Nuestra Familia...2014

Less Episcopalians

The numbers are in with all sorts of statistics about our beloved church in the last year.  No numbers can tell the whole story of  our life together but, they are telling. Here is a thoughtful blog post examining this very issue that, perhapsm will lead us beyond denial to prayer , reflection and action.  Click on link below for full article.  

Less Episcopalians...

Blessings

Seraph

The World Ends...Again!

Por Que Señor? Una Reflexion En Un Momento de Luto.

Misusing Scripture....

It is amazing and sad how, using Scripture irreverently, mockingly, out of context and lightly is in vogue, as people take one side or another in the political and social issues of the day. That professing Christians would assent to that or participate in the misuse of what is sacred to our faith is really quite disappointing!This paraphrase of a comment at the Huff Post makes an interesting point. Good to keep in mind as the insanity of this political season unfolds!

Blessings

 Seraph

Meditacion de Cuaresma- "Fijate"...Marcos 1:915

Sencillas Lecciones de los Sabios

Por Sus Heridas, Somos Sanados?

Recuerdos y Lecciones en la Iglesia del Señor...

Mis primeros recuerdos de la Iglesia son de la parroquia de la Asunción en Baracoa, un pequeño pueblo de Cuba. No recuerdo los detalles de la fe que practicaba mi familia, pero si las escenas. La caminata cada domingo a la plaza donde estaba la Iglesia, el olor de incienso, las procesiones de Semana Santa, la velada y Misa de navidad. En aquel entonces, las damas usaban el velo y mi madre, a mis ojos, siempre parecía una artista con su mantilla española. Recuerdo mi primera comunión, una ceremonia solemne y preciosa. También, la palmada en la cara que me diera el Arzobispo de Santiago cuando a los once años fui confirmado en la Iglesia Católica.

 
Con nuestra mudada a los Estados Unidos, cambio también la Iglesia donde mi familia asistía. En un mundo donde solo se hablaba inglés en la Misión Bautista encontramos el compañerismo de otros emigrantes, el poder hablar en español, y para mis hermanas y yo, los comienzos de nuestra fe. Allí se nos habló por primera vez de la necesidad de aceptar a Jesucristo, de nacer otra vez, de leer y obedecer la Biblia que era palabra de Dios. Crecimos en un ambiente saludable, aprendiendo de nuestra fe en la escuela dominical, cantábamos en el coro, hicimos amistades en el pequeño grupo de jóvenes. Por primera vez asistimos a campamentos de verano y retiros de jóvenes donde empezamos a vivir más intensamente la fe.  Fue durante este tiempo en mi vida que conocí a Gigi, quien ha sido mi esposa y compañera por los últimos 30 años.  Tengo buenas experiencias de mi niñez y juventud en la Iglesia Bautista, sin embargo con los tiempos vienen también los cambios.

 
El movimiento carismático o de renovación que en ese tiempo comenzaba a moverse entre los cristianos, también llego a nuestra familia dando un nuevo fervor a nuestra fe. Hubo muchos dentro de la comunidad Bautista que vieron esas experiencias no tanto del Espíritu sino más bien de las emociones o hasta del mismo demonio pero en nuestro círculo familiar fueron de bendición y reconciliación. En aquel entonces las controversias entre nosotros eran acerca de si se podía alabar a Dios con panderetas, o levantando las manos, que era eso de hablar en lenguas, habría una tribulación, o si la salvación se perdía o no. Ahora de pensarlo me da algo de risa, como nos complicábamos la vida con esas cosas!

Mi primera experiencia en una comunidad de fe diferente a la de mi familia de origen fue en la Republica Dominicana. Nos tocó vivir en este hermoso país por cinco años durante los cuales yo termine mis estudios de medicina y nació nuestro primer hijo. Llegar a un país nuevo nunca es fácil pero recibimos una hermosa acogida en la Iglesia que nos quedaba más cercana, la Asamblea de Dios el Calvario. No era igual a otras que habíamos asistido pero el amor de los hermanos y su acogida nos hizo sentir a gusto. Todavía tenemos hermosas amistades de aquellos tiempos y han sido tan valiosas las experiencias que tuvimos en la oración y alabanza y la vida de fe de esa comunidad.

Sin embargo, fue en los patios y salones de la escuela de medicina donde pudimos vivir una variedad más completa de la fe.  Allí entre estudiantes bautistas, metodistas, menonitas, adventistas, pentecostales de toda clase, uno que otro luterano, carismáticos, evangélicos nacionales y miembros de varias comunidades de la renovación Católica carismática,  descubrimos una gran verdad acerca de la Iglesia de Cristo! A pesar de  la gran verdad escrita por el Apostol Pablo recordandonos que; " hay un solo Dios , un solo Señor, una sola fe..." , a pesar de que nos une el amor de Dios, nos une Jesucristo y su Espíritu, son muchos los puntos de vista, ideas y preferencias entre los cristianos.

Nos reuníamos a orar todos los jueves en una que otra aula vacía o debajo de un árbol en los campos de la universidad. Cada semana variaba quien traía la meditación y con guitarras o solo a voces se alababa al Señor. Orábamos los unos por los otros y  nos alentábamos a la fidelidad a Dios. Sin embargo cada cual fiel en su Iglesia local, a pesar de que a veces nos visitábamos o asistíamos juntos a conciertos, cruzadas u otros eventos. Fue para mí una experiencia formativa de mucha enseñanza. Después de aquí no pude ver a la Iglesia más solo en mi congregación local o aun la denominación a que pertenecía. Ni tampoco pude aferrarme a una teología particular! Había descubierto una diversidad de pensamientos entre los creyentes en ese entonces y a través de la historia! Que riqueza tan maravillosa la de la Iglesia del Señor.
 

Fue natural para mi sentir una atracción hacia el Anglicanismo y la Iglesia Episcopal después de terminar mis estudios de medicina. Se lo atribuyo al Señor, que nos conoce a todos muy bien y sabe donde situar mejor a sus hijos! Llevo ya más de 20 años primero como laico, luego diacono y sacerdote en esta Iglesia y han sido los mejores de mi vida. No digo esto porque sea una comunidad perfecta, tal cosa no existe! Yo pudiera muy bien enumerar los defectos de la Iglesia Episcopal, pero sus virtudes, para mí, han sido de gran bendición!
   

Lo comprehensivo de la tradición Anglicana, la amplitud en su culto, la generosidad en su metodo teologico y lo acogedor de su vision pastoral, no me han forzado ni a negar ninguna de mis experiencias a lo largo del camino, ni a menospreciar la verdad y la belleza en otras comunidades de fe! Me ha encantado su lema para la unidad entre los hermanos; "...en las cosas esenciales unidad, en las no esenciales libertad, en todo caso amor!.."  De mucho beneficio y bendición me han servido estas palabras a través de los años!

En este tiempo de mi vida, también se me hace cada vez más claro la realidad de que la Iglesia de Cristo no se limita a mi congregación, mi denominación, mi grupo favorito ni apóstol del momento! No se limita a la alabanza que prefiero, ni la teología que acojo, ni al estilo del culto que me agrada más! Comprende a todos los creyentes, aquí y allá en la presencia del Señor que han amado a Dios y le han servido en muchas épocas, congregaciones, movimientos y denominaciones. Son personas falibles, que acertaron en algunas cosas y fallaron en otras, con distintas visiones de lo que esencial para la fe, al igual que tú y yo! Son aquellos que, con la ayuda del Espíritu viven estas  vidas a que hemos sido llamados, a ser hijos de Dios! 

En esta semana de unidad cristiana, recuerda que todos somos hijos del mismo Dios, que es Jesucristo el que murio por todos, que el mismo Espiritu de Dios habita en nosotros, que somos ramas de un mismo tronco, miembros de un mismo cuerpo. Ora por tus hermanos conocidos y desconocidos, proponte no juzgar a aquellos que adoran o entienden las cosas diferentes a ti,  y quizás proponte abrir tus ojos a otras realidades en la familia de la fe. 

Confieso que de vez en cuando me gusta visitar a otros hermanos y compartir su alabanza comunitaria, aunque prefiera la de mi propia congregacion! No hay mejor manera de amar a tu hermano que conociendole mejor.

Muchas bendiciones

Serafin

Lessons from the Magi- (Matthew 2:1-12)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler , who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

This is one of my favorite Bible stories, how wise men from the East came to bring gifts to the Christ child.  We have all read and heard this story since childhood yet, meditating upon it at the beginning of this new year, several helpful lessons  come to mind . Here are some I hope to apply in my daily life:

1. Keep Your Eyes Open

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." 

Jawaharlal Nehru

The wise men had their eyes open! They looked at the sky and saw a star rising which intrigued them, and was the catalyst for their journey! Often we live life oblivious to the things around us. In our busyness we miss the beauty of a sunrise, the starlit sky, the smile of a child, expressions of sorrow or joy in those we share our lives with, the signs that God surrounds us with to make us aware of his presence and care! Jesus speaking to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22 g said these solemn words;   "anoint your eyes with salve, that you  may see." , a clear indication they were blind to what was clear for all to see! This year, keep your eyes open, take a moment to look around, to notice! Ask God to help you see in every circumstance what he intends to show you.

2    2. Mind the Word                                                                                                                    

This story illustrates something which is very true in our life! We need the guidance and light which only the Word of God can give. Christians speak of Scripture as God’s written word, yet often we fail to go to it for the direction we need. 

The wise men, followed a star to where it would take them, they were able to ascertain it would lead them to a king! However it was the words of the prophet Micah which led them to the exact place where the child would be born. We too are in a journey and though we may have a sense of our direction, we need the clarity and the guidance of the word of God. We need to be reminded of the promises, the blessings, the admonitions it contains for our benefit and wisdom.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” ( Psalm 119:105), “The words I speak are Spirit and Life” ( John 6:63).

3    3. Act on What You Know           

I have always wondered how it was that people from afar, a different religion and culture traveled thousands of miles despite limited knowledge to seek a king, whereas those who were waiting for his birth, and had intimate knowledge of the prophecies stood idly. Sometimes we take for granted what we have! Often we fail to act on what we know, we do not do the things we know to be right, we are silent when we have to speak, are passive when we are called to action in a particular area of life!

 “A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle…The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention..."

Khalil Gibran

There is a lot we do not know or understand about the world, about God, about ourselves, but there are some things we do know!  Let’s put that knowledge, that mustard seed of faith into action and see where it will lead us in this New Year! The magi acted on what they knew, and their journey led them to new experiences and understanding of God.                       

4    4. Make Worship a Priority

After a long and perilous travels, one would have thought that these men from the East, seekers of wisdom, students of the stars would have been full of questions for Joseph and Mary, yet it is worship, homage to the Christ child that occupies their attention. Worship was the priority in this story, as they knelt and offered the gifts they brought! 

Sometimes our religion becomes something of custom, tradition, social interaction. We come together as the temple of God’s spirit, are in his presence as he moves among us, come to the Table where Christ offers himself to us and…we fail to  worship! Jesus said, the Father is looking for “worshipers who will do so in spirit and truth”. Our liturgy reminds us to praise him with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven” who sing their unending hymn of praise. 

Make worship a priority in your life! In your private devotions, when you gather for prayer or Eucharist, remember the Magi and their lesson…they came to Bethlehem to worship and bring gifts.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Blessings

Seraph

Donde esta nuestro corazon?

Save Our Children!!!

I was just graduating from high school when Anita Bryant became a household word in Florida! The one time beauty queen, celebrity and devout member of Northeast Baptist Church became the icon of opposition to a January 18, 1977 law that would outlaw discrimination against homosexuals in employment, housing, and public services in Dade County, Florida.

Under the banner of "Save Our Children", supposedly from exposure to immorality and homosexual recruitment, Anita and others, led a campaign that presented gays as a veritable danger to society. A special election in June of 1978 saw, a very heavy turnout in Dade county, an overwhelming defeat of the ordinance, and a setback to equal treatment under the law for gays and lesbians in our state. 

I was at home, with family visiting from Miami, when the results were announced! Most rejoiced, others heard the results with concern.  It is reported that Anita danced a jig when she heard the results of her efforts and said:

 "All America and all the world will hear what the people have said, and with God's continued help, we will prevail in our fight to repeal similar laws throughout the nation which attempt to legitimize a life style that is both perverse and dangerous".

For me, the elation of some over such victory, seemed totally wrong then, even as it does now! 

How was it a victory for children or society to allow the discrimination of people to exist? Why would God be on the side of letting people be at the mercy of the prejudices of others? Wasn't Jesus always on the side of those society deemed less worthy? How was this repeal of fundamental protections Christian in any sense of the word? 

Time has shown that these ideas, along with their misrepresentation of God, have not prevailed! Today, as gay couples are granted the right to civil marriage in the state of Florida, I welcome it with a sense of peace.

"Save the Children" , the slogan so misused years ago, perhaps better characterizes the days ahead! 

I look forward to a future where all children are saved, from hatred, discrimination, exclusion, and where religion is not used as a tool to oppress and demonize persons created in the image of God!

Blessings

Seraph

Biblical Marriage or Christian Marriage?

Biblical marriage? Of What sort? ...Really?

Not this straw man again!  It seems like in the wake of a move towards marriage equality,  there is yet another attempt to misuse Scripture to obscure what most Christians mean when they speak about the sacrament of marriage!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-g-bird/biblical-marriage_b_6018836.html

The article linked above, from Jennnifer G. Bird at the Huffington Post is worth reading! Not because it will enlighten us about what the sacrament of marriage is for Christians, but because of the way it attempts complicate and obscure something that,  for 21 st century Christians, is pretty obvious!

The author, a progressive theologian, succinctly comments on a number of Bible passages showing the relationship patterns of people described in the Bible! She apparently does this in an effort to prove what is obvious...many were dysfunctional! Christians are not surprised about this, we read our Bibles!

What we do not believe , and do not claim, is that they present a pattern to imitate! On marriage and its meaning, modern day Christians defer to Jesus! Though it does not appear that he ever married, he did  state clearly his thoughts on the matter in the context of speaking about divorce:           

Matthew 19:4-5

"Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'for this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh ! "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate..." .

This post is by no means a judgement on same gender relationships nor the equal access to civil marriage for all couples! I fully support that!!!! It is also not meant to comment on the too often found reality of divorce! It is for the sake of charity and mutual understanding that we should state the views of others with clarity, even if we disagree on how they apply their convictions in the public arena. I do not feel people on both sides of this conversation do this with any consistency.

Modern societies governed by secular principles can and should adapt the definition of civil marriage as is appropriate for the times! Communities of faith should prayerfully decide how to include and bless loving relationships as is congruent with their faith traditions!

However, it is about time folks  STOP misdefining what Christians MEAN when they speak of Biblical marriage.....!

Just in case you missed it... they mean this!  Any questions?

Blessings!

Seraph