Thanksgiving Sunday

11/24/19

Thanksgiving service

Nestled in the shadows of 66th Street, Good Shepherd-Faith Church is the last non-Lincoln Center or Juilliard building on the block. On land originally bought from the Park Presbyterian Church for $1, the church is a center of faith and culture. And for decades has carried on a spirited adventure in multicultural faith practice by conducting worship services in English at 10 AM and Korean at noon. Communion is celebrated in a joint bilingual service on the first Sunday of every month at 11. Through ups and downs over the years, a  stalwart community has kept the adventure going and today holds another annual tradition, a joint service of Thanksgiving followed by a meal that will find everything from turkey to kimchi on the table. 

The service will include long term black, white and Korean members ...and me as guest preacher. Internationally touring operatic tenor- and former NFL defensive end- Tao Papua will sing with the joint choir

Joint choir

and solo on a stirring Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Tao’s solo

Some prayers and readings will be in both languages simultaneously and some translated sequentially. My friend Chris Kim will translate my prayers and sermon into Korean- a first for me!

Elder Chris Kim

  And afterwards my friend Elder John Gingrich will present me with a farewell photo of Mariano Rivera which looks up to our seats...as we share a satisfying fellowship meal..

..Here is my sermon, or “prompting”...as they say here....

So here we are. It's the Sunday before Thanksgiving. And as always, there is turmoil around us. We've got the daily drama of the impeachment hearings. The big Democrat debate Wednesday night. There's exciting things happening all over the world...there's been uprisings in Chile, China, (Hong Kong), Bolivia, Baghdad and Beirut....and yesterday our friends at South Side Presbyterian Church in Tucson celebrated the fact that Scott Warren was found innocent on all charges after being arrested for giving water to people in the desert. The jury ruled that humanitarian aid is never illegal. 

And here we are at the weekend right before Thanksgiving. At our Presbytery Council meeting last week, the question was asked, what's your favorite part of the holiday season? A substantial number of our members answered "Thanksgiving."  I know that's true for me. For reasons too many to go into, Christmas always brought a degree of anxiety for me. (Maybe I was just worried about where I wound up on Santa's list..) But Thanksgiving...the warmth of gathered family, just to be together with no other agenda...and my favorite menu of the year. Something about turkey and stuffing and gravy just makes me happy...

(One year when I knew I was going to a vegetarian Thanksgiving, I seriously considered getting in line at First Corinthian Baptist next door...just for the turkey...)

I was in Central America again recently and recalled the year nuns in El Salvador made us an "American" thanksgiving....and in Salvador I met with a group of returned deportees ...many who had lived in the US for 20 years or more...the ministry working with them decided what they needed, wanted most was an 'American Thanksgiving"...

My prayer is that most of us can avoid political discussions at our tables...

Which brings me to..it's Christ the King Sunday...(or Reign of Christ)..it's the crowning moment of the church year, one of those passage Sundays that lead us from one liturgical season to the next, from the long green season of "Ordinary time" to the penitential purple of Advent. One of the rare "holy days" that celebrate an idea, or a theological affirmation, not a moment in Jesus or the church's life...

In fact, it's not that old a holy day.  Less than a century. In a time not unlike ours, Pope Pius XI, concerned with the rise of fascism and secularism, sent out an encyclical that said:

"When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony."

I'm going to repeat that last part..".real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony."  Sounds nice, doesn't it?

Our gospel lesson is actually Zechariah's blessing of his son John, the one we know as John the Baptist.  Announcing the already accomplished victory of a savior not yet born!

That's so fitting for where we are today...we are beginning to prepare for the journey to the celebration of the coming of a savior who is already here...

That's the thing about this Christian journey...there's always this "...already and not yet..." thing going on. We await Christ's final coming, final "triumph,"  while celebrating the fact that the victory has already been won. 

I always remember the radiant smile of archbishop Desmond Tutu, even in the darkest days of apartheid. He would smile and say, "We have already won...the other side just hasn't realized it yet.."

Likewise, in the midst of our own context, in the midst of however you want to define our day, whatever issues you want to lift up, in the midst of everything, we are called upon to proclaim the victory already won..

This raises for me two questions I'd like to leave you with (thanks to Jill Duffield of the Presbyterian Outlook..)

First, How do we in the church capitulate to worldly power(s) rather than to God's?  I learned in Chile that in 1973, part of the Presbyterian Church believed that the church leadership was actually cooperating with the dictator..so they left the Presbyterian Church of Chile and created the Presbyterian Church in Chile...one word can mean a lot..like in the world, not of the world..

(Like our own church split over slavery...)

Second...If you honestly assess your life, what has power over you? How might your life look different if Christ was truly in charge?

I will leave you to ponder that.

There is much to be thankful for. May your day be one of gratitude, peace and joy. May this church be place of respite during the busyness of the season to come. 

Jesus reigns.

Amen

Ready for worship...

First Reading Jeremiah 23:1-6

1Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. 3Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.

5The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."

Gospel Luke 1:68-79

68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Second Reading Colossians 1:11-20

11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

"Waking in Cuba" a review

11/20

"Waking in Havana: A memoir of AIDS and Healing in Cuba" by Elena Schwolsky is a good read. This is an important book for at least three reasons.  First, it is a comprehensive comparison of how two radically different cultures and systems responded to the early days of the AIDS crisis. Secondly, Ms. Schwolsky's 48 years of life experience in Cuba has given her a keenly observed understanding  of what this neighbor so near, and yet so misunderstood, is like. Finally, her personal story is a valuable memoir of one who made a commitment and stuck with it throughout her life. A story those of us of a particular generation can understand and those who are younger can learn from. (There is a need for so many more of these stories..)

Elena Schwolsky comes to the study of AIDS work with a depth of both personal and professional experience having lived with her husband from its onset to his death while working in the field of pediatric AIDS. She comes to Cuba with both a passion and an open minded critical analysis. Her helping us to understand Cuba's initial response of the controversial (and highly criticized) quarantine and sanatoriums in its social context is very helpful. She  reminds us of the way our own society "quarantined" and marginalized AIDS patients in the early years. Seeing the sanatoriums evolve into voluntary residences which many choose to stay in is revelatory. The bottom line is, if I read it right, less than 500 Cubans have died since the onset  of the epidemic.(p.223). Ms. Scwolsky also helped  to bring to reality Memorias, Cuba's version of the AIDS quilt. 

Since the revolution, Cuba has remained shrouded in myth, mystery, ideology and rhetoric. Ms. Scwolsky presents Cuba as just another place where people live their own lives with their own particular struggles. And joys. Her objective perspective, albeit one from someone who truly loves the island , helps us to see Cuba as we would any more familiar country, that is normal. Much of this comes through the many portraits she paints of her friends there, most people living with AIDS. Their stories make up  the heart of this book, in more ways than one. They become real to us. She wonders how much of the social interconnectivity between people is inherently  a part of Cuban culture and how much a result of decades of socialist living.( I can only add that similar observations have been made about how those growing up in East Germany differed from those from the West.) 

Elena Schwolsky is truly a child of the sixties. She was a San Francisco hippie and her love of Cuba began with the 1972 Venceremos brigade. Throughout all these years, her core social and political values remained constant and consistent. A life faithfully lived as shared in this book.

Despite her shyness at accepting the title, Elena Schwolsky is indeed a writer. And as she now adds with a smile,"an author." The book has an easy flow to it. One finds oneself eagerly turning to the next chapter, ready to meet the next person, hear the next story, see what happens next. It's not often a book can be a valuable contribution to a field of study and a pleasure to read. This one is.

El pastor en tiempos de lucha: parte 2

A mis hermanos y hermanas en Chile....

Ustedes han estado muy en mi pensamientos y oraciones desde que regresé a mi hogar. Ha sido muy frustrante tratar de mantenerse al día con todo lo que ha sucedido con tan poco en la Prensa Estadounidense. He anhelado estar contigo. Parece que estamos viendo un amanecer de nuevas esperanzas y posibilidades para su país y su pueblo. Rezo para que así sea. Me siento muy bendecido por haber podido estar presente y ser testigo en este momento histórico.

Hace unas semanas, escribió un artículo sobre " el Pastor en Tiempo de Lucha." Reflexionando, se me ha ocurrido que durante los días que siguieron al 11 de septiembre y Occupy Wall Street, fui bendecido para estar en el Ministerio de tiempo completo como un llamado pastor congregacional. No había conflicto entre mi trabajo y mi Ministerio ya que mi Ministerio era mi trabajo. Añadiría entre paréntesis, en tiempos como estos se necesita discernimiento para comprender la diferencia entre mi rol pastoral relacionado con mi iglesia en tiempos de lucha y mi interés personal. Estos no siempre están alineados. Permítanme añadir que también hay que tener en cuenta las necesidades de la propia familia durante esos momentos y hacer tiempo para estar presente con los seres queridos. Es muy fácil en tiempos de tumulto ser consumido por el momento.

Al pensar en mis amigos en Chile, me doy cuenta que la mayoría no tiene el lujo de un Ministerio a tiempo completo. La mayoría son "fabricantes de tiendas", ya que se requiere otro trabajo para mantener el cuerpo y el alma juntos. Permítanme añadir que esto es cada vez más el caso en los Estados Unidos, así como dentro de las históricas denominaciones protestantes (evangélicas). Por ejemplo, más de la mitad de las 95 congregaciones del Presbiterio De Nueva York no tienen pastores instalados. Las clases que enseño en la Escuela de teología de Newark están formadas por trabajadores que en CTE sólo pueden asistir a clases por la noche. Esto es cada vez más el caso en El New York Theological Seminary también. Así que debemos abordar la pregunta de cómo pastorear responsablemente en tiempos de crisis mientras cumplimos con las responsabilidades preexistentes.

Tengo varias ideas. En primer lugar,como vimos en Chile, habrá momentos en que toda la sociedad se aleje de la vida pregunté y se plantee, como en un día de "huelga general"."Claramente, en tal día no hay conflicto.

Pero en otros días, en tiempos prolongados de lucha, hay que equilibrar las demandas. Volvemos a la idea de capacidad, lo que está dentro de su capacidad, el tiempo y de otra manera, para hacer. Utilice el tiempo ya existente reservado para el trabajo parroquial y hacer que el enfoque y el tema de la lucha. Por ejemplo, si la congregación tiene un estudio bíblico semanal, busquen descubrir juntos y compartir entre sí lo que la Biblia tiene que decir acerca de lo que estamos enfrentando. Igualmente use los tiempos de oración establecidos para unirse para la oración intencional enfocada. El Servicio dominical semanal también puede ser entendido y celebrar contextualmente con el tiempo antes y después del Servicio utilizado para las conversaciones estratégicas y lo que se hará a continuación. El punto es antes de buscar "la segunda milla", explorar y utilizar lo que ya tienes disponible.

Esto también requiere la práctica del " sacerdocio de todos los creyentes."Nuestra tradición tiene "ancianos enseñantes", "ancianos gobernantes" y " diáconos."No hay jerarquías en estas ordenaciones. Más allá de los oficiales ordenados de la iglesia, cada miembro tiene un Ministerio dado a ellos en el bautismo, incluso antes de cualquier vocación ordenada. Un aspecto importante del trabajo del ministro, en colaboración con los miembros, es ayudar a cada uno a descubrir su propia llamada. A veces la forma más apropiada de liderazgo es hacer el trabajo de organización. Es decir, después de discernir hacia dónde se dirige la comunidad, dividiendo y compartiendo el trabajo con el diente a un lado para compartir reflexiones sobre lo que hemos experimentado. Se debe prestar especial atención a la búsqueda de oportunidades para el testimonio comunitario.

Como el clero puede usar ropa identificativa, es decir, collares clericales, durante las manifestaciones públicas, podemos pensar en cómo identificar claramente a los testigos cristianos no clericales también. Esto puede ser algo tan simple como una camiseta simplemente pero claramente etiquetada.

Me conmovió conocer las acciones de una congregación en Providencia. Al principio, han sido bien retirados del centro de acción. Pero inevitablemente la manifestación vino a su camino. Digamos que no hubo consenso de mire en la congregación también. De hecho, algunas opiniones muy divididas. El pastor organizó la congregación para establecer una mesa de agua para dar "..una taza de agua fresca en el nombre de Jesús.."a manifestantes resecos. Los feligreses llevaban camisetas caseras que expresaban el amor de Cristo por todos e identificaban a la congregación. De esta manera la congregación podría expresar una presencia activa comprometida como cristianos sin ningún otro contenido ideológico.

Cada uno de nosotros como pastores tiene sus propios dones particulares y únicos. Ninguno de nosotros puede hacerlo todo. Pero cada uno de nosotros debe hacer algo, lo que sea más apropiado para nosotros. También en tiempos satisface debemos estar dispuestos a dar un paso audaz cuando sea necesario mientras buscamos servir como el cuerpo resucitado de Cristo en medio de la lucha.

Que el Espíritu Santo os sostenga durante estos días...Siempre estoy dispuesto a trabajar contigo como Puedas...

Paz y poder...

Dr. Robert L. Brashear,
Nueva York

The Pastor in Times of Struggle: Part 2

11/18

Plaza Italia Santiago

To my brothers and sisters in Chile....

You have been very much in my thought and prayers ever since I returned  to my home. It has been very frustrating trying to keep up with all that has happened with so little in the US press. I have longed to be with you. It appears that we are seeing a dawn of new hope and possibility for your country and people. I pray that it be so. I feel very blessed to have been able to be present and a witness in this historic moment. 

A few weeks ago, wrote  a piece on "The Pastor in Time of Struggle." On reflection, it has occurred to me that during the days following 9-11 and Occupy Wall Street, I was blessed to be in full-time ministry   as a called congregational pastor. There was no conflict between my work and my ministry as my ministry was my work. I would add parenthetically, in times like these it takes discernment to understand the difference between my pastoral role related to my church in times of struggle and my personal interest. These are not always aligned. Let me add that one also needs to take into account the needs of one's family during such times as well and make time to be present with loved ones. It is very easy in times of tumult to be consumed by the moment.

As I think of my friends in Chile, I realize that most do not have the luxury of full time ministry. Most are "tentmakers" as other work is required to keep body and soul together. Let me add that this is increasingly the case in the United States as well within the historic protestant (evangelical) denominations. For example, over half of New York City Presbytery's 95 congregations do not have installed pastors. The classes I teach at the Newark School of Theology are made up of working people who much as at CTE can only attend classes at night. This is increasingly the case at New York Theological Seminary as well. So we must address the question as to how to responsibly pastor in times of crisis while fulfilling preexisting responsibilities.

I have several thoughts. FIrst,as we saw in Chile, there will be moments  where the whole society steps away from daily life and makes a stand, like on a day of "general strike." Clearly, on such a day there is not a conflict.

But on other days in extended times of  struggle, one has to balance demands. We return to the idea of capacity, what is within your capacity, timewise and otherwise, to do. Use already existing time set aside for parish work and make the focus and theme the struggle. Fort example, if the congregation has a weekly Bible study, seek to discover together and share with one another what the Bible has to say about what we are facing. Likewise use established prayer times to join together for focused intentional prayer. The weekly Sunday service can also be understood and celebrate contextually with time before and after the service used for strategy conversations and what will be done next. The point is before seeking "the second  mile,"explore and utilize what you already have available.

This also calls for the practice of the "priesthood of all believers." Our tradition has "teaching elders," "ruling elders" and "deacons."  There are no hierarchies to these ordinations. Beyond the ordained officers of the church, each member has a ministry given to them at baptism, even preceding any ordained calling. An important aspect of the work of the minister, in partnership with the members, is helping each discover their own call. Sometimes the most appropriate form of leadership is to do the work of organizing. That is after discerning where the community is being led, dividing up and sharing the work with tine set aside for sharing reflections on what we have experienced. Special attention must be given to finding opportunities for communal witness.

As clergy can wear identifying clothing, ie, clerical collars, during public manifestations, we can think about how to clearly identify non-clerical Christian witnesses as well. This can be something as simple as a t-shirt simply but clearly labelled.

I was moved to learn of the actions of a congregation in Providencia. At first, they has been well removed from the center of action. But inevitably manifestation came their way. Let us say there was no consensus of understanding in the congregation as well. In fact some sharply divided opinion. The pastor organized the congregation to set up a water table to give "..a cup of cool water in Jesus' name.." to parched protestors. Congregants wore homemade t-shirts expressing the love of Christ for all and identifying the congregation. In this way the congregation could express an active engaged presence as Christians with no other ideological content.

Each of us as pastors has our own particular and unique gifts. No one of us can do everything. But each of us must do something, whatever is most appropriate to us. We must also in extraordinary times be willing to take a bold step when that is called for as we seek to serve as the risen body of Christ in the midst of the struggle.

May the Holy Spirit sustain you during these days...I am always ready to work with you as U can...

Peace and power...

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Brashear,
New York City

El Pastor en tiempos de lucha

11/17 (en espanol)

En la práctica del Ministerio urbano, y podría decir del Ministerio en cualquier contexto, creo que es uno de los principales llamados del pastor a exegetar la vida actual del pueblo de Dios. Se ha dicho que otros hacen las cosas, pero los pastores están llamados a hacer sentido. Es claro que es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo. Me gustaría compartir algunas reflexiones sobre cómo podemos ser fieles pastores en tiempos de lucha.

1.  Tu primera llamada es ser un pastor. Eso significa saber dónde está tu gente. Lo que están haciendo. Cuáles son sus circunstancias. Lo que están pensando y sentiendo . Estar con ellos. Cuando sucedió el 11 de septiembre, reunimos a nuestros mayores y llamamos a cada miembro de nuestra congregación para determinar si estaban seguros o si tenían amigos o familiares desaparecidos. ¿Dónde están tus miembros? Están en sus casas? En las calles? Dónde están sus hijos? ¿Están todos bien? ¿La gente ha sido dolores por la destrucion de las tiendas de comestibles? ¿Alguien necesita comida?  ¿Hay miembros con problemas médicos afectados por problemas de transporte a los toques de queda? ¿Puede la comunidad cuidar de los demás en tiempos de estrés?

2. Reúne a la gente tan pronto como sea posible para una subir abierta. Simplemente diciendo lo que está en sus mentes. ¿Cuáles son sus esperanzas en este momento ? Sus temores? ¿Qué es más fuerte? Esta subir no es analítica, es simplemente escuchar. Su predicación y enseñanza serán moldeadas por lo que usted oye. Siguiente 9-11, abrimos nuestras puertas para toda la comunidad. Y simplemente escuchó. ¿Puede estar abierto a personas más allá de su membresía que simplemente necesitan compartir abiertamente lo que están sintiendo? Y por supuesto, deben abrir y terminar cada reunión con oración. La apertura es una invitación, el cierre ofrece todo lo que has escuchado a Dios.

3. ¿Puedes acompañar a tu gente? ¿Hay alguien de tu gente en las calles? ¿Puedes ir con ellos? ¿Como pastor individual? Estarías allí para caminar, no para  advocar (o en contra). ¿Hay una llamada para que vayas a las calles aunque no tengas miembros allí? Los voluntarios médicos de la Cruz Roja chilena y los voluntarios de la escuela de medicina de la universidad de Chile son muy visiblemente identificados por el uso de cruces rojas y batas blancas o matorrales. ¿Y si el clero estuviera presente usando collares clericales en caso de que alguien tenga una crisis espiritual? O estar allí simplemente como testigos. Me quedé asombrado durante las manifestaciones de "Occupy Wall Street" de que algunos de los héroes anónimos eran los estudiantes del seminario que estaban allí todos los días usando collares. (E incluso los viejos como yo también. )Nuestra presencia silenciosa pero constante fue tomada muy en serio y me sorprendió cómo después de aprender a confiar en nosotros, los "ocupantes" llegarían con preguntas espirituales profundas. De lo que estoy hablando es de testigo ... y evangelismo ... a través del acompañamiento. A veces creo que nuestro fracaso es en realidad un reflejo de una falta de confianza en lo que decimos que creemos. Como he escuchado en estos últimos días, a menudo he oído que la iglesia no es relevante para la lucha actual porque no ha estado presente.

Durante años, los presbiterianos de la Ciudad de Nueva York pusieron una mesa de agua en la 5ª avenida durante el desfile anual del "sube Gay" y la marcha y regalaron vasos de agua fría a los manifestantes. Los signos sobre la mesa leen "...un vaso de agua fría en el nombre de Jesús..." (Mateo 10: 42) Nota ... no abogar ninguna "posición", sólo estar presente en el nombre de Jesús.

4. Como presbiterianos, estamos llamados a amar a Dios con "... todo nuestro corazón, todo nuestro espíritu y toda nuestra mente... " por lo tanto, nos corresponde a nosotros honrar nuestro llamado como ancianos maestros. ¿Cuáles son los problemas que tenemos ante nosotros? ¿Cuáles son los hechos?  Y eso es absolutamente importante ... para que usted conozca los hechos ... ¿Cuáles son una variedad de fuentes de noticias diciendo acerca de lo que está pasando? ¿Los antecedentes? ¿Qué tiene que decir nuestra tradición de fe sobre esto o estos temas? ¿Qué dicen ahora nuestras tradiciones? Hay "cartas pastorales"? ¿O "cartas abiertas" para compartir? Al considerar los hechos del asunto, ¿qué historias Bíblicas vienen a la mente? ¿Cómo interact administradores la Biblia con nuestra historia?

El domingo siguiente a las primeras manifestaciones, el evangelio del leccionario para el domingo era Lucas 17: 11-19, la historia del juez injusto y la viuda persistente. La historia estaba impregnado de referencia pertinente para la existencial Chileno contexto. El grito que surgía de la calle era la viuda. Estamos llamados a su persistencia. Pero nosotros, en nuestra tradición, también estamos llamados a ver cómo podríamos haber bene el juez, contribuyendo a la denegación de justicia. Invite a su gente a un disciplinado estudio bíblico y reflexión sobre cómo estas historias se cruzan con sus propias vidas. Deja que tu reflexión Teológica sobre estos tiempos se refleje en tu predicación. La misma palabra "Evangelio" era una elección Subver Cerdeña de la palabra. Fue utilizado originalmente para celebrar las victorias del Imperio romano. Las primeras palabras de Marcos anuncian la inauguración de un Reino contracultural, este es el Evangelio de Jesucristo, no el César. Podemos honrar el Evangelio de Jesucristo?

Uno de nuestros mayores dones como cristianos reformados es que sabemos que ningún partido, político o movimiento puede expresar la plena voluntad de la mente de Dios. Todo se quedará corto, todos necesitarán ser él responsable de los valores que sostenemos como rojas de la creación de Dios....y es, al final, siempre la creación de Dios... no puede ser privatizada...estamos llamados a ser en la solidaridad crítica con quien está en el poder. Sin embargo, siempre hay ese momento en el que debemos decidir retirar la solidaridad, para ir a la resistencia. ¿Cómo alcanzamos ese discernimiento?

Por nuestra tradición, comenzamos estudiando todo lo que podemos. Preguntando lo que dice la Biblia. Preguntando lo que nuestra fe ha dicho. ¿Qué dicen nuestros amigos y aliados? ¿Podemos, en la medida de nuestra capacidad, determinar qué haría Jesús, porque, al final, esa es la pregunta analítica apropiada. Entonces oremos con todas nuestras fuerzas por la guía del Espíritu Santo. Determine lo que Dios le llama a hacer. O decir. Entonces argumenta, productividad por lo que escuchas y sientes en tu corazón con todo tu corazón, alma y mente, y luego cuando te vayas a la cama por la noche, permítete preguntarte si tal vez podrías estar equivocado.

Simplificar. Ninguna congregación puede hacer todo en respuesta Ningún pastor puede hacer todo lo que estoy sugiriendo. ¿Cuáles son sus dones? ¿Cuáles son las capacidades existentes de su congregación? ¿Cuál es la ÚNICA cosa que Dios te ha llamado a hacer y qué dones ya te ha dado para ser acerca de esa obra? Asegúrese de que su propuesta de acción pastoral/congregacional sea DEFINIBLE, factible Y MENSURABLE. Y seguir cada acción con la reflexión, y luego la revisión.

5. No subestimar el poder de la subir. Chile tiene lo que se llama una "hierda abierta" que divide las respuestas a la crisis actual. Los dolores y los dolores del pasado, todavía están sin resolver. La Amnistía no los resuelve. El perdón nos permite vivir más allá de la victimización pero no hace nada para restaurar la relación. La reconciliación es un proceso que ambas partes deben emprender con el compromiso de trabajar por la otra parte. Un pastor colombiano me dijo una vez "no hay reconciliacion sin reconstruction" ... las Relaciones deben ser reconstruidas desde abajo hacia arriba si la reconciliación va a ocurrir.

Algunos de nosotros seremos llamados a ser abogados y profetas. Otros pueden necesitar ser mediadores. La iglesia no debe ser un lugar seguro, sino un lugar valiente donde el encuentro y el compromiso pueden tener lugar. Donde vamos más allá del debate didáctico para permitirnos compartir dudas y miedos, así como certezas y tal vez descubrir mutualidad en nuestra vulnerabilidad. Libres de tener que defender, podemos descubrir valores compartidos que nos llevan a posiciones diferentes sobre cuestiones políticas. Cuando mi vecino sacerdote y yo compartimos los profundos valores que inspiraron nuestras decisiones sobre la política pública sobre el aborto, encontramos algunas conexiones profundas que nos permitieron entender la posición de cada uno y ser aliados en otros asuntos. Y nos vemos como hermanos cristianos.  Chile, al igual que mi propio país, tiene necesidad de un diálogo profundo y amplio. ¡Qué gente pidiendo la iglesia! Una vez más, nuestra tradición reformada nos hace ideales para este papel.

5. Sin embargo, llegan los momentos de" de qué lado estás". Eso es cuando la guía del Espíritu Santo es esencial. Y siempre, siempre como comunidad...el cristianismo es un deporte de equipo ... nos necesitamos el uno al otro.

6. Sean creativas. Durante Occupy Wall Street, las congregaciones judías celebraron Rosh Ha Shanah y Yom Kippur en medio de los Ocupantes del parque Zucotti. (Localización de la Ocupación extendida..). Las congregaciones Cristianas voluntarias celebraban la Eucaristía en el parque todos los domingos. ¿Qué práctica litúrgica podrías llevar a las calles?

8. Las Buenas Noticias deben inspirar ESPERANZA y ALEGRÍA.  La esperanza no es optimismo. Todo no mejora cada día en todos los sentidos. Jim Wallis de Sojourners ha dicho que la Esperanza es la voluntad de creer a pesar de la evidencia y el coraje de trabajar para hacer que la evidencia cambie. ALEGRÍA es la sonrisa del Arzobispo Tutu. Que en los días más oscuros del apartheid podría decir: "ya hemos ganado. Los justos no se han dado cuenta todavía". Porque él sabía que la victoria final, el futuro, está, estuvo y siempre estará en los manos de Dios. ¿Podemos encarnar la ESPERANZA y la ALEGRÍA? ¿Podemos crear y sostener comunidades de fe que las hagan visibles y reales?

Lo anterior es una rápida refundición de lo que pretendía compartir con las comunidades de fe en Valparaíso y Antofagosto, acompañada de oportunidades para considerar acciones concretas ... ruego que estas palabras puedan inspirarles reflexión, reflexión y apoyo en los desafíos de los próximos días. Lamento profundamente no poder estar contigo ahora. Estos no pueden ser los mejores tiempos, pero son nuestros tiempos. Un regalo de Dios y un llamado. Una oportunidad para llevar la buena noticias de Jesús, el encarnado, el humano, que camina con nosotros como hermano, compañero, amigo y Salvador ...a la lucha a la que hemos sido llamados. Un valiente Aleluya y un titulada Amén.

Espero estar contigo en persona.

En el nombre de Crisotjesus con paz y poder

The Pastor in Times of Struggle

11/18

Plaza Italia, Santiago

Prepared for my brothers and sisters in Chile...



The Pastor in times of struggle

In the practice of Urban Ministry, and I could say Ministry in any context, I believe it is one of the chief calls of the pastor to exegete the ongoing life of the people of God. It has been said that others make things, but pastors are called to make sense. It's clearly easier said than done. I would like to share some thoughts on how we can be faithful pastors in times of struggle.

1.  Your first call is to be a pastor. That means knowing where your people are. What they're doing. What are your circumstances? What they're thinking and feeling . Be with them. When September 11 happened, we gathered our elders and called every member of our congregation to determine whether they were safe or whether they had missing friends or relatives. Where are your members? Are they home? On the streets? Where are their children? Is everyone all right? Have people been suffering from the destruction of grocery stores? Anybody need food?  Are members with medical problems affected by transport problems to curfews? Can the community take care of others in times of stress?

2. Get people together as soon as possible for an open conversation. Just sharing what's in their minds. What are your hopes at this time ? Your fears? What's stronger? This conversation isn't analytical, it's just listening. Your preaching and teaching will be shaped by what you hear. The night following  9-11, we opened our doors to the entire community. And simply listened. Can you be open to people beyond your membership who simply need to openly share what you are feeling? And of course, you must open and finish each meeting with prayer. The opening is an invitation, the closing offers everything you have heard to God.

3. Can you accompany your people? Are  there any of your people on the streets? Can you go with them? As an individual pastor? You'd be there to walk, not advocate (for or against). Is there a call for you to go to the streets even if you don't have members there? The medical volunteers of the Chilean Red Cross and the Volunteers of the school of Medicine of the University of Chile are visibly identified by the use of red crosses and white coats.  What if the clergy were present wearing clerical collars in case someone had a spiritual crisis? Or just being there as witnesses. I was amazed at the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations that some of the anonymous heroes were the seminary students who were there every day wearing collars. (And even old men like me too. ) Our silent but constant presence was taken very seriously and I was surprised how after learning to trust us, the "occupants" would arrive with deep spiritual questions. What I'm talking about is a witness ... and evangelism ... through the accompaniment. Sometimes I think our failure is actually a reflection of a lack of confidence in what we say we believe. As I have heard in recent days, I have often heard that the church is not relevant to the current struggle because it has not been present.

For years, the presbyterians of the City of New York set up a water table on  5th Avenue during the annual parade of the "Gay Pride", and the march, and gave cups of cold water to the protesters. The signs on the table read."..a glass of cold water in the name of Jesus..."(Matthew 10: 42) Note ... do not advocate any "position", just be present in the name of Jesus.

4. As Presbyterians, we are called to love God with.".. all our heart, all our spirit and all our mind... "it is therefore up to us to honor our call as elder teachers. What are the problems before us? What are the facts?  And that is absolutely important ... so you know the facts ... What are a variety of news sources saying about what's going on? Background? What does our tradition of faith have to say about this or these issues? What do our traditions say now? Are there pastoral letters? Or "open letters" to share? When considering the facts of the matter, what Biblical stories come to mind? How do you interact Bible characters with our history?

The Sunday following the first demonstrations, the lectionary Gospel for Sunday was Luke 17: 11-19, the story of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. The story was filled  with relevant reference to the Chilean existential context. The cry that came out of the street was the widow. We are called to its persistence. But we, in our tradition, are also called to see how we could have been the judge, contributing to the denial of Justice. Invite your people to a disciplined Bible study and reflection on how these stories intersect with your own lives. Let your theological reflection on these times be reflected in your preaching. The same word "Gospel" was a subversive  use of the word from the start.. It was originally used to celebrate the victories of the Roman Empire. Mark's first words announce the inauguration of a countercultural Kingdom, This Is The Gospel of Jesus Christ, not Caesar. Can we honor the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

One of our greatest gifts as Reformed Christians is that we know that no party, political or movement can express the full will of God's mind. Everything will fall short, everyone will need to be responsible for the values we hold as stewards of God's creation....and it is, in the end, always God's creation... it cannot be privatized...we are called to be in critical solidarity with those in power. However, there is always that moment when we must decide to withdraw solidarity, in order to go to resistance. How do we achieve this discernment?

By our tradition, we began studying everything we can. Asking what the Bible says. Asking what our faith has said. What do our friends and allies say? Can we, to the extent of our ability, determine what Jesus would do, because, in the end, that is the appropriate analytical question. Then let us pray with all our might for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Determine what God calls you to do. Or say. Then argue, productivity for what you hear and feel in your heart with all your heart, soul, and mind, and then when you go to bed at night, let yourself wonder if maybe you could be wrong.

Simplify. No congregation can do everything in response.No pastor can do everything I'm suggesting. What are your gifts? What are the existing capacities of your congregation? What is the only thing that God has called you to do and what gifts has he already given you to be about that work? Make sure that your proposed action is a pastoral/congregational is a DEFINABLE, feasible AND MEASURABLE. And follow each action with reflection, and then review.

5. Do not underestimate the power of letting go. Chile has what is called an" open wound " that divides the responses to the current crisis. The pains and wounds of the past are still unresolved. Amnesty doesn't solve them. Forgiveness allows us to live beyond victimization but does nothing to restore the relationship. Reconciliation is a process that both sides must undertake with a commitment to work for the resolution. A Colombian pastor once told me," there is no reconciliation without reconstruction.".. relationships must be rebuilt from the bottom up if reconciliation is to occur.

Some of us will be called to be advocates and prophets. Others may need to be mediators. The church should not be a safe place, but a courageous place where encounter and commitment can take place. Where we go beyond the didactic debate to allow us to share doubts and fears, as well as certainties and perhaps discover mutual regard in our vulnerability. Free to defend, we can discover shared values that lead us to different positions on political issues. When my neighbor priest and I shared the deep values that inspired our decisions on public policy on abortion, we found some deep connections that allowed us to understand each other's position and be allies in other matters. And we are visible brothers in Christ....  Chile, like my own country, needs a deep and comprehensive dialogue. What people are asking of the church! Once again, our Reformed tradition makes us ideal for this role.

5. However, The" which side are you on"moments come. That is when the guidance of the Holy Spirit is essential. And always, always as a community...Christianity is a team sport ... we need each other.

6. Be creative. During Occupy Wall Street, the Jewish congregations celebrated Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the midst of the Occupants of the  Zuccotti Park. (Location of extended occupation..). Voluntary Christian congregations celebrated the Eucharist in the park every Sunday. What liturgical practice could you take to the streets?

Blessings and courage in the struggle....

11/15

Speaking at the Symposium

My presentation at the International Symposium on Migration and Border Solidarity: Humanitarian Aid is Never a Crime. Civil Resistance and the New Normal of Displacement. Ethical Cultural Society of Westchester.

Central America background...Once on a visit to Hamburg, I saw this graffiti: "...if you don't like refugees, stop creating them..." That is  perhaps the overriding theme for tonight's presentation.    You simply cannot understand today's Migration crisis without understanding role of the United States in  in creating it. This history has essentially three paradigms: 1. Monroe doctrine..1823....The US declares it intention to  replace the European colonial  powers and  to establish its own imperial  hemispheric hegemony 2. East/west dialectic...this includes the early red scare following the Russia Revolution and extends through  the post World War II Cold War 3. The post cold war international economic competition Early expressions of the  US desire to establish hemispheric hegemony include the Mexican War (1846-48),  in which the upper 40% or more of Mexcio was seized by force and then the Spanish American War of 1898 in which the US essentially took over the remnants of the Spain's imperial holdings. Central American intervention began with the US marine supported establishment of Somoza dictatorship  in Nicaragua,(1936-49) capped capped by the assassination of Nicaraguan independence leader Augusto  Sandino in 1934 after seven years if his fight to establish a democratic country.The Somoza family would remain in power until 1979 when they were overthrown by the Sandinistas. (FSLN) 1954 saw the CIA supported overthrow of democratically elected Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala to prevent  nationalization of the UNited Fruit Companies banana holdings. Still fearful of the success of the Cuban revolution, seen as an outpost of Soviet power, the 1980s saw the deaths 75-90000 mainly poor and in Guatemala, indigenous people. Fear of the potential influence of the Sandinistas following their overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship, the US sponsored the"Contra War," even turning to its arch enemy Iran as a means of arming the Contras against the Sandinistas. This  war had the further effect of turning  Honduras into what one  Hoduran described as "a US aircraft carrier" In El Salvador there was support for right wing dictatorship facing . a popular uprising with  death squads and a reign of terror with daily dumping of bodies. The support of Rio Montt and his genocidal regime in Guatemala led to the death of thousands of indigenous people and the destruction of eons old villages.                                                                                                    The Esqipulas peace accords of August 7, 1987 ushered in a new day of hope but that hope remains  but little realized. The Honduras coup of  6/28/2009 removing elected President Mel Zelaya from power ...last democratically elected President Today we find these realities.. 1.Corrupted democracies on 4 countries. * Honduras has been termed by one observer a "social-political Chernobyl" 2. Control by the narco military establishment and gangs. We cannot forget that these gangs were "born in the USA", most specifically born in Los Angeles, their names reflect LA "hoods"...) 3. Collapse of sustainable village and rural life. This has been caused by international Agribusiness  mono crop production and destruction of sustainable indigenous seed base. A second and seriously  dangerous cause is  climate change  and accompanying environmental catastrophe 4. Lack of viable jobs 5. Violence 6. The control of emigration process by "coyotes" Today it costs migrants $10-12000 to be guided to the border with accompanying sexual abuse and trafficking and frequent abandonment. The so-called  "Caravans" were a self-organized effort to evade coyote system. Far from bad hombres the caravanistas  represented a responsible practical alternative to an oppressive, abusive syytemThw Former cold war dialectic now multivalent with the US, China and Russia now competing.  Especially interesting is Putin's Rusia seeking to takeover former Soviet client relationships.. China's impact on agriculture and environment is extensive including Chinese business support of  Daniel  Ortega's chimeric canal plan.                                   The bottom line si very simple... People will continue to leave their here as long as life is impossible where they live. Graffiti in Hamburg "if you don't like refugees, stop creating them..." NO walls, no militarized borders, no byzantine asylum /immigration procedures will stop their coming to  our borders...it will only force people into ever  more desperate measures,  strengthen the power of gangs, coyotes and cartels and destroy families...and their very lives. ReplyForward ReplyForward