember any of their deceased loved ones. People count. People are what life is all about. People have contributed greatly to our lives and we need to remember them!
The American military through several wars and several centuries have preserved liberty for our citizens and others abroad. Many times a great price has been attached to their service.
In 2005, two pictures which were awarded first and second place at the Picture of the Year International were printed in the Rocky Mountain News.
The first place photo was of 2nd Lt. James Cathey’s body being unloaded off the plane at Reno Airport. Accompanying the picture was the following by Todd Heisler: When 2nd Lt. James Cathey’s body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine’s casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as one of the most powerful in the process: “See the people in the windows? They’ll sit right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta (sic) wonder what’s going through their minds, knowing that they’re on the plane that brought him home. They’re going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They’re going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.”
The second picture was of Lt. Cathey’s widow sleeping on the floor in front of her husband’s casket. Todd Heisler wrote the following: The night before the burial of her husband’s body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag.
Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of ‘Cat,’ and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. “I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,” she said. “I think that’s what he would have wanted.”
Each year some 5,000 wreaths decorate the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. They are donated by the Worchester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worchester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He has been doing this since 1992. Most years, groups of Maine school children combine an educational trip to our nation’s capital. with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is one of the poorest parts of Maine. Doing “good” is not necessarily well publicize.
It is well to remember those who have given their lives in the military service of our nation; it is equally important to remember others who have been most important in our lives.
First, we need to glorify our memory of Jesus the Christ!
Not everyone accepts the freedom offered in Christ, just as many do not properly use the freedom of this nation, which others died to provide for them. Paul said:
“Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.
“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:21-24 NLT).
And, we need to clarify the memory of our family and friends.
Many of us have parents who are deceased. Have you reflected and given thanks for the positive impact they had on your life? At the same time, have you faced up to the negative influence they may have had on you? Those who have had negative issues, need to face them honestly in order to be emotionally strong and free of them. In forgiving, you may still remember those issues, but they will merely be historical facts without their ability to disable you any longer. Free from that bondage you can live in a more positive relationship with your loved one and friends, and help prevent you from passing on those same errors to your children.
For some the process may involve deceased spouses. Some should seek to correct bad memories. Others should rejoice and give thanks to God for loving, cherishing, spiritual, responsible spouses that were their strength and mainstay.
Each year, my family conducts a memorial observance at several cemeteries where our loved ones are buried. Some are connected by blood or marriage, others are people who have formed a link of love in our Golden Chain of life. Some have been buried over seventy five years and others only a year or two. Many of the family never met some of those we honor but it gives those who have a chance to share and recall the influences on their lives.
We need to look back and remember people. We need to remember the people who made an impact on our lives. Lest we forget-Memorial Day means people and people count most of all.
Remember these words of Jesus! “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Amen.
“What did you think about the game, Mom? Did you see the three touchdown passes our team made and our tough defense, and the fumble recovery that we recovered on the kickoff return? Did you, huh?”
His Mom replied, “Ron, you were magnificent. You have such presence and I was proud of the pride you took in the way you looked. You pulled up your knee socks eleven times during the game, and I could tell you were perspiring in all those bulky pads because you got eight drinks and splashed water on your face twice. I really like how you went out of your way to pat No. 19, No. 5 and No. 90 on the back every time they came off the field.”
“Mom, how do you know all that? And how can you say I was magnificent? I didn’t even play in the game.”
His mother smiled and hugged him, “Ron, I don’t know anything about football. I didn’t come here to watch the game. I came here to watch you.”
The moral of the story is, “People count most of all!” Football is fine and it is fantastic for some people. But people are supreme.. People are more important than the game. Here’s another way to look at it.
One time the beautiful and popular actress Sophia Loren sobbed to her Italian movie director, Vittorio De Sica, over the theft of some of her jewelry. And he said to her: Listen to me, Sophia, I am much older than you and, if there is one great truth I have learned about life, it is this, “Never cry over anything that can’t cry over you!”
What a lesson! What a great lesson for life! People are more important than things! People are more important than cars and computers. People are more important than houses and furniture. People are more important than all material things!
Next Monday, the last Monday in May has been set aside by Congress as Memorial Day. Traditionally, it would be observed the following Saturday, on May 30th rather than the last Monday in May. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. I think the Monday observance has turned what should be a day of spiritual observance into the make-up of another three-day weekend. Many organizations feel that changing the May 30th observance has undermined the very meaning of the day. I hope its observance this year will be more in keeping as a day of memorializing the sacrifices that have been our nation’s hallmark and make it a more spiritual observance, most especially as we hear of our men and women dying daily in Iraq and Afghanistan, a total of almost 5,000 since the war began.
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was originally called, was an outgrowth of the Civil War. Waterloo, New York was the birthplace of Memorial Day. On May 5, 1866, the people in that community placed flowers on the graves of northern soldiers who had died in the war between the states. Two years later, Major General John Logan declared May 30th as a day for honoring soldiers who had died fighting for the north. After World War I, it was expanded to include the memory of all who had died fighting for our country in all of its wars – the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. It has now been expanded to include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and ipso-facto, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Those who still observe the occasion take the time to remember family and loved ones who have passed on to their eternal home by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.
I have read that on an average 750 persons will visit the U.S. Arizona in Hawaii and on Memorial Day weekend, about 4,600 will visit the memorial. And on an average some 3,000 persons will visit the Vietnam War Memorial and on Memorial Day weekend 7,600 will visit it.
God bless those who remember our deceased veterans. God bless those who remember any of their deceased loved ones. People count. People are what life is all about. People have contributed greatly to our lives and we need to remember them!
The American military through several wars and several centuries have preserved liberty for our citizens and others abroad. Many times a great price has been attached to their service.
In 2005, two pictures which were awarded first and second place at the Picture of the Year International were printed in the Rocky Mountain News.
The first place photo was of 2nd Lt. James Cathey’s body being unloaded off the plane at Reno Airport. Accompanying the picture was the following by Todd Heisler: When 2nd Lt. James Cathey’s body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine’s casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as one of the most powerful in the process: “See the people in the windows? They’ll sit right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta (sic) wonder what’s going through their minds, knowing that they’re on the plane that brought him home. They’re going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They’re going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.”
The second picture was of Lt. Cathey’s widow sleeping on the floor in front of her husband’s casket. Todd Heisler wrote the following: The night before the burial of her husband’s body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag.
Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of ‘Cat,’ and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. “I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,” she said. “I think that’s what he would have wanted.”
Each year some 5,000 wreaths decorate the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. They are donated by the Worchester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worchester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He has been doing this since 1992. Most years, groups of Maine school children combine an educational trip to our nation’s capital. with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is one of the poorest parts of Maine. Doing “good” is not necessarily well publicize.
It is well to remember those who have given their lives in the military service of our nation; it is equally important to remember others who have been most important in our lives.
First, we need to glorify our memory of Jesus the Christ!
Not everyone accepts the freedom offered in Christ, just as many do not properly use the freedom of this nation, which others died to provide for them. Paul said:
“Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.
“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:21-24 NLT).
And, we need to clarify the memory of our family and friends.
Many of us have parents who are deceased. Have you reflected and given thanks for the positive impact they had on your life? At the same time, have you faced up to the negative influence they may have had on you? Those who have had negative issues, need to face them honestly in order to be emotionally strong and free of them. In forgiving, you may still remember those issues, but they will merely be historical facts without their ability to disable you any longer. Free from that bondage you can live in a more positive relationship with your loved one and friends, and help prevent you from passing on those same errors to your children.
For some the process may involve deceased spouses. Some should seek to correct bad memories. Others should rejoice and give thanks to God for loving, cherishing, spiritual, responsible spouses that were their strength and mainstay.
Each year, my family conducts a memorial observance at several cemeteries where our loved ones are buried. Some are connected by blood or marriage, others are people who have formed a link of love in our Golden Chain of life. Some have been buried over seventy five years and others only a year or two. Many of the family never met some of those we honor but it gives those who have a chance to share and recall the influences on their lives.
We need to look back and remember people. We need to remember the people who made an impact on our lives. Lest we forget-Memorial Day means people and people count most of all.
Remember these words of Jesus! “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Amen.
10 de mayo de 2009
CANTOS ALELUYA, CRISTO RESUCITO
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
Fueron mujeres al sepulcro. La piedra, un ángel removió;
Les dijo: “Ha resucitado,” Y al irse les salió el Señor.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
La Magdalena fue llorando y cristo se el apareció;
Le pidió ir a sus hermanos con un encargo que le dio.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
A los discípulos de tarde, Cristo también se presentó.
Les enseñó las cinco heridas; dando la paz les saludó.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
Tomás no estaba en ese encuentro; ‘y ver pidió para creer.
Cristo llegó y le dijo: “Mira, palpa mi herida y ten fe.”
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
De Los Cuatro Rincones del Mundo
1.- De los cuatro rincones del mundo, se combina la sangre en las venas
de este pueblo que canta sus penas, de este pueblo que grita su fe;
recia sangre traída de España, noble sangre del indio sufrido,
fuerte sangre de esclavo oprimido; toda sangre comprada en la cruz.
2.- De los cuatro rincones del mundo, de Alemania, Escocia, Ilocano,
desde Asia y la costa africana, de El Salvador, México, Irán.
Esta hora bendita nos trajo el secreto designio divino
que a todos ató en un destino y de todos un reino creará.
3.- Por los cuatro rincones de mundo el pecado construye barreras;
mas la fe no respeta fronteras, la justicia y la paz triunfarán.
A los cuatro rincones del mundo somos pueblo que anuncia el mañana
cuando a todos en paz soberana Dios en lazos de amor unirá.
Cristo te necesita para amar
Cristo te necesita para amar, para amar. Cristo te necesita para amar.
Al que sufre y al triste dale amor, dale amor; al humilde y al pobre dale amor.
Refrán \\ No importen las razas y el color de la piel;
Ama a todos cual hermanos y haz el bien. //
Al que vive a tu lado dale amor, dale amor; al que viene de lejos dale amor.
Al que habla otra lengua dale amor, dale amor; y al que piensa distinto dale amor. Refrán
Al amigo de siempre dale amor, dale amor; y al que no te saluda dale amor.
Cristo te necesita para amar para amar. Cristo te necesita para amar. Refrán
INVOCACION Y BIENVENIDA
ORACION PARA LAS MADRES
Uno/a: Gracias, O Dios, por el don de la vida, y por la posibilidad que das a tantas mujeres
de ser madres y llevar vida en su propia vida.
Todos/as: Te pedimos que bendigas a todas las mamás: a las mamás abuelas o bisabuelas,
a las mamás jóvenes y las mayores, a las mamás primerizas y las de familia
"numerosa", a las mamás que acarician su pancita con esperanza y a las que
cada noche se despiertan a dar de mamar.
Uno/a: Te damos gracias por la fuerza y el cariño, no solamente en el parto, sino en la
lucha de cada día
Todos/as: Hoy te pedimos en especial por las mamás que están solas, que enfrentan el
embarazo, el parto y la lucha diaria, sin la compañía y el sostén de un hombre o
una familia.
Uno/a: Te damos gracias por tanto cuidado y dedicación de mamá las veces que
estuvimos con hambre, pasamos miedo o enfermedad.
Todos/as: Hoy te queremos pedir en especial por las mamás que defienden la vida que
llevan adentro, luchando contra el Sida que las destruye y la sociedad que las
discrimina. Porque sabemos tu amor por la vida, te pedimos que las cuides y nos
hagas solidarios en su angustia.
Uno/a: Te damos gracias por las mamás que están en este momento embarazadas y que
esperan con fe y alegría disfrutar de la vida que pronto estará en sus brazos.
Todos/as: En este día también queremos pedirte por las niñas mamás. Pedimos que tu
amor que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, se haga cariño y solidaridad en nosotros,
para acompañar estas vidas.
Uno/a: Gracias, O Dios, por el milagro de la vida. Porque cada vez que una nueva vida
llega al mundo sentimos la maravilla de tu amor a la que nos tienes acostumbrados.
Todos/as: Te pedimos, oh Dios, en este día en especial, por las mamás que han perdido a
sus hijos. Porque pusieron todo el cariño y la fuerza y no logran comprender por
qué el milagro de la vida no les sonríe. Y, en medio de tanta gratitud y alegría
por lo que nos has dado, nos atrevemos también a pedirte por todas las mamás, y
en especial, por las que más necesitan de tu presencia.
CANTO DE ADORACION ¡CANTA, DÉBORA, CANTA!
¡Canta, Débora, canta! ¡Canta, Débora, canta!
Madre de Israel, líder de ejércitos, canta un himno a tu Dios.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios escoge a los humildes.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios nos fortalece con su poder.
¡Canta, Débora, canta! ¡Canta, Débora, canta!
Todos los que cantan, alcen hoy sus voces, Canten un himno de loor.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios escoge a los humildes.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios nos fortalece con su poder.
LECTURAS BIBLICAS
Lector/a: La lectura viene del Libro de Los Hechos de los Apostoles, capítulo , versículos del 26-40. Escuchen por la Palabra de Dios a cada uno.
26 Un ángel de Dios le dijo a Felipe: «Ponte en marcha hacia el sur, por el camino del desierto que baja de Jerusalén a Gaza.»27 Felipe emprendió el viaje, y resulta que se encontró con un etíope eunuco, alto funcionario encargado de todo el tesoro de la Candace, reina de los etíopes. Éste había ido a Jerusalén para adorar28 y, en el viaje de regreso a su país, iba sentado en su carro, leyendo el libro del profeta Isaías. El Espíritu le dijo a Felipe: «Acércate y júntate a ese carro.» 30 Felipe se acercó de prisa al carro y, al oír que el hombre leía al profeta Isaías, le preguntó: “¿Acaso entiende usted lo que está leyendo?” 31 “¿Y cómo voy a entenderlo,” contestó, “ si nadie me lo explica?”
Así que invitó a Felipe a subir y sentarse con él.32 El pasaje de la Escritura que estaba leyendo era el siguiente: “Como oveja, fue llevado al matadero; y como cordero que enmudece ante su trasquilador, ni siquiera abrió su boca. Lo humillaron y no le hicieron justicia. ¿Quién describirá su descendencia? Porque su vida fue arrancada de la tierra.»
34 “Dígame usted, por favor, ¿de quién habla aquí el profeta, de sí mismo o de algún otro?” le preguntó el eunuco a Felipe. 35 Entonces Felipe, comenzando con ese mismo pasaje de la Escritura, le anunció las buenas nuevas acerca de Jesús.36 Mientras iban por el camino, llegaron a un lugar donde había agua, y dijo el eunuco: “Mire usted, aquí hay agua. ¿Qué impide que yo sea bautizado?” 38 Entonces mandó parar el carro, y ambos bajaron al agua, y Felipe lo bautizó.39 Cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu de Dios se llevó de repente a Felipe. El eunuco no volvió a verlo, pero siguió alegre su camino.40 En cuanto a Felipe, apareció en Azoto, y se fue predicando el evangelio en todos los pueblos hasta que llegó a Cesarea.
MENSAJE El Testimonio de la Vida de Resurreccion Frank Alton
CANTO DE COMPROMISO Canción del Testigo
Estribillo: Por Ti, mi Dios, cantando voy la alegría de ser tu testigo, O Dios.
Es fuego tu Palabra que mi boca quemó, mis labios ya son llamas y cenizas mi voz
Da miedo proclamarla pero Tú me dices: “No temas contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Tu Palabra es una carga que mi espalda dobló, es brasa tu mensaje que mi lengua secó
Déjate quemar si quieres alumbrar, “no temas, contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Me mandas que cante con toda mi voz, no sé como cantar tu mensaje de amor,
La gente me pregunta cuál es mi misión, les digo: “Tu testigo soy”. Estribillo
ORACIONES DEL PUEBLO
NOTICIAS DEL PUEBLO
OFRENDA “OFERTORIO NICARAGÜENSE”
Estribillo: Te ofrecemos Oh Dios nuestro,con el vino y con el pan
nuestras penas y alegrías,el trabajo nuestro afán.
1. Como el trigo de los campos bajo el signo de la cruz,
se transformen nuestras vidas en el cuerpo de Jesús. Estribillo:
2. A los pobres de la tierra, a los que sufriendo están,
cambia su dolor en vino como la uva en el lagar. Estribillo:
3. Estos dones son el signo del esfuerzo de unidad,
que nosotros (as) realizamos en el campo y la ciudad. Estribillo:
4. Es tu pueblo quien te ofrece, con los dones del altar,
la naturaleza entera, anhelando libertad. Estribillo:
INVITACIÓN A LA MESA
ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS
Uno/a: Dios esté con ustedes Todos/as: Y con tu espíritu.
Uno/a: Levanten sus corazones. Todos/as: Los levantamos a Dios.
Uno/a: Demos gracias a Dios Todos/as: Es justo y necesario darle gracias y alabanza.
SANTO Santo Salvadoreño
Santo, santo, santo, Santo Santo, santo es nuestro Dios.
Señor de toda la tierra, Santo, santo, es nuestro Dios.
Santo, santo, santo, santo, Santo, santo es nuestro Dios,
Señor de toda la historia, Santo, santo es nuestro Dios.
Que acompaña a nuestro pueblo, que vive en nuestras luchas,
Su universo entero se une a la misión, Benditos los que en su nombre
el Evangelio anuncian, la buena y gran noticia de la liberación.
Santa, santa, santa, santa, Santa, santa Trinidad,
Que le da vida a los pueblos y les trae libertad.
Santa, santa, santa, santa, Santa,santa Trinidad,
Que vino a cambiar la historia de toda la humanidad.
PADRE/MADRE NUESTRO
Nuestro Padre y madre, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu Reino.
Hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. Y
no nos dejes caer en tentación, mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder, y la
gloria. Por los siglos de los siglos. AMÉN
PALABRAS DE INSTITUCIÓN
LA COMUNIÓN Unidos en la fiesta
Refrán Unidos en la fiesta, la alegría se hace canción.
Unidos en la fe la alegría se hace oración.
Cantaremos a nuestro Dios aleluyas con himnos y salmos,
Porque grande es el amor que en nosotros por siempre mostró. Refrán
Cantaremos la bondad de Jesús que nos sienta a su mesa
y nos llama a comulgar, como hermanos(as) su vino y su pan. Refrán
Cantaremos a nuestro Dios aleluyas al son de instrumentos,
Y será nuestra canción la alabanza que ensalza su amor. Refrán
Yo soy el pan de vida
Yo soy el Pan de vida, el que viene a mí no tendrá hambre.
La que cree en mí no tendrá sed. Nadie viene a mí si Dios no le trae.
Refrán Yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré en el dia final.
El pan que yo daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.
Los que comen de este pan vivirán por siempre, viviran por siempre. Refrán
Si ustedes no comen de la carne del Hijo del Hombre,
Y no beben de su sangre, no beben de su sangre, no podrán tener mi vida. Refrán
Yo soy la resurrección Yo soy la vida.
Si ustedes creen en mí, aunque hayan muerto, vivirán por siempre. Refrán
Sí, Jesús, creemos que tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios,
Que has venido al mundo, para revelar a Dios. Refrán
ORACIÓN DESPUÉS DE LA COMUNIÓN
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
Fueron mujeres al sepulcro. La piedra, un ángel removió;
Les dijo: “Ha resucitado,” Y al irse les salió el Señor.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
La Magdalena fue llorando y cristo se el apareció;
Le pidió ir a sus hermanos con un encargo que le dio.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
A los discípulos de tarde, Cristo también se presentó.
Les enseñó las cinco heridas; dando la paz les saludó.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
Tomás no estaba en ese encuentro; ‘y ver pidió para creer.
Cristo llegó y le dijo: “Mira, palpa mi herida y ten fe.”
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
De Los Cuatro Rincones del Mundo
1.- De los cuatro rincones del mundo, se combina la sangre en las venas
de este pueblo que canta sus penas, de este pueblo que grita su fe;
recia sangre traída de España, noble sangre del indio sufrido,
fuerte sangre de esclavo oprimido; toda sangre comprada en la cruz.
2.- De los cuatro rincones del mundo, de Alemania, Escocia, Ilocano,
desde Asia y la costa africana, de El Salvador, México, Irán.
Esta hora bendita nos trajo el secreto designio divino
que a todos ató en un destino y de todos un reino creará.
3.- Por los cuatro rincones de mundo el pecado construye barreras;
mas la fe no respeta fronteras, la justicia y la paz triunfarán.
A los cuatro rincones del mundo somos pueblo que anuncia el mañana
cuando a todos en paz soberana Dios en lazos de amor unirá.
Cristo te necesita para amar
Cristo te necesita para amar, para amar. Cristo te necesita para amar.
Al que sufre y al triste dale amor, dale amor; al humilde y al pobre dale amor.
Refrán \\ No importen las razas y el color de la piel;
Ama a todos cual hermanos y haz el bien. //
Al que vive a tu lado dale amor, dale amor; al que viene de lejos dale amor.
Al que habla otra lengua dale amor, dale amor; y al que piensa distinto dale amor. Refrán
Al amigo de siempre dale amor, dale amor; y al que no te saluda dale amor.
Cristo te necesita para amar para amar. Cristo te necesita para amar. Refrán
INVOCACION Y BIENVENIDA
ORACION PARA LAS MADRES
Uno/a: Gracias, O Dios, por el don de la vida, y por la posibilidad que das a tantas mujeres
de ser madres y llevar vida en su propia vida.
Todos/as: Te pedimos que bendigas a todas las mamás: a las mamás abuelas o bisabuelas,
a las mamás jóvenes y las mayores, a las mamás primerizas y las de familia
"numerosa", a las mamás que acarician su pancita con esperanza y a las que
cada noche se despiertan a dar de mamar.
Uno/a: Te damos gracias por la fuerza y el cariño, no solamente en el parto, sino en la
lucha de cada día
Todos/as: Hoy te pedimos en especial por las mamás que están solas, que enfrentan el
embarazo, el parto y la lucha diaria, sin la compañía y el sostén de un hombre o
una familia.
Uno/a: Te damos gracias por tanto cuidado y dedicación de mamá las veces que
estuvimos con hambre, pasamos miedo o enfermedad.
Todos/as: Hoy te queremos pedir en especial por las mamás que defienden la vida que
llevan adentro, luchando contra el Sida que las destruye y la sociedad que las
discrimina. Porque sabemos tu amor por la vida, te pedimos que las cuides y nos
hagas solidarios en su angustia.
Uno/a: Te damos gracias por las mamás que están en este momento embarazadas y que
esperan con fe y alegría disfrutar de la vida que pronto estará en sus brazos.
Todos/as: En este día también queremos pedirte por las niñas mamás. Pedimos que tu
amor que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, se haga cariño y solidaridad en nosotros,
para acompañar estas vidas.
Uno/a: Gracias, O Dios, por el milagro de la vida. Porque cada vez que una nueva vida
llega al mundo sentimos la maravilla de tu amor a la que nos tienes acostumbrados.
Todos/as: Te pedimos, oh Dios, en este día en especial, por las mamás que han perdido a
sus hijos. Porque pusieron todo el cariño y la fuerza y no logran comprender por
qué el milagro de la vida no les sonríe. Y, en medio de tanta gratitud y alegría
por lo que nos has dado, nos atrevemos también a pedirte por todas las mamás, y
en especial, por las que más necesitan de tu presencia.
CANTO DE ADORACION ¡CANTA, DÉBORA, CANTA!
¡Canta, Débora, canta! ¡Canta, Débora, canta!
Madre de Israel, líder de ejércitos, canta un himno a tu Dios.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios escoge a los humildes.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios nos fortalece con su poder.
¡Canta, Débora, canta! ¡Canta, Débora, canta!
Todos los que cantan, alcen hoy sus voces, Canten un himno de loor.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios escoge a los humildes.
Porque bueno es Dios, bueno es Dios, Dios nos fortalece con su poder.
LECTURAS BIBLICAS
Lector/a: La lectura viene del Libro de Los Hechos de los Apostoles, capítulo , versículos del 26-40. Escuchen por la Palabra de Dios a cada uno.
26 Un ángel de Dios le dijo a Felipe: «Ponte en marcha hacia el sur, por el camino del desierto que baja de Jerusalén a Gaza.»27 Felipe emprendió el viaje, y resulta que se encontró con un etíope eunuco, alto funcionario encargado de todo el tesoro de la Candace, reina de los etíopes. Éste había ido a Jerusalén para adorar28 y, en el viaje de regreso a su país, iba sentado en su carro, leyendo el libro del profeta Isaías. El Espíritu le dijo a Felipe: «Acércate y júntate a ese carro.» 30 Felipe se acercó de prisa al carro y, al oír que el hombre leía al profeta Isaías, le preguntó: “¿Acaso entiende usted lo que está leyendo?” 31 “¿Y cómo voy a entenderlo,” contestó, “ si nadie me lo explica?”
Así que invitó a Felipe a subir y sentarse con él.32 El pasaje de la Escritura que estaba leyendo era el siguiente: “Como oveja, fue llevado al matadero; y como cordero que enmudece ante su trasquilador, ni siquiera abrió su boca. Lo humillaron y no le hicieron justicia. ¿Quién describirá su descendencia? Porque su vida fue arrancada de la tierra.»
34 “Dígame usted, por favor, ¿de quién habla aquí el profeta, de sí mismo o de algún otro?” le preguntó el eunuco a Felipe. 35 Entonces Felipe, comenzando con ese mismo pasaje de la Escritura, le anunció las buenas nuevas acerca de Jesús.36 Mientras iban por el camino, llegaron a un lugar donde había agua, y dijo el eunuco: “Mire usted, aquí hay agua. ¿Qué impide que yo sea bautizado?” 38 Entonces mandó parar el carro, y ambos bajaron al agua, y Felipe lo bautizó.39 Cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu de Dios se llevó de repente a Felipe. El eunuco no volvió a verlo, pero siguió alegre su camino.40 En cuanto a Felipe, apareció en Azoto, y se fue predicando el evangelio en todos los pueblos hasta que llegó a Cesarea.
MENSAJE El Testimonio de la Vida de Resurreccion Frank Alton
CANTO DE COMPROMISO Canción del Testigo
Estribillo: Por Ti, mi Dios, cantando voy la alegría de ser tu testigo, O Dios.
Es fuego tu Palabra que mi boca quemó, mis labios ya son llamas y cenizas mi voz
Da miedo proclamarla pero Tú me dices: “No temas contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Tu Palabra es una carga que mi espalda dobló, es brasa tu mensaje que mi lengua secó
Déjate quemar si quieres alumbrar, “no temas, contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Me mandas que cante con toda mi voz, no sé como cantar tu mensaje de amor,
La gente me pregunta cuál es mi misión, les digo: “Tu testigo soy”. Estribillo
ORACIONES DEL PUEBLO
NOTICIAS DEL PUEBLO
OFRENDA “OFERTORIO NICARAGÜENSE”
Estribillo: Te ofrecemos Oh Dios nuestro,con el vino y con el pan
nuestras penas y alegrías,el trabajo nuestro afán.
1. Como el trigo de los campos bajo el signo de la cruz,
se transformen nuestras vidas en el cuerpo de Jesús. Estribillo:
2. A los pobres de la tierra, a los que sufriendo están,
cambia su dolor en vino como la uva en el lagar. Estribillo:
3. Estos dones son el signo del esfuerzo de unidad,
que nosotros (as) realizamos en el campo y la ciudad. Estribillo:
4. Es tu pueblo quien te ofrece, con los dones del altar,
la naturaleza entera, anhelando libertad. Estribillo:
INVITACIÓN A LA MESA
ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS
Uno/a: Dios esté con ustedes Todos/as: Y con tu espíritu.
Uno/a: Levanten sus corazones. Todos/as: Los levantamos a Dios.
Uno/a: Demos gracias a Dios Todos/as: Es justo y necesario darle gracias y alabanza.
SANTO Santo Salvadoreño
Santo, santo, santo, Santo Santo, santo es nuestro Dios.
Señor de toda la tierra, Santo, santo, es nuestro Dios.
Santo, santo, santo, santo, Santo, santo es nuestro Dios,
Señor de toda la historia, Santo, santo es nuestro Dios.
Que acompaña a nuestro pueblo, que vive en nuestras luchas,
Su universo entero se une a la misión, Benditos los que en su nombre
el Evangelio anuncian, la buena y gran noticia de la liberación.
Santa, santa, santa, santa, Santa, santa Trinidad,
Que le da vida a los pueblos y les trae libertad.
Santa, santa, santa, santa, Santa,santa Trinidad,
Que vino a cambiar la historia de toda la humanidad.
PADRE/MADRE NUESTRO
Nuestro Padre y madre, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu Reino.
Hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. Y
no nos dejes caer en tentación, mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder, y la
gloria. Por los siglos de los siglos. AMÉN
PALABRAS DE INSTITUCIÓN
LA COMUNIÓN Unidos en la fiesta
Refrán Unidos en la fiesta, la alegría se hace canción.
Unidos en la fe la alegría se hace oración.
Cantaremos a nuestro Dios aleluyas con himnos y salmos,
Porque grande es el amor que en nosotros por siempre mostró. Refrán
Cantaremos la bondad de Jesús que nos sienta a su mesa
y nos llama a comulgar, como hermanos(as) su vino y su pan. Refrán
Cantaremos a nuestro Dios aleluyas al son de instrumentos,
Y será nuestra canción la alabanza que ensalza su amor. Refrán
Yo soy el pan de vida
Yo soy el Pan de vida, el que viene a mí no tendrá hambre.
La que cree en mí no tendrá sed. Nadie viene a mí si Dios no le trae.
Refrán Yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré en el dia final.
El pan que yo daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.
Los que comen de este pan vivirán por siempre, viviran por siempre. Refrán
Si ustedes no comen de la carne del Hijo del Hombre,
Y no beben de su sangre, no beben de su sangre, no podrán tener mi vida. Refrán
Yo soy la resurrección Yo soy la vida.
Si ustedes creen en mí, aunque hayan muerto, vivirán por siempre. Refrán
Sí, Jesús, creemos que tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios,
Que has venido al mundo, para revelar a Dios. Refrán
ORACIÓN DESPUÉS DE LA COMUNIÓN
3 de mayo de 2009
CANTOS DE ALABANZA Cantemos al Creador
Cantemos al Creador un himno de alegría,
feliz canción de amor, al nacer el nuevo día.
Dios hizo el cielo y mar, el sol y las estrellas,
Y en ellos vio bondad, pues sus obras eran bellas.
Refrán // ¡Aleluya! ¡Aleluya! Cantemos al Creador. ¡Aleluya!//
Cantemos al Creador un himnos de alabanza
que exprese nuestro amor, nuestra fe nuestra esperanza;
También la creación pregona su grandeza;
con nuestro fiel cantar anunciamos su belleza. Refrán
De la Justicia Brota la Paz
Estribillo De la justicia brota la paz y del derecho la calma.
Cantemos a Jesús con alegría; vayamos hacia El con regocijo.
La paz de su reino nos ofrece en medio del dolor y el desconcierto. Estribillo
El mundo nos sonríe con tristeza; juntemos nuestras manos como hermanos.
Que nazca la paz de nuestro canto y la justicia de nuestros labios. Estribillo
HOY CELEBRAMOS CON GOZO
Hoy celebramos con gozo al Dios que nos da la vida,
quien con amor nos sustenta y provee de todo bien;
al que vino hasta nosotros y murió en una cruz,
que ha vencido a las tinieblas y a la muerte destruyó.
Refrán ¡Cristo vive! Celebremos y esperemos su gran don;
Santo Espíritu divino, ven a nuestro corazón.
Con júbilo celebremos a quien da la salvación
que da vida y esperanza y se goza en el perdón.
Con panderos y con palmas entonemos la canción,
celebremos que Dios vive dance nuestro corazón. Refrán
Hoy acudimos alegres a esta fiesta del amor;
el pueblo ha sido llamado a reunirse con su Dios.
En amor hoy celebramos esta santa comunión
estrechándonos las manos, somos pueblo del Creador. Refrán
Camina, pueblo de Dios
Estribillo: Camina pueblo de Dios, Camina pueblo de Dios.
Nueva ley, nueva alianza en la nueva creación.
Camina pueblo de Dios, camina pueblo de Dios.
Mira allá en el calvario, en la roca hay una cruz;
muerte que engendra la vida, esperanza nueva luz.
Cristo nos ha salvado con su muerte y resurrección.
Todas las cosas renacen en la nueva creación. Estribillo
Cristo toma en su cuerpo el pecado, la esclavitud.
Al destruirlos, nos trae una nueva plenitud.
Pone en paz a los pueblos, a las cosas y al Creador.
Todo renace a la vida en la nueva creación Estribillo
Cielo y tierra se abrazan, nuestra alma halla el perdón.
Vuelven a abrir los cielos para el mundo pecador.
Israel peregrino, vive y canta tu redención.
Hay nuevos mundos abiertos en la nueva creación Estribillo
Canción del Testigo
Estribillo: Por Ti, mi Dios, cantando voy la alegría de ser tu testigo, O Dios.
Es fuego tu Palabra que mi boca quemó, mis labios ya son llamas y cenizas mi voz
Da miedo proclamarla pero Tú me dices: “No temas contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Tu Palabra es una carga que mi espalda dobló, es brasa tu mensaje que mi lengua secó
Déjate quemar si quieres alumbrar, “no temas, contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Me mandas que cante con toda mi voz, no sé como cantar tu mensaje de amor,
La gente me pregunta cuál es mi misión, les digo: “Tu testigo soy”. Estribillo
INVOCACION Y BIENVENIDA
INVITACIÓN A LA CONFESIÓN
Uno/a 1 Hermanas y hermanos, oremos a Dios el Creador e invoquemos al Espíritu Santo, para ser perdonados y renovadas.
Breve pausa
ORACION DE CONFESION
Uno/a: O Dios, tu suples todas nuestras necesidades.
Hombres: Mas nosotros somos insensatos/as. Construimos sobre los delicados
pastos.
Mujeres: Nosotras contaminamos las aguas de reposo.
Todos/as: Hacemos caminos sin pensar y les ponemos nuestros propios nombres.
Nuestros miedos hacen valles de sombras de muerte para otras personas.
Uno/a: ¡Oh Dios, llámanos por nuestro nombre!
Mujeres: Perdónanos y sácanos de las correrías inútiles para llevarnos nuevamente
al hogar.
Hombres: Úngenos para servirte a ti y a todo lo que has creado, dando gracias por tu
gracia abundante.
ORACIÓN DE CONFESIÓN PERSONAL
Uno/a: Amén.
DECLARACIÓN DE PERDÓN
Uno/a: Amados y amadas, si nuestros corazones no nos condenan es que tenemos
valentía delante de Dios y recibimos de Dios lo que pidamos.
Proclamemos las buenas nuevas:
Todos/as: En Jesucristo somos perdonados y perdonadas
CANTO DE ADORACION Aleluya de Honduras
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, alabemos a Jesus.
LECTURAS BIBLICAS
Lector/a: La lectura viene del Libro de Los Hechos de los Apostoles, capítulo 4, versículos del 5-12. Escuchen por la Palabra de Dios a cada uno.
5 Al día siguiente se reunieron en Jerusalén los gobernantes, los ancianos y los *maestros de la ley.6 Allí estaban el sumo sacerdote Anás, Caifás, Juan, Alejandro y los otros miembros de la familia del sumo sacerdote.7 Hicieron que Pedro y Juan comparecieran ante ellos y comenzaron a interrogarlos: “¿Con qué poder, o en nombre de quién, hicieron ustedes esto?” 8 Pedro, lleno del Espíritu Santo, les respondió: “Gobernantes del pueblo y ancianos:9 Hoy se nos procesa por haber favorecido a un inválido, ¡y se nos pregunta cómo fue sanado!10 Sepan, pues, todos ustedes y todo el pueblo de Israel que este hombre está aquí delante de ustedes, sano gracias al nombre de Jesucristo de Nazaret, crucificado por ustedes pero resucitado por Dios.11 Jesucristo es ‘la piedra que desecharon ustedes los constructores, y que ha llegado a ser la piedra angular.’ 12 De hecho, en ningún otro hay salvación, porque no hay bajo el cielo otro nombre dado a los hombres mediante el cual podamos ser salvos.”
MENSAJE El Denuedo de la Vida de Resurreccion Frank Alton
CANTO DE COMPROMISO Arriba los Corazones
Estribillo: Arriba los corazones, vayamos todos al pan de vida,
que es fuente de gloria eterna, de fortaleza y de alegría.
A ti acudimos sedientos, ¡ven, Jesús! tenemos fe en tu misterio, ¡ven, Jesús!
Queremos darte la vida, ¡ven, Jesús! con sus dolores y dichas, ¡ven, Jesús! Estribillo
Perdona nuestros pecados, ¡ven, Jesús! por eso en ti confiamos, ¡ven, Jesús!
y hallaremos fuerzas, ¡ven, Jesús! para olvidar las ofensas, ¡ven, Jesús! Estribillo
Que no haya luchas fraternas, ¡ven, Jesús! ni esclavitud, ni miserias, ¡ven, Jesús!
aparta el odio del mundo, ¡ven, Jesús! que exista un orden más justo, ¡ven, Jesús!
ORACIONES DEL PUEBLO
NOTICIAS DEL PUEBLO
OFRENDA Danos un corazón
Gente nueva creadora de la historia, constructora de nueva humanidad,
gente nueva que vive la existencia como riesgo de un largo caminar.
Refrán Danos un corazón grande para amar, danos un corazón fuerte para luchar.
Gente nueva luchando en esperanza, caminantes sedientos de verdad,
gente nueva sin frenos ni cadenas, gente libre que exige libertad. Refrán
Gente nueva amando sin fronteras por encima de razas y lugar,
gente nueva al lado de los pobres compartiendo con ellos techo y pan. Refrán
INVITACIÓN A LA MESA
ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS
Uno/a: Dios esté con ustedes Todos/as: Y con tu espíritu.
Uno/a: Levanten sus corazones. Todos/as: Los levantamos a Dios.
Uno/a: Demos gracias a Dios Todos/as: Es justo y necesario darle gracias y alabanza.
SANTO Santo
Uno/a: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Todos/as: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Uno/a: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Todos/as: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Uno/a: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Todos/as: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
PADRE/MADRE NUESTRO
Nuestro Padre y madre, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu Reino.
Hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. Y
no nos dejes caer en tentación, mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder, y la
gloria. Por los siglos de los siglos. AMÉN
PALABRAS DE INSTITUCIÓN
LA COMUNIÓN Eres santo
Eres santo, eres Dios por toda la eternidad;
siempre tu muy cerca estas de tu pueblo, O Dios.
Te alabamos hoy aquí, te adoramos con fervor.
A tu iglesia en vino y pan nueva vida así le das.
Eres santo, eres Dios, Te sentimos. La creación te dé loor.
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, O Dios.
Yo soy el pan de vida
Yo soy el Pan de vida, el que viene a mí no tendrá hambre.
La que cree en mí no tendrá sed. Nadie viene a mí si Dios no le trae.
Refrán Yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré en el dia final.
El pan que yo daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.
Los que comen de este pan vivirán por siempre, viviran por siempre. Refrán
Si ustedes no comen de la carne del Hijo del Hombre,
Y no beben de su sangre, no beben de su sangre, no podrán tener mi vida. Refrán
Yo soy la resurrección Yo soy la vida.
Si ustedes creen en mí, aunque hayan muerto, vivirán por siempre. Refrán
Sí, Jesús, creemos que tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios,
Que has venido al mundo, para revelar a Dios. Refrán
ORACIÓN DESPUÉS DE LA COMUNIÓN
Cantemos al Creador un himno de alegría,
feliz canción de amor, al nacer el nuevo día.
Dios hizo el cielo y mar, el sol y las estrellas,
Y en ellos vio bondad, pues sus obras eran bellas.
Refrán // ¡Aleluya! ¡Aleluya! Cantemos al Creador. ¡Aleluya!//
Cantemos al Creador un himnos de alabanza
que exprese nuestro amor, nuestra fe nuestra esperanza;
También la creación pregona su grandeza;
con nuestro fiel cantar anunciamos su belleza. Refrán
De la Justicia Brota la Paz
Estribillo De la justicia brota la paz y del derecho la calma.
Cantemos a Jesús con alegría; vayamos hacia El con regocijo.
La paz de su reino nos ofrece en medio del dolor y el desconcierto. Estribillo
El mundo nos sonríe con tristeza; juntemos nuestras manos como hermanos.
Que nazca la paz de nuestro canto y la justicia de nuestros labios. Estribillo
HOY CELEBRAMOS CON GOZO
Hoy celebramos con gozo al Dios que nos da la vida,
quien con amor nos sustenta y provee de todo bien;
al que vino hasta nosotros y murió en una cruz,
que ha vencido a las tinieblas y a la muerte destruyó.
Refrán ¡Cristo vive! Celebremos y esperemos su gran don;
Santo Espíritu divino, ven a nuestro corazón.
Con júbilo celebremos a quien da la salvación
que da vida y esperanza y se goza en el perdón.
Con panderos y con palmas entonemos la canción,
celebremos que Dios vive dance nuestro corazón. Refrán
Hoy acudimos alegres a esta fiesta del amor;
el pueblo ha sido llamado a reunirse con su Dios.
En amor hoy celebramos esta santa comunión
estrechándonos las manos, somos pueblo del Creador. Refrán
Camina, pueblo de Dios
Estribillo: Camina pueblo de Dios, Camina pueblo de Dios.
Nueva ley, nueva alianza en la nueva creación.
Camina pueblo de Dios, camina pueblo de Dios.
Mira allá en el calvario, en la roca hay una cruz;
muerte que engendra la vida, esperanza nueva luz.
Cristo nos ha salvado con su muerte y resurrección.
Todas las cosas renacen en la nueva creación. Estribillo
Cristo toma en su cuerpo el pecado, la esclavitud.
Al destruirlos, nos trae una nueva plenitud.
Pone en paz a los pueblos, a las cosas y al Creador.
Todo renace a la vida en la nueva creación Estribillo
Cielo y tierra se abrazan, nuestra alma halla el perdón.
Vuelven a abrir los cielos para el mundo pecador.
Israel peregrino, vive y canta tu redención.
Hay nuevos mundos abiertos en la nueva creación Estribillo
Canción del Testigo
Estribillo: Por Ti, mi Dios, cantando voy la alegría de ser tu testigo, O Dios.
Es fuego tu Palabra que mi boca quemó, mis labios ya son llamas y cenizas mi voz
Da miedo proclamarla pero Tú me dices: “No temas contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Tu Palabra es una carga que mi espalda dobló, es brasa tu mensaje que mi lengua secó
Déjate quemar si quieres alumbrar, “no temas, contigo estoy”. Estribillo
Me mandas que cante con toda mi voz, no sé como cantar tu mensaje de amor,
La gente me pregunta cuál es mi misión, les digo: “Tu testigo soy”. Estribillo
INVOCACION Y BIENVENIDA
INVITACIÓN A LA CONFESIÓN
Uno/a 1 Hermanas y hermanos, oremos a Dios el Creador e invoquemos al Espíritu Santo, para ser perdonados y renovadas.
Breve pausa
ORACION DE CONFESION
Uno/a: O Dios, tu suples todas nuestras necesidades.
Hombres: Mas nosotros somos insensatos/as. Construimos sobre los delicados
pastos.
Mujeres: Nosotras contaminamos las aguas de reposo.
Todos/as: Hacemos caminos sin pensar y les ponemos nuestros propios nombres.
Nuestros miedos hacen valles de sombras de muerte para otras personas.
Uno/a: ¡Oh Dios, llámanos por nuestro nombre!
Mujeres: Perdónanos y sácanos de las correrías inútiles para llevarnos nuevamente
al hogar.
Hombres: Úngenos para servirte a ti y a todo lo que has creado, dando gracias por tu
gracia abundante.
ORACIÓN DE CONFESIÓN PERSONAL
Uno/a: Amén.
DECLARACIÓN DE PERDÓN
Uno/a: Amados y amadas, si nuestros corazones no nos condenan es que tenemos
valentía delante de Dios y recibimos de Dios lo que pidamos.
Proclamemos las buenas nuevas:
Todos/as: En Jesucristo somos perdonados y perdonadas
CANTO DE ADORACION Aleluya de Honduras
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, alabemos a Jesus.
LECTURAS BIBLICAS
Lector/a: La lectura viene del Libro de Los Hechos de los Apostoles, capítulo 4, versículos del 5-12. Escuchen por la Palabra de Dios a cada uno.
5 Al día siguiente se reunieron en Jerusalén los gobernantes, los ancianos y los *maestros de la ley.6 Allí estaban el sumo sacerdote Anás, Caifás, Juan, Alejandro y los otros miembros de la familia del sumo sacerdote.7 Hicieron que Pedro y Juan comparecieran ante ellos y comenzaron a interrogarlos: “¿Con qué poder, o en nombre de quién, hicieron ustedes esto?” 8 Pedro, lleno del Espíritu Santo, les respondió: “Gobernantes del pueblo y ancianos:9 Hoy se nos procesa por haber favorecido a un inválido, ¡y se nos pregunta cómo fue sanado!10 Sepan, pues, todos ustedes y todo el pueblo de Israel que este hombre está aquí delante de ustedes, sano gracias al nombre de Jesucristo de Nazaret, crucificado por ustedes pero resucitado por Dios.11 Jesucristo es ‘la piedra que desecharon ustedes los constructores, y que ha llegado a ser la piedra angular.’ 12 De hecho, en ningún otro hay salvación, porque no hay bajo el cielo otro nombre dado a los hombres mediante el cual podamos ser salvos.”
MENSAJE El Denuedo de la Vida de Resurreccion Frank Alton
CANTO DE COMPROMISO Arriba los Corazones
Estribillo: Arriba los corazones, vayamos todos al pan de vida,
que es fuente de gloria eterna, de fortaleza y de alegría.
A ti acudimos sedientos, ¡ven, Jesús! tenemos fe en tu misterio, ¡ven, Jesús!
Queremos darte la vida, ¡ven, Jesús! con sus dolores y dichas, ¡ven, Jesús! Estribillo
Perdona nuestros pecados, ¡ven, Jesús! por eso en ti confiamos, ¡ven, Jesús!
y hallaremos fuerzas, ¡ven, Jesús! para olvidar las ofensas, ¡ven, Jesús! Estribillo
Que no haya luchas fraternas, ¡ven, Jesús! ni esclavitud, ni miserias, ¡ven, Jesús!
aparta el odio del mundo, ¡ven, Jesús! que exista un orden más justo, ¡ven, Jesús!
ORACIONES DEL PUEBLO
NOTICIAS DEL PUEBLO
OFRENDA Danos un corazón
Gente nueva creadora de la historia, constructora de nueva humanidad,
gente nueva que vive la existencia como riesgo de un largo caminar.
Refrán Danos un corazón grande para amar, danos un corazón fuerte para luchar.
Gente nueva luchando en esperanza, caminantes sedientos de verdad,
gente nueva sin frenos ni cadenas, gente libre que exige libertad. Refrán
Gente nueva amando sin fronteras por encima de razas y lugar,
gente nueva al lado de los pobres compartiendo con ellos techo y pan. Refrán
INVITACIÓN A LA MESA
ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS
Uno/a: Dios esté con ustedes Todos/as: Y con tu espíritu.
Uno/a: Levanten sus corazones. Todos/as: Los levantamos a Dios.
Uno/a: Demos gracias a Dios Todos/as: Es justo y necesario darle gracias y alabanza.
SANTO Santo
Uno/a: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Todos/as: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Uno/a: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Todos/as: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Uno/a: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Todos/as: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
PADRE/MADRE NUESTRO
Nuestro Padre y madre, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu Reino.
Hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. Y
no nos dejes caer en tentación, mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder, y la
gloria. Por los siglos de los siglos. AMÉN
PALABRAS DE INSTITUCIÓN
LA COMUNIÓN Eres santo
Eres santo, eres Dios por toda la eternidad;
siempre tu muy cerca estas de tu pueblo, O Dios.
Te alabamos hoy aquí, te adoramos con fervor.
A tu iglesia en vino y pan nueva vida así le das.
Eres santo, eres Dios, Te sentimos. La creación te dé loor.
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, O Dios.
Yo soy el pan de vida
Yo soy el Pan de vida, el que viene a mí no tendrá hambre.
La que cree en mí no tendrá sed. Nadie viene a mí si Dios no le trae.
Refrán Yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré en el dia final.
El pan que yo daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.
Los que comen de este pan vivirán por siempre, viviran por siempre. Refrán
Si ustedes no comen de la carne del Hijo del Hombre,
Y no beben de su sangre, no beben de su sangre, no podrán tener mi vida. Refrán
Yo soy la resurrección Yo soy la vida.
Si ustedes creen en mí, aunque hayan muerto, vivirán por siempre. Refrán
Sí, Jesús, creemos que tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios,
Que has venido al mundo, para revelar a Dios. Refrán
ORACIÓN DESPUÉS DE LA COMUNIÓN
April 29, 2009 + “Jesus Is Speaking To You: Are You Listening?” (John 10:22-30) + Hayward Fong
At first glance, our gospel lesson as prescribed in the Lectionary for the Fourth Week in Easter seems out of place. This story takes place before the events of Passion Week, before Jesus’ death on the cross, before his resurrection. As a matter of fact, the events in this story lead to the events of the past several weeks. So why has the Lectionary placed this text at this point in time for our study?
For three weeks, the Lectionary has led us to see Jesus appearing to Thomas, appearing to the people in the upper room, appearing to the two people along the road to Emmaus, appearing to the disciples as he made breakfast on the lakeshore. The physical fact of the resurrection has been very clearly documented in the scripture. We have seen that Jesus has risen indeed.
Today, the Lectionary leads us to see who Jesus is, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd. Today our Scripture tells us that Jesus and the Father are one. Today, we see who Jesus is beyond the resurrection. We see Him as the Son of God.
Our text begins as Jesus is walking in the portico of Solomon in the temple in Jerusalem. It was a cold day as John says it was winter. Winter in Jesus’ day meant that the wind came in from the east and it was raw and cold. He was walking in the part of the temple that was enclosed which sheltered him from the raw east wind. As he walked, prayed and meditated, a group of Jews came to him and asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life,…”
Jesus tells the Jews that he is the Christ, the Messiah. He tells them that he has told them over and over again who he is, but they will not believe. He speaks, but they do not hear.
Jesus wants us to hear his words; he wants us to understand who he is for our lives. He wants us to know and believe that he is our shepherd and we are his sheep. He wants us to follow his voice; he wants us to hear his words of peace and comfort in our lives. But sometimes you and I have a difficult time hearing.
Let me share a story about a dear old lady whose hearing had largely failed and was experiencing great difficulty understanding what was being said to her. Persons trying to communicate would draw close and shout loudly. They would cup their hands and scream into her ears. And even with all this, the dear old lady would often shake her head and sigh that she was unable to hear.
But she was married to a kind and patient man whom she had shared love and life for more than 60 years. It was strange to many that she could hear him when she was able to hear no one else. He would take her frail hand in his, look deeply into her eyes, and speak distinctly in a tone which seemed only a trifle louder than normal. And the wife he loved always heard and understood.
There wasn’t anything really strange about this. It was a matter of relationship, of basic understanding, a sense of love, compassion… a link connecting these two people. There was a bond of understanding, true mutual love and a sense of kindness that let the man have patience with his hard of hearing wife, and let her surrender herself to him for she knew he wanted only what was the best for her.
One of the consequences of the resurrection that is pointed out in this text, one of the things Jesus is asking us to understand about our risen Christ, is that we need to hear his voice and follow it in this world. Though we might have a difficult time hearing his voice, though it might seem we are deaf to his voice, Jesus is reminding us that he wants to be patient with us, he wants a bond of trust and understanding between us so that we can hear his voice, so that we can trust him, so that we will know he wants what is best for us.
But I think you and I are too easily distracted in the rush of the modern world. Maybe we are deaf to the words of Jesus; maybe we don’t have a hearing problem as much as we hear what we want to hear so we tune out Jesus and tune in on all the sounds and words of the world as it rushes by. Maybe part of our problem is we don’t have a trusting relationship with him to listen intently to his words.
And maybe the other part of the problem is we only listen to what we want to listen to, and far too much of our listening is centered on the world and not on Jesus. I think the following story will demonstrate far better what I’m trying to say.
Two men were walking along a crowded city sidewalk. Suddenly one of the men remarked, “Listen to the lovely sound of the cricket,” but the other man couldn’t hear the sound. He asked his friend how he could hear the sound of a cricket amid the roar of traffic and the sound of the people. The first man, who was a zoologist, had trained himself to hear the sounds of nature. He didn’t explain to his friend in words how he could hear the sound of the cricket, but instead, he reached in his pocket, pulled out a fifty cent piece, dropped it onto the sidewalk, and watched intently as a dozen people began to look for the coin as they heard it clanking around amid the sounds of the traffic and the sounds of the crowded city living. He said to his friend, “We hear what we listen for.”
Maybe that is our problem with the voice of Jesus as he is trying to get us to follow him. We hear everything else but him because we aren’t willing to listen. We don’t want to hear his voice; we tune it out instead of focusing our attention on it.
The Jews heard, but did not believe. They saw his signs, but did not get the message. We have heard his word down through the centuries through the Bible, through preaching, through the sacrament, that Jesus is the Christ, the risen Lord. We have seen his deeds as the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of countless people, but still we don’t believe, still we have a difficult time centering our attention, our focus on this shepherd who would guide our lives. In one sense we have an advantage over the Jews of Jesus’ time; we have the whole story. We have seen in the scripture the witness to the resurrection. We have heard sermons these last three Sundays from Frank, Sam and Elizabeth, giving powerful witness that indeed Jesus has risen. So we should be able to trust him, to follow him, to believe in his Lordship for our lives with greater conviction than the Jews who approached Jesus in the temple. But sadly, many people still doubt; many people still do not trust Jesus as their savior. Many people are still looking, still searching for meaning and purpose to their lives. Many people have found no one to help them with the burdens they carry. Many people are still wandering aimlessly in life, with no direction, no goal, no idea what to make of their life, what they want to accomplish with the God given gifts that have been so generously given to them.
I think one reason so many people are direction less, are aimless, are just wandering around with no purpose is because they have not let Jesus control; they have not surrendered to him so that he can be the good shepherd, so that he can take care of them giving them guidance, giving them peace, giving them a sense of worth and direction.
I want to close with a story that speaks of a guide who will guide us through the abyss of life. It was published among a collection of stories in a book entitled, “A Fresh Packet of Sower’s Seeds, Third Planting” back in 1994.
“A traveler was returning to his home from a journey to a distant country. At nightfall he arrived at the entrance to a vast forest. Unable to either delay his journey or retrace his steps, he was prepared to traverse the sullen forces when he came upon an old shepherd from whom he asked the way.
“‘Alas!’ cried the shepherd. ‘It is not easy to point it out, for the forest is criss-crossed by hundreds of paths winding in every direction. They are almost all similar in appearance, though all with one exception lead to the Great Abyss.’ ‘What is the Great Abyss?’ the traveler inquired.
“‘It is the abyss which surrounds the forest,’ replied the shepherd. ‘Moreover, the forest is filled with robbers and wild beasts. In particular, it is ravaged by an enormous serpent, so that scarcely a day passes but we find the remains of some unfortunate traveler who fell prey to it. Still,’ the shepherd continued, ‘as it is impossible to arrive at the place where you are going without traversing the forest, I have, through a motive of compassion stationed myself at the entrance of the forest to assist and direct travelers. I have also placed my sons at different intervals to assist me in the same good work. Their services and mine are at your disposal, and I am ready to accompany you is you so desire.’
“The candor and venerable appearance of the old man satisfied the traveler, and he accepted the proposal. The shepherd held a lantern with one hand and with the other took the arm of the traveler. Then they set out upon their journey through the dark forest.
“After walking for some distance, the traveler felt his strength waning. ‘Lean on me,’ said the shepherd. The traveler did so, and was able to continue the journey. At length the lamp began to flicker. ‘Ah!’ groaned the traveler. ‘The oil has nearly spent, and the light will soon be gone. What will become of us now?’
“‘Do not fear,’ consoled the shepherd. ‘We shall soon meet one of my sons, who will supply us with more oil.’ Just then the traveler perceived a glimmer of light shining through the darkness. The light shone from a small cabin by the side of the narrow path. At the sound of the shepherd’s well-known voice, the cabin door swung open. A seat was offered to the weary traveler, and some plain but substantial food was set before him. Thus refreshed, the traveler set out again, guided by the shepherd’s son.
“In this manner the traveler journeyed on for the rest of the night. From time to time, they stopped at different cabins built along the path. At each stop he obtained refreshment, a bit of rest and was furnished with a new guide. With the dawning of daylight, the traveler arrived, without incident, at the farthest boundary of the forest. Only then did he appreciate the magnitude of the service rendered him by the shepherd and his sons. At the very edge of the forest, right before his feet, lay a frightful precipice, at the bottom of which he could distinguish the roar of an angry current.
“‘This,’ said his guide, ‘is the Great Abyss which my father spoke about. No one knows its depth, for it is always covered with a thick fog which no eye can penetrate. As he spoke, he heaved a deep sigh, and wiped a tear from his eyes. ‘You seemed grieved,’ said the traveler. ‘How can it be otherwise?’ replied the guide. ‘Can I look at the abyss without thinking of the thousands of unfortunate people who every day are swallowed up in it? In vain do my father and my brothers offer our service. Very few accept them, and of those few the greater portion, after journeying for a few hours, accuse us of needlessly alarming them. They despise our advice and set out on paths of their own choosing. The consequence is that they soon lose their way and are devoured by the serpent, murdered by robbers, or plunge headlong into the abyss. You see there is only this one little bridge by which the Great Abyss can be crossed, and the way which leads to the bridge is known to us alone. Pass over with confidence,’ continued the guide. He turned to the traveler, embraced him and said, ‘On the other side is your true home.’
“The traveler, overcome with gratitude, thanked his charitable guide and promised never to forget him. He crossed the narrow bridge and discovered he was now in his own land and his family was there to welcome him.”
Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
Amen.
For three weeks, the Lectionary has led us to see Jesus appearing to Thomas, appearing to the people in the upper room, appearing to the two people along the road to Emmaus, appearing to the disciples as he made breakfast on the lakeshore. The physical fact of the resurrection has been very clearly documented in the scripture. We have seen that Jesus has risen indeed.
Today, the Lectionary leads us to see who Jesus is, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd. Today our Scripture tells us that Jesus and the Father are one. Today, we see who Jesus is beyond the resurrection. We see Him as the Son of God.
Our text begins as Jesus is walking in the portico of Solomon in the temple in Jerusalem. It was a cold day as John says it was winter. Winter in Jesus’ day meant that the wind came in from the east and it was raw and cold. He was walking in the part of the temple that was enclosed which sheltered him from the raw east wind. As he walked, prayed and meditated, a group of Jews came to him and asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life,…”
Jesus tells the Jews that he is the Christ, the Messiah. He tells them that he has told them over and over again who he is, but they will not believe. He speaks, but they do not hear.
Jesus wants us to hear his words; he wants us to understand who he is for our lives. He wants us to know and believe that he is our shepherd and we are his sheep. He wants us to follow his voice; he wants us to hear his words of peace and comfort in our lives. But sometimes you and I have a difficult time hearing.
Let me share a story about a dear old lady whose hearing had largely failed and was experiencing great difficulty understanding what was being said to her. Persons trying to communicate would draw close and shout loudly. They would cup their hands and scream into her ears. And even with all this, the dear old lady would often shake her head and sigh that she was unable to hear.
But she was married to a kind and patient man whom she had shared love and life for more than 60 years. It was strange to many that she could hear him when she was able to hear no one else. He would take her frail hand in his, look deeply into her eyes, and speak distinctly in a tone which seemed only a trifle louder than normal. And the wife he loved always heard and understood.
There wasn’t anything really strange about this. It was a matter of relationship, of basic understanding, a sense of love, compassion… a link connecting these two people. There was a bond of understanding, true mutual love and a sense of kindness that let the man have patience with his hard of hearing wife, and let her surrender herself to him for she knew he wanted only what was the best for her.
One of the consequences of the resurrection that is pointed out in this text, one of the things Jesus is asking us to understand about our risen Christ, is that we need to hear his voice and follow it in this world. Though we might have a difficult time hearing his voice, though it might seem we are deaf to his voice, Jesus is reminding us that he wants to be patient with us, he wants a bond of trust and understanding between us so that we can hear his voice, so that we can trust him, so that we will know he wants what is best for us.
But I think you and I are too easily distracted in the rush of the modern world. Maybe we are deaf to the words of Jesus; maybe we don’t have a hearing problem as much as we hear what we want to hear so we tune out Jesus and tune in on all the sounds and words of the world as it rushes by. Maybe part of our problem is we don’t have a trusting relationship with him to listen intently to his words.
And maybe the other part of the problem is we only listen to what we want to listen to, and far too much of our listening is centered on the world and not on Jesus. I think the following story will demonstrate far better what I’m trying to say.
Two men were walking along a crowded city sidewalk. Suddenly one of the men remarked, “Listen to the lovely sound of the cricket,” but the other man couldn’t hear the sound. He asked his friend how he could hear the sound of a cricket amid the roar of traffic and the sound of the people. The first man, who was a zoologist, had trained himself to hear the sounds of nature. He didn’t explain to his friend in words how he could hear the sound of the cricket, but instead, he reached in his pocket, pulled out a fifty cent piece, dropped it onto the sidewalk, and watched intently as a dozen people began to look for the coin as they heard it clanking around amid the sounds of the traffic and the sounds of the crowded city living. He said to his friend, “We hear what we listen for.”
Maybe that is our problem with the voice of Jesus as he is trying to get us to follow him. We hear everything else but him because we aren’t willing to listen. We don’t want to hear his voice; we tune it out instead of focusing our attention on it.
The Jews heard, but did not believe. They saw his signs, but did not get the message. We have heard his word down through the centuries through the Bible, through preaching, through the sacrament, that Jesus is the Christ, the risen Lord. We have seen his deeds as the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of countless people, but still we don’t believe, still we have a difficult time centering our attention, our focus on this shepherd who would guide our lives. In one sense we have an advantage over the Jews of Jesus’ time; we have the whole story. We have seen in the scripture the witness to the resurrection. We have heard sermons these last three Sundays from Frank, Sam and Elizabeth, giving powerful witness that indeed Jesus has risen. So we should be able to trust him, to follow him, to believe in his Lordship for our lives with greater conviction than the Jews who approached Jesus in the temple. But sadly, many people still doubt; many people still do not trust Jesus as their savior. Many people are still looking, still searching for meaning and purpose to their lives. Many people have found no one to help them with the burdens they carry. Many people are still wandering aimlessly in life, with no direction, no goal, no idea what to make of their life, what they want to accomplish with the God given gifts that have been so generously given to them.
I think one reason so many people are direction less, are aimless, are just wandering around with no purpose is because they have not let Jesus control; they have not surrendered to him so that he can be the good shepherd, so that he can take care of them giving them guidance, giving them peace, giving them a sense of worth and direction.
I want to close with a story that speaks of a guide who will guide us through the abyss of life. It was published among a collection of stories in a book entitled, “A Fresh Packet of Sower’s Seeds, Third Planting” back in 1994.
“A traveler was returning to his home from a journey to a distant country. At nightfall he arrived at the entrance to a vast forest. Unable to either delay his journey or retrace his steps, he was prepared to traverse the sullen forces when he came upon an old shepherd from whom he asked the way.
“‘Alas!’ cried the shepherd. ‘It is not easy to point it out, for the forest is criss-crossed by hundreds of paths winding in every direction. They are almost all similar in appearance, though all with one exception lead to the Great Abyss.’ ‘What is the Great Abyss?’ the traveler inquired.
“‘It is the abyss which surrounds the forest,’ replied the shepherd. ‘Moreover, the forest is filled with robbers and wild beasts. In particular, it is ravaged by an enormous serpent, so that scarcely a day passes but we find the remains of some unfortunate traveler who fell prey to it. Still,’ the shepherd continued, ‘as it is impossible to arrive at the place where you are going without traversing the forest, I have, through a motive of compassion stationed myself at the entrance of the forest to assist and direct travelers. I have also placed my sons at different intervals to assist me in the same good work. Their services and mine are at your disposal, and I am ready to accompany you is you so desire.’
“The candor and venerable appearance of the old man satisfied the traveler, and he accepted the proposal. The shepherd held a lantern with one hand and with the other took the arm of the traveler. Then they set out upon their journey through the dark forest.
“After walking for some distance, the traveler felt his strength waning. ‘Lean on me,’ said the shepherd. The traveler did so, and was able to continue the journey. At length the lamp began to flicker. ‘Ah!’ groaned the traveler. ‘The oil has nearly spent, and the light will soon be gone. What will become of us now?’
“‘Do not fear,’ consoled the shepherd. ‘We shall soon meet one of my sons, who will supply us with more oil.’ Just then the traveler perceived a glimmer of light shining through the darkness. The light shone from a small cabin by the side of the narrow path. At the sound of the shepherd’s well-known voice, the cabin door swung open. A seat was offered to the weary traveler, and some plain but substantial food was set before him. Thus refreshed, the traveler set out again, guided by the shepherd’s son.
“In this manner the traveler journeyed on for the rest of the night. From time to time, they stopped at different cabins built along the path. At each stop he obtained refreshment, a bit of rest and was furnished with a new guide. With the dawning of daylight, the traveler arrived, without incident, at the farthest boundary of the forest. Only then did he appreciate the magnitude of the service rendered him by the shepherd and his sons. At the very edge of the forest, right before his feet, lay a frightful precipice, at the bottom of which he could distinguish the roar of an angry current.
“‘This,’ said his guide, ‘is the Great Abyss which my father spoke about. No one knows its depth, for it is always covered with a thick fog which no eye can penetrate. As he spoke, he heaved a deep sigh, and wiped a tear from his eyes. ‘You seemed grieved,’ said the traveler. ‘How can it be otherwise?’ replied the guide. ‘Can I look at the abyss without thinking of the thousands of unfortunate people who every day are swallowed up in it? In vain do my father and my brothers offer our service. Very few accept them, and of those few the greater portion, after journeying for a few hours, accuse us of needlessly alarming them. They despise our advice and set out on paths of their own choosing. The consequence is that they soon lose their way and are devoured by the serpent, murdered by robbers, or plunge headlong into the abyss. You see there is only this one little bridge by which the Great Abyss can be crossed, and the way which leads to the bridge is known to us alone. Pass over with confidence,’ continued the guide. He turned to the traveler, embraced him and said, ‘On the other side is your true home.’
“The traveler, overcome with gratitude, thanked his charitable guide and promised never to forget him. He crossed the narrow bridge and discovered he was now in his own land and his family was there to welcome him.”
Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
Amen.
26 de abril de 2009
CANTOS DE ALABANZA ALELUYA, CRISTO RESUCITO
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
Fueron mujeres al sepulcro. La piedra, un ángel removió;
Les dijo: “Ha resucitado,” Y al irse les salió el Señor.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
La Magdalena fue llorando y cristo se el apareció;
Le pidió ir a sus hermanos con un encargo que le dio.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
A los discípulos de tarde, Cristo también se presentó.
Les enseñó las cinco heridas; dando la paz les saludó.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
Tomás no estaba en ese encuentro; ‘y ver pidió para creer.
Cristo llegó y le dijo: “Mira, palpa mi herida y ten fe.”
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
HOY CELEBRAMOS CON GOZO
Hoy celebramos con gozo al Dios que nos da la vida,
quien con amor nos sustenta y provee de todo bien;
al que vino hasta nosotros y murió en una cruz,
que ha vencido a las tinieblas y a la muerte destruyó.
Refrán ¡Cristo vive! Celebremos y esperemos su gran don;
Santo Espíritu divino, ven a nuestro corazón.
Con júbilo celebremos a quien da la salvación
que da vida y esperanza y se goza en el perdón.
Con panderos y con palmas entonemos la canción,
celebremos que Dios vive dance nuestro corazón. Refrán
Hoy acudimos alegres a esta fiesta del amor;
el pueblo ha sido llamado a reunirse con su Dios.
En amor hoy celebramos esta santa comunión
estrechándonos las manos, somos pueblo del Creador. Refrán
Jesucristo Esperanza del Mundo
Un poco después del presente alegre el futuro proclama
la fuga total de la noche, la luz que ya el día derrama.
Estribillo: Venga tu reino, o Dios; la fiesta del mundo recrea
Y nuestra espera y dolor transforma en plena alegría. Ae,eia, ae,ae,ae.
Capullo de amor y esperanza, anuncio de flor que será,
Promesa de hallar tu presencia que vida abundante traerá. Estribillo
Nos diste, O Dios, la simiente, señal de que el reino es ahora;
Futuro que alumbra el presente, viniendo ya estás sin demora. Estribillo
Brota ya el retoño
Brota ya el retoño en el seco erial; la semilla en tierra vuelve a germinar;
nace a la luz de plena oscuridad.
Estribillo Vuelve ya el amor cual primavera en flor.
En oscura tumba vino a descansar; nunca imaginaron que iba a despertar.
¡Mas Él venció la muerte con poder! Estribillo
Bella la mañana cuando revivió Él que por tres días las tinieblas vió.
Vino Jesús la muerte a conquistar. Estribillo
Si en los corazones hay pena y dolor, basta su caricia para dar calor.
Perfecta paz tan sólo Él puede dar. Estribillo
INVOCACION Y BIENVENIDA
INVITACIÓN A LA CONFESIÓN
Uno/a 1 Hermanas y hermanos, oremos a Dios el Creador e invoquemos al Espíritu Santo, para ser perdonados y renovadas.
Breve pausa
ORACION DE CONFESION
Uno/a: Dios Padre y Madre, somos tus hijos e hijas a través de tu amor.
Todos/as: Sin embargo, no reconocemos a tu Hijo, nuestro hermano, cuando trabaja
en medio nuestro.
Uno/a: Buscamos a un fantasma con manos y pies heridos mientras que él cuida a
las personas quebrantadas y heridas que se encuentran en nuestras calles. Todos/as: Nos preguntamos si le reconoceremos aún si está en la puerta de nuestra
casa pidiendo algo de comer.
Uno/a: Oh Dios, abre nuestras mentes para que podamos entender las Escrituras.
Todos/as: Perdónanos y abre nuestros ojos para que podamos reconocer a Jesús y
unirnos a su trabajo. Amén.
ORACIÓN DE CONFESIÓN PERSONAL
Uno/a: Amén.
DECLARACIÓN DE PERDÓN
Uno/a: ¿Quién podrá hacerte daño si deseas de corazón hacer lo correcto? No les tengas
miedo. No te preocupes.
Todos/as: Porque Cristo murió para unirnos a Dios. Aleluya
CANTO DE ADORACION Aleluya de Honduras
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, alabemos a Jesus.
LECTURAS BIBLICAS
Lector/a: La lectura viene del Libro de Los Hechos de los Apostoles, capítulo 2, versículos del 32-37. Escuchen por la Palabra de Dios a cada uno.
El Peregrino de Emaús
¿Qué venías conversando? me dijiste buen amigo,
y me detuve asombrado a la vera del camino.
¿No sabes lo que ha pasado allá en Jerusalén? ¿De Jesús de Nazaret a quien clavaron en Cruz?
Por eso me vuelvo triste a mi aldea de Emaús.
Refrán Por la calzada de Emaús un peregrino iba conmigo.
No lo conocí al caminar; ahora sí, en la fracción del pan.
Van tres días que se ha muerto y se acaba mi esperanza.
Dicen que algunas mujeres al sepulcro fueron de alba;
Pedro, Juan y algunos otros, hoy también allá buscaron.
Más se acaba mi confianza, no encontraron a Jesús:
Por eso me vuelvo triste a mi aldea de Emaús. Refrán
Oh, tardíos corazones que ignoráis a los profetas.
En la ley ya está anunciado que el Mesías padeciera
y por llegar a su gloria eligiera la aflicción.
En la tarde de aquel día yo sentí que por Jesús
nuestro corazón ardía a la vista de Emaús. Refrán
Hizo señas de seguir más allá de nuestra aldea;
y la luz del sol poniente parecía que muriera.
Quédate forastero, ponte a la mesa y bendice.
Y al destello de su luz, en la bendición del Pan,
mis ojos reconocieron al amigo de Emaús. Refrán
MENSAJE El Camino a Emaus Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder
CANTO DE COMPROMISO Su nombre es Jesús
Su nombre es Jesús y pasa hambre, y clama por la boca del hambriento;
y muchos que lo ven pasan de largo, acaso por llegar temprano al templo.
Su nombre es Jesús y sed soporta, y está en quién de justicia va sediento;
y muchos que lo ven pasan de largo, a veces ocupados con sus rezos.
Estribillo: Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús.
Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús.
Su nombre es Jesús y está desnudo, la ausencia del amor hiela sus huesos;
y muchos que lo ven pasan de largo, seguros y al calor de su dinero.
Su nombre es Jesús y enfermo vive, y su agonía es la del enfermo;
y muchos que lo ven no hacen caso, tal vez no frecuentaba mucho el templo.
Estribillo //Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús//
Su nombre es Jesús y está en la cárcel, está en la sociedad de cada preso;
y nadie lo visita y hasta dicen: “Tal vez no era de los nuestros.”
Su nombre es Jesús, el que sed tiene; él pide por la boca del hambriento;
está preso, está enfermo, está desnudo, pero él nos va a juzgar por todo eso.
Estribillo //Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús//
ORACIONES DEL PUEBLO
NOTICIAS DEL PUEBLO
OFRENDA Cuando el pobre nada tiene
Cuando el pobre nada tiene y aún reparte, cuando alguien pasa sed y agua nos da,
cuando el débil a su hermano fortalece.
Estribillo: Va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar,
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.
Cuando alguien sufre y logra su consuelo, cuando espera y no se cansa de esperar,
cuando amamos aunque el odio lo rodee. Estribillo:
Cuando crece la alegría y nos inunda, cuando dicen nuestros labios la verdad,
cuando amamos el sentir de los sencillos. Estribillo:
Cuando abunda el bien y llena hogares, cuando alguien donde hay guerra pone paz,
cuando ‘hermano’ le llamamos al extraño. Estribillo:
INVITACIÓN A LA MESA
ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS
Uno/a: Dios esté con ustedes Todos/as: Y con tu espíritu.
Uno/a: Levanten sus corazones. Todos/as: Los levantamos a Dios.
Uno/a: Demos gracias a Dios Todos/as: Es justo y necesario darle gracias y alabanza.
SANTO Santo
Uno/a: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Todos/as: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Uno/a: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Todos/as: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Uno/a: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Todos/as: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
PADRE/MADRE NUESTRO
Nuestro Padre y madre, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu Reino.
Hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. Y
no nos dejes caer en tentación, mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder, y la
gloria. Por los siglos de los siglos. AMÉN
PALABRAS DE INSTITUCIÓN
LA COMUNIÓN Eres santo
Eres santo, eres Dios por toda la eternidad;
siempre tu muy cerca estas de tu pueblo, O Dios.
Te alabamos hoy aquí, te adoramos con fervor.
A tu iglesia en vino y pan nueva vida así le das.
Eres santo, eres Dios, Te sentimos. La creación te dé loor.
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, O Dios.
Yo soy el pan de vida
Yo soy el Pan de vida, el que viene a mí no tendrá hambre.
La que cree en mí no tendrá sed. Nadie viene a mí si Dios no le trae.
Refrán Yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré en el dia final.
El pan que yo daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.
Los que comen de este pan vivirán por siempre, viviran por siempre. Refrán
Si ustedes no comen de la carne del Hijo del Hombre,
Y no beben de su sangre, no beben de su sangre, no podrán tener mi vida. Refrán
Yo soy la resurrección Yo soy la vida.
Si ustedes creen en mí, aunque hayan muerto, vivirán por siempre. Refrán
Sí, Jesús, creemos que tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios,
Que has venido al mundo, para revelar a Dios. Refrán
ORACIÓN DESPUÉS DE LA COMUNIÓN
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
Fueron mujeres al sepulcro. La piedra, un ángel removió;
Les dijo: “Ha resucitado,” Y al irse les salió el Señor.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucitó de madrugada el domingo!//
La Magdalena fue llorando y cristo se el apareció;
Le pidió ir a sus hermanos con un encargo que le dio.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
A los discípulos de tarde, Cristo también se presentó.
Les enseñó las cinco heridas; dando la paz les saludó.
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
Tomás no estaba en ese encuentro; ‘y ver pidió para creer.
Cristo llegó y le dijo: “Mira, palpa mi herida y ten fe.”
\\!Aleluya, Cristo resucito de madrugada el domingo!//
HOY CELEBRAMOS CON GOZO
Hoy celebramos con gozo al Dios que nos da la vida,
quien con amor nos sustenta y provee de todo bien;
al que vino hasta nosotros y murió en una cruz,
que ha vencido a las tinieblas y a la muerte destruyó.
Refrán ¡Cristo vive! Celebremos y esperemos su gran don;
Santo Espíritu divino, ven a nuestro corazón.
Con júbilo celebremos a quien da la salvación
que da vida y esperanza y se goza en el perdón.
Con panderos y con palmas entonemos la canción,
celebremos que Dios vive dance nuestro corazón. Refrán
Hoy acudimos alegres a esta fiesta del amor;
el pueblo ha sido llamado a reunirse con su Dios.
En amor hoy celebramos esta santa comunión
estrechándonos las manos, somos pueblo del Creador. Refrán
Jesucristo Esperanza del Mundo
Un poco después del presente alegre el futuro proclama
la fuga total de la noche, la luz que ya el día derrama.
Estribillo: Venga tu reino, o Dios; la fiesta del mundo recrea
Y nuestra espera y dolor transforma en plena alegría. Ae,eia, ae,ae,ae.
Capullo de amor y esperanza, anuncio de flor que será,
Promesa de hallar tu presencia que vida abundante traerá. Estribillo
Nos diste, O Dios, la simiente, señal de que el reino es ahora;
Futuro que alumbra el presente, viniendo ya estás sin demora. Estribillo
Brota ya el retoño
Brota ya el retoño en el seco erial; la semilla en tierra vuelve a germinar;
nace a la luz de plena oscuridad.
Estribillo Vuelve ya el amor cual primavera en flor.
En oscura tumba vino a descansar; nunca imaginaron que iba a despertar.
¡Mas Él venció la muerte con poder! Estribillo
Bella la mañana cuando revivió Él que por tres días las tinieblas vió.
Vino Jesús la muerte a conquistar. Estribillo
Si en los corazones hay pena y dolor, basta su caricia para dar calor.
Perfecta paz tan sólo Él puede dar. Estribillo
INVOCACION Y BIENVENIDA
INVITACIÓN A LA CONFESIÓN
Uno/a 1 Hermanas y hermanos, oremos a Dios el Creador e invoquemos al Espíritu Santo, para ser perdonados y renovadas.
Breve pausa
ORACION DE CONFESION
Uno/a: Dios Padre y Madre, somos tus hijos e hijas a través de tu amor.
Todos/as: Sin embargo, no reconocemos a tu Hijo, nuestro hermano, cuando trabaja
en medio nuestro.
Uno/a: Buscamos a un fantasma con manos y pies heridos mientras que él cuida a
las personas quebrantadas y heridas que se encuentran en nuestras calles. Todos/as: Nos preguntamos si le reconoceremos aún si está en la puerta de nuestra
casa pidiendo algo de comer.
Uno/a: Oh Dios, abre nuestras mentes para que podamos entender las Escrituras.
Todos/as: Perdónanos y abre nuestros ojos para que podamos reconocer a Jesús y
unirnos a su trabajo. Amén.
ORACIÓN DE CONFESIÓN PERSONAL
Uno/a: Amén.
DECLARACIÓN DE PERDÓN
Uno/a: ¿Quién podrá hacerte daño si deseas de corazón hacer lo correcto? No les tengas
miedo. No te preocupes.
Todos/as: Porque Cristo murió para unirnos a Dios. Aleluya
CANTO DE ADORACION Aleluya de Honduras
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, alabemos a Jesus.
LECTURAS BIBLICAS
Lector/a: La lectura viene del Libro de Los Hechos de los Apostoles, capítulo 2, versículos del 32-37. Escuchen por la Palabra de Dios a cada uno.
El Peregrino de Emaús
¿Qué venías conversando? me dijiste buen amigo,
y me detuve asombrado a la vera del camino.
¿No sabes lo que ha pasado allá en Jerusalén? ¿De Jesús de Nazaret a quien clavaron en Cruz?
Por eso me vuelvo triste a mi aldea de Emaús.
Refrán Por la calzada de Emaús un peregrino iba conmigo.
No lo conocí al caminar; ahora sí, en la fracción del pan.
Van tres días que se ha muerto y se acaba mi esperanza.
Dicen que algunas mujeres al sepulcro fueron de alba;
Pedro, Juan y algunos otros, hoy también allá buscaron.
Más se acaba mi confianza, no encontraron a Jesús:
Por eso me vuelvo triste a mi aldea de Emaús. Refrán
Oh, tardíos corazones que ignoráis a los profetas.
En la ley ya está anunciado que el Mesías padeciera
y por llegar a su gloria eligiera la aflicción.
En la tarde de aquel día yo sentí que por Jesús
nuestro corazón ardía a la vista de Emaús. Refrán
Hizo señas de seguir más allá de nuestra aldea;
y la luz del sol poniente parecía que muriera.
Quédate forastero, ponte a la mesa y bendice.
Y al destello de su luz, en la bendición del Pan,
mis ojos reconocieron al amigo de Emaús. Refrán
MENSAJE El Camino a Emaus Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder
CANTO DE COMPROMISO Su nombre es Jesús
Su nombre es Jesús y pasa hambre, y clama por la boca del hambriento;
y muchos que lo ven pasan de largo, acaso por llegar temprano al templo.
Su nombre es Jesús y sed soporta, y está en quién de justicia va sediento;
y muchos que lo ven pasan de largo, a veces ocupados con sus rezos.
Estribillo: Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús.
Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús.
Su nombre es Jesús y está desnudo, la ausencia del amor hiela sus huesos;
y muchos que lo ven pasan de largo, seguros y al calor de su dinero.
Su nombre es Jesús y enfermo vive, y su agonía es la del enfermo;
y muchos que lo ven no hacen caso, tal vez no frecuentaba mucho el templo.
Estribillo //Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús//
Su nombre es Jesús y está en la cárcel, está en la sociedad de cada preso;
y nadie lo visita y hasta dicen: “Tal vez no era de los nuestros.”
Su nombre es Jesús, el que sed tiene; él pide por la boca del hambriento;
está preso, está enfermo, está desnudo, pero él nos va a juzgar por todo eso.
Estribillo //Con nosotros está y no le conocemos, con nosotros está su nombre es Jesús//
ORACIONES DEL PUEBLO
NOTICIAS DEL PUEBLO
OFRENDA Cuando el pobre nada tiene
Cuando el pobre nada tiene y aún reparte, cuando alguien pasa sed y agua nos da,
cuando el débil a su hermano fortalece.
Estribillo: Va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar,
va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar.
Cuando alguien sufre y logra su consuelo, cuando espera y no se cansa de esperar,
cuando amamos aunque el odio lo rodee. Estribillo:
Cuando crece la alegría y nos inunda, cuando dicen nuestros labios la verdad,
cuando amamos el sentir de los sencillos. Estribillo:
Cuando abunda el bien y llena hogares, cuando alguien donde hay guerra pone paz,
cuando ‘hermano’ le llamamos al extraño. Estribillo:
INVITACIÓN A LA MESA
ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS
Uno/a: Dios esté con ustedes Todos/as: Y con tu espíritu.
Uno/a: Levanten sus corazones. Todos/as: Los levantamos a Dios.
Uno/a: Demos gracias a Dios Todos/as: Es justo y necesario darle gracias y alabanza.
SANTO Santo
Uno/a: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Todos/as: Santo, santo, santo Dios de gloria y poder.
Uno/a: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Todos/as: Cielos y tierra proclaman tu gloria.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Uno/a: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Todos/as: Bendito aquel que viene en el nombre de Dios.
Uno/a: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
Todos/as: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna en los cielos.
PADRE/MADRE NUESTRO
Nuestro Padre y madre, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu Reino.
Hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. Y
no nos dejes caer en tentación, mas líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, el poder, y la
gloria. Por los siglos de los siglos. AMÉN
PALABRAS DE INSTITUCIÓN
LA COMUNIÓN Eres santo
Eres santo, eres Dios por toda la eternidad;
siempre tu muy cerca estas de tu pueblo, O Dios.
Te alabamos hoy aquí, te adoramos con fervor.
A tu iglesia en vino y pan nueva vida así le das.
Eres santo, eres Dios, Te sentimos. La creación te dé loor.
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, aleluya, O Dios.
Yo soy el pan de vida
Yo soy el Pan de vida, el que viene a mí no tendrá hambre.
La que cree en mí no tendrá sed. Nadie viene a mí si Dios no le trae.
Refrán Yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré, yo le resucitaré en el dia final.
El pan que yo daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.
Los que comen de este pan vivirán por siempre, viviran por siempre. Refrán
Si ustedes no comen de la carne del Hijo del Hombre,
Y no beben de su sangre, no beben de su sangre, no podrán tener mi vida. Refrán
Yo soy la resurrección Yo soy la vida.
Si ustedes creen en mí, aunque hayan muerto, vivirán por siempre. Refrán
Sí, Jesús, creemos que tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios,
Que has venido al mundo, para revelar a Dios. Refrán
ORACIÓN DESPUÉS DE LA COMUNIÓN
April 22, 2009 + “The Earth Is The Lord’s” Genesis 1:1, 27-30; Luke 19:11-27 + Hayward Fong
Today has been designated as “Earth Day.” The first Earth Day took place April 22, 1970, thirty nine years ago. In 1970 the world’s human population was just under 3.7 billion. It had taken nearly 2,000 years to plump that number up from a mere 200 million that populated the earth in Biblical times. In merely 39 years the 3.7 billion has been inflated by another 3 billion.
In 1970, gas was 34 cents a gallon and few people pondered what the lead in it was doing to the environment, except those in the DuPont board room which had covered up lead’s downside for decades. Our oceans were still teeming with fish, and they weren’t anywhere near full of mercury yet. Delaware-sized chunks of Arctic and Antarctic ice shelf weren’t yet crumbling into the sea.
Back then, the weather extremes, species die-offs and oceanic dead zones of today were still within realms of conjecture between science and science fiction. Some events have come to pass that even the writers of science fiction could not have imagined, such as in 2004, when Australia’s epic drought drove thirst-crazed kangaroos
into the urban areas where they attacked humans.
In 1970, our dichotomy regarding the earth as both our oyster and our toilet hadn’t taken so obvious a toll on the planet, nothing like what is happening now. But it was enough to get people thinking and organizing. Earth Day was a huge event in which 20 million Americans took part…from teachers taking school children to tide pools to experience touching sea creatures to participants fostering substantive legislative, scientific and academic change.
Earth Day has since gone global, observed in 174 languages. But here at home it slowly demonstrated our political inertia, particularly over the past eight years of environmental rollback. But there is hope with the change of administration in the White House. After eight years of anti-environmental policies, changes have already been made at the Environmental Protection Agency under new leadership.
It is ironic that the Agency owes it existence to the first Earth Day. President Nixon, being politically astute, saw how he could bolster falling public support of his administration by giving lip service to what he saw represented by the 20 million people that first Earth Day. By combining various elements of existing cabinet departments, tying a bow around it, and calling it the Environmental Protection Agency, he gave away nothing and gained support from both sides of the Congressional aisle but most importantly outflanked his chief rivals in both political parties for re-election in 1972.
When my children were growing up, some of their favorite books were those written by Dr. Suess. People think of Dr. Suess as a writer of children’s books, which he was. But he was a political writer. Whether we realize it or not, his stories have imbedded political ideas in the brains of children and adults alike. One such book is Dr. Suess’s, The Lorax, based on environmental issues. He wanted people to see and understand what happens if the environment exploited.
The Lorax was a typical Dr. Suess creature who lived in the Truffula trees, and claimed to speak for them, to be their advocate, their voice in the human world for living creatures that had no voice. The main character, the narrator of this story, is a pioneer who moves around the land in hopes of striking it rich. He tells this tale to a young boy after all the trees in the land have been cut down. He describes, in almost a confessional way, his greed in cutting down the trees so that they could be processed into just about anything and everything. The richer he gets, the greedier he becomes. When the Lorax comes around to try to put a stop to the destruction of the trees and the animals that occupy them, this main character ignores his wishes and builds factories that pollute the area killing off the remaining animals. In Dr. Suess fashion, the narrator invents all sorts of fantastic machines to chop down the trees at an amazing rate and chuck them into his factories.
The narrator continually ignores the pleas of the Lorax. Only at the end does he realize that all the trees are gone. Not only has he lost in a strictly economic sense, but everyone has lost the trees. The Lorax, having predicted this outcome forlornly lifts himself into the air and goes to another land. The narrator ends his tale by pointing to a collection of stones in the ground. The stones bear a single word “unless.” He gives the boy who had been hearing the story the last sapling. He urges the boy, in an act of ecological redemption, to plant the tree and rejuvenate the trees. Perhaps then the Lorax will return.
In this simple straight forward, but emotionally powerful story the Lorax is very much like the Old Testament prophets. He is able to see the outcome of events, not because he is omnipotent, but because of his compassion and wisdom for all life. Thus he can proclaim with some authority that “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees.” He almost sounds like “Thus saith the Lord.” The purpose of a prophet, the ones in the Bible, our childhood stories, or even our real life, is to wake us up. This also accounts for their unpopularity. Prophets have a popularity rating perhaps ahead of the Wall Street bankers and corporate America who have caused our world economic crisis. No one likes to be reminded of the harsh reality that they have successfully been denying. In the story, the Lorax is continually ignored by the narrator with catastrophic results. We need prophets like the Lorax. With the global and local environmental degradation nearing the point of no return, we need more forceful modern day prophets to make our elected leaders mindful of what is happening.
The definition of mindfulness is to wake up to the reality of the world as it is and not the way we wish it to be or hope that it would be. In some ways those prophetic writings of ancient Judaism are a form of mindfulness. They were saying to the people, “Pay attention to the way you are living. There can be severe long term consequences to your actions.” This is the message of the Lorax. That is what the Lorax’s stones warn us “unless.”
So often we hear the warnings and understand the problem of global warming and deforestation and pollution and so forth. However inspired or depressed we may be after hearing the words of the prophets we need to translate that feeling into action. Good intentions and regret do little to close the hole in the ozone layer.
Practice mindfulness by paying attention and being aware of the world around us, educate yourself to the issues, let this knowledge penetrate who we are as people, and really focus in increasing compassion and concern for Mother Earth. When we move beyond our ideas and thoughts and into our feelings and passions for how we want the world to be, then we have bridged an important gap in healing the world. It is a spiritual gap that is as wide as heaven and earth itself, but as important as any other for the soul.
Dr, Suess choice of the name LORAX has some interesting religious connotations. Let us break the word down to the letters AO, RX, and L. The AO in the Greek is Alpha and Omega, could symbolize Christ who once said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” The symbol RX commonly means prescription as we know it today. But if you look at the Greek you will find that R is Rho and X is Chi. The first two letters in Christos , or Christ are Chi and Rho, often used in Christian symbols. The letter L is Greek for Lambda, another representation of Christ since in the Greek alphabet Lambda is associated with a higher level.
The Bible tells us that we have a Creator God, that He does care about the environment, and shows us what our responsibilities toward nature and family are from His point of view. We do not own the earth. The earth is God’s. We are merely stewards, called to look after and take care of that which is His. Humanity’s job was - and is - to manage what God has entrusted to our care. Amen.
PRAYER: O God, we thank you for this earth-our home, for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and the green grass.
We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn fruit, and rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.
Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thorn bush is aflame with your glory.
Amen.
In 1970, gas was 34 cents a gallon and few people pondered what the lead in it was doing to the environment, except those in the DuPont board room which had covered up lead’s downside for decades. Our oceans were still teeming with fish, and they weren’t anywhere near full of mercury yet. Delaware-sized chunks of Arctic and Antarctic ice shelf weren’t yet crumbling into the sea.
Back then, the weather extremes, species die-offs and oceanic dead zones of today were still within realms of conjecture between science and science fiction. Some events have come to pass that even the writers of science fiction could not have imagined, such as in 2004, when Australia’s epic drought drove thirst-crazed kangaroos
into the urban areas where they attacked humans.
In 1970, our dichotomy regarding the earth as both our oyster and our toilet hadn’t taken so obvious a toll on the planet, nothing like what is happening now. But it was enough to get people thinking and organizing. Earth Day was a huge event in which 20 million Americans took part…from teachers taking school children to tide pools to experience touching sea creatures to participants fostering substantive legislative, scientific and academic change.
Earth Day has since gone global, observed in 174 languages. But here at home it slowly demonstrated our political inertia, particularly over the past eight years of environmental rollback. But there is hope with the change of administration in the White House. After eight years of anti-environmental policies, changes have already been made at the Environmental Protection Agency under new leadership.
It is ironic that the Agency owes it existence to the first Earth Day. President Nixon, being politically astute, saw how he could bolster falling public support of his administration by giving lip service to what he saw represented by the 20 million people that first Earth Day. By combining various elements of existing cabinet departments, tying a bow around it, and calling it the Environmental Protection Agency, he gave away nothing and gained support from both sides of the Congressional aisle but most importantly outflanked his chief rivals in both political parties for re-election in 1972.
When my children were growing up, some of their favorite books were those written by Dr. Suess. People think of Dr. Suess as a writer of children’s books, which he was. But he was a political writer. Whether we realize it or not, his stories have imbedded political ideas in the brains of children and adults alike. One such book is Dr. Suess’s, The Lorax, based on environmental issues. He wanted people to see and understand what happens if the environment exploited.
The Lorax was a typical Dr. Suess creature who lived in the Truffula trees, and claimed to speak for them, to be their advocate, their voice in the human world for living creatures that had no voice. The main character, the narrator of this story, is a pioneer who moves around the land in hopes of striking it rich. He tells this tale to a young boy after all the trees in the land have been cut down. He describes, in almost a confessional way, his greed in cutting down the trees so that they could be processed into just about anything and everything. The richer he gets, the greedier he becomes. When the Lorax comes around to try to put a stop to the destruction of the trees and the animals that occupy them, this main character ignores his wishes and builds factories that pollute the area killing off the remaining animals. In Dr. Suess fashion, the narrator invents all sorts of fantastic machines to chop down the trees at an amazing rate and chuck them into his factories.
The narrator continually ignores the pleas of the Lorax. Only at the end does he realize that all the trees are gone. Not only has he lost in a strictly economic sense, but everyone has lost the trees. The Lorax, having predicted this outcome forlornly lifts himself into the air and goes to another land. The narrator ends his tale by pointing to a collection of stones in the ground. The stones bear a single word “unless.” He gives the boy who had been hearing the story the last sapling. He urges the boy, in an act of ecological redemption, to plant the tree and rejuvenate the trees. Perhaps then the Lorax will return.
In this simple straight forward, but emotionally powerful story the Lorax is very much like the Old Testament prophets. He is able to see the outcome of events, not because he is omnipotent, but because of his compassion and wisdom for all life. Thus he can proclaim with some authority that “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees.” He almost sounds like “Thus saith the Lord.” The purpose of a prophet, the ones in the Bible, our childhood stories, or even our real life, is to wake us up. This also accounts for their unpopularity. Prophets have a popularity rating perhaps ahead of the Wall Street bankers and corporate America who have caused our world economic crisis. No one likes to be reminded of the harsh reality that they have successfully been denying. In the story, the Lorax is continually ignored by the narrator with catastrophic results. We need prophets like the Lorax. With the global and local environmental degradation nearing the point of no return, we need more forceful modern day prophets to make our elected leaders mindful of what is happening.
The definition of mindfulness is to wake up to the reality of the world as it is and not the way we wish it to be or hope that it would be. In some ways those prophetic writings of ancient Judaism are a form of mindfulness. They were saying to the people, “Pay attention to the way you are living. There can be severe long term consequences to your actions.” This is the message of the Lorax. That is what the Lorax’s stones warn us “unless.”
So often we hear the warnings and understand the problem of global warming and deforestation and pollution and so forth. However inspired or depressed we may be after hearing the words of the prophets we need to translate that feeling into action. Good intentions and regret do little to close the hole in the ozone layer.
Practice mindfulness by paying attention and being aware of the world around us, educate yourself to the issues, let this knowledge penetrate who we are as people, and really focus in increasing compassion and concern for Mother Earth. When we move beyond our ideas and thoughts and into our feelings and passions for how we want the world to be, then we have bridged an important gap in healing the world. It is a spiritual gap that is as wide as heaven and earth itself, but as important as any other for the soul.
Dr, Suess choice of the name LORAX has some interesting religious connotations. Let us break the word down to the letters AO, RX, and L. The AO in the Greek is Alpha and Omega, could symbolize Christ who once said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” The symbol RX commonly means prescription as we know it today. But if you look at the Greek you will find that R is Rho and X is Chi. The first two letters in Christos , or Christ are Chi and Rho, often used in Christian symbols. The letter L is Greek for Lambda, another representation of Christ since in the Greek alphabet Lambda is associated with a higher level.
The Bible tells us that we have a Creator God, that He does care about the environment, and shows us what our responsibilities toward nature and family are from His point of view. We do not own the earth. The earth is God’s. We are merely stewards, called to look after and take care of that which is His. Humanity’s job was - and is - to manage what God has entrusted to our care. Amen.
PRAYER: O God, we thank you for this earth-our home, for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and the green grass.
We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn fruit, and rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.
Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thorn bush is aflame with your glory.
Amen.
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