Nine Months in Mexico

Well folks, sorry for the delay in the posts.  Part of it was busyness , part no internet access for a week, and part just plain laziness!  So much has happened since my last post, so I will try and remember the highlights of my time.

Life in the community is good, we are busy and transient...many comings and goings so its hard to keep up with everyone's schedule!  After being in Mexico for a few weeks, I traveled to Dayton, Ohio for  Provincial Council meetings and to witness the First Vows of our newest Brother, Justin Quiros.
The meetings were long but good.  Again, being with this group of men is always challenging and inspiring at the same time.  I am often inspired and edified at just how much my fellow Council members really want the best for the community and try to look at issues from different perspectives so that we can make the best decisions possible.  It's tricky at times, but always good!  During that same weekend we had many activities at the Novitiate for the Vow Weekend festivities.  I saw many people that I've known over the years and had a good time to catch up with them.  My two very good friends in the community, Br. Jesse and Fr. George were in attendance, so there was much talking and laughing going on between the three of us.  The social at the Novitiate Friday night was outstanding! All the guys really pitched in and the night could not have been better.  The next day, we celebrated the First Vows of Justin.  Fr. Chris gave an excellent homily!  I told him, he definitely hit a homerun on this one!  We moved from the Mass on the Mount Saint John property to a dinner reception at the University of Dayton.  Again... all was done well and with finesse!

Br. Justin and Fr. Martin (Provincial)

I returned to Mexico tired but inspired from the festivities of the weekend!

This weekend marks our last weekend of the Educational Course that we have been taking together since February.  I am happy to be finished! It will free up my Friday's and Saturday's a bit more.  This past Monday, we all went to San Miguel Allende to have dinner at our professors house.  The food was outstanding and the company was great too.  This teacher is a marvel.  She is 70 years old and physically and emotionally you would never know it.  She is a "respectful firecracker".  After our meal, we went touring the city for a bit and wound up the top of a ritzy hotel to get a panoramic view of the city.  Let's just say, I wish I had more money....I would love to stay there!

Personally I am doing well here.  As I indicated earlier, I joined a gym and I have been going 3x a week.  Last week I began my running program by using the app, C25K (Couch to 5k).  So far all is going well and I am really enjoying progressing each time I hop on the treadmill.  I should be running a 5k in less than 6 weeks if I continue at this pace.  I'm down 38lbs since January.  It's going slow because each time I go to the US I enjoy myself a bit too much! But, slow and steady is also good for the long haul.  I am hoping to be at goal or close to my goal by my Birthday in October.  As I say, this is a marathon and not a sprint!

So that's a quick update.  I know I'm forgetting things and that is the reason why it is good to post weekly... I'll try and do better! 

The whole Sector will be going on retreat next week.  We will all go to the community in Puebla.  I'm looking forward to it!  I leave you with some homilies from the past that I did not post.  Happy June! This marks 9 months for me here in Mexico.  Still struggling with the language but getting better.  I have to keep reminding myself that it will just take more time and I am doing the best I can right now!

Feast of Pentecost

Good Afternoon Church! Today is a magnificent day! Today we mark and celebrate the birth of the Church…turn to the person next to you and say…Happy Birthday!  Yes, it is our birthday.  It is the day when we celebrate that the Spirit descended upon the disciples and gave them the gifts of wisdom, courage, counsel, understanding, awe, knowledge, and piety so that they could go out and preach the Good News of the Gospel.  On most birthday’s, we all receive some gifts.  Maybe it’s money, clothes, a new electronic gadget, a special dinner.  These gifts are all great, but in the end, they do not last.  We spend the money.  We may not fit into the same clothes in a year.  The rate of technology will make the latest gadget obsolete in six months.  We will be hungry again for another dinner in a day.  When we celebrate the Church’s birthday, OUR BIRTHDAY AS A PEOPLE, we remember the gifts that have lasted for over two thousand years!  We celebrate what can happen when we take our faith seriously and live our lives boldly.  When we take our faith seriously and live our lives boldly, the Church grows, Amen?

So, the two words I would like to focus on today as we celebrate our birthday are BOLD and MISSION.  They are important independently of one another and important in relationship to one another.   So what are the two words?  BOLD and MISSION.

As we read in the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples were gathered together.  They were still in shock at the death of Jesus.  They had been living in fear for fifty days.  They were sheep without a shepherd.  On the feast of Pentecost, the Spirit descends upon them, just as Jesus promised.  Jesus promised that they would not be alone, that he would send his Spirit to them to act as an advocate on their behalf.  Tongues of fire appear over the heads of the disciples.  Fire?  Yes, a sign of energy, a sign of passion, a sign of purification, a sign light in the darkness.  The Spirit descended upon the disciples and resulted in a new energy for them to preach the Gospel, to preach and live the Gospel with passion, to purify their motives for following the message of Jesus, and to be a path of light in the darkness of the death of Jesus.  Yes, fire can do all that.  I think the Church needs a little more fire, Amen? As a result of this glorious event, the disciples had a renewed energy.  They went from living in fear to living their life with passion.  They became BOLD in the proclamation of the Gospel.  I love that word BOLD.  When we are BOLD, we take risks.  We don’t let obstacles get in our way.  When we are BOLD we do not take no for an answer.  When we are BOLD we try new things.  We are creative. We are fearless.  Today, we celebrate the power of BOLD in the life of the Church.  So, are you BOLD in your life?  Are you BOLD in your faith?  Do you take risks?  Do you let obstacles hold you back? Do you speak about your faith with passion? Do you tell others of the mighty acts of God in your life?  Being a person who is BOLD means that we are active and not passive in this life or in our faith.  When we are BOLD we cannot play the victim.  When we live our lives each day knowing that we received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we cannot help but be BOLD.  We are not alone.  We live in the life of the Holy Spirit.  When we are BOLD we can speak about God and other important things in new ways so that others will understand and come to believe because of our words.  Today, on our birthday, we are encouraged and reminded to be BOLD!

The second word that comes to us on our birthday is MISSION.  As Saint Paul reminds us, “as a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.”  As part of the Body of Christ, as part of the Church, we have a mission.  Again, this is a word that is not passive, but active.  The mission of the Church is to bring Good News to those who need it- the poor, the marginalized, the abandoned, the homeless, the hungry, the prisoner, the lonely, the sick.  All of us are called to play a role in the mission of the Church.  Do we have to do everything? NO!  But, we have to do something!  The disciples knew that they had to continue telling the story of Jesus.  They knew their mission was to bring others to a deeper relationship with the Father through the Son, and they were able to do that through the power of the Holy Spirit. The word mission is a word that implies outside, it implies others.  We all have a mission and a responsibility to our family, but we have a mission in the Church too.  We have a responsibility to build up the Church through our words and actions.  The Spirit gives us the power to do this in our lives.  Just think about this…what would have happened if the disciples decided that it was all over.  That they remained hiding and in fear.  That they did not venture outside of their own little group of people.  Well, the Church would not be here today.  We would not be in this Chapel today.  The disciples changed and embraced their mission.  The Spirit helped them.  As believers in Christ Jesus, we too must embrace our mission.  A mission of word and action.  Once again, I think we need some more fire in the Church when it comes to mission, Amen?  Why is it that in a Church that was founded on mission that only ten percent of the Church ever does anything for the Church?  As Catholics, we have become too passive in our faith.  For many of us being Catholic is more cultural than it is religious.  We go through the motions of baptism, presentation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Quincenera, but do these rituals make us more on fire with our faith or are they great excuses to have a party and wear nice clothes?  If we have been through all the rituals of the Church and only show up on Sunday for Mass, then we have not really learned the lessons of the Gospel.  Living the mission of the Church is living the words of the Gospel, and we do not do this passively, but we do this BOLDLY!

So, on this our birthday, just as we place candles on a cake, we need a fire to help us live our mission boldly, Amen? The Spirit is with us and provides us with the gifts we need to live our lives devoutly and passionately.  The Spirit gives us gifts that will last, they will not get old or out of fashion.  When we are on fire with our faith, others will be attracted to us and to the Church.  When we are on fire, we will be the Church that Jesus wanted.  A Church that lives boldly and embraces the mission of bringing Good News to the places and persons who need it the most.  So, Church, Happy Birthday.  Live the mission boldly, Amen?

                                               Fiesta de Pentecostés

 Buenas tardes Iglesia! Hoy es un día magnífico! Hoy marcamos y celebramos el nacimiento de la Iglesia... gira a la persona a tu lado y diga... feliz cumpleaños! Sí, es nuestro cumpleaños. Es el día en que se celebra que el Espíritu descendió sobre los discípulos y les dio los dones de la sabiduría, el valor, el consejo, la comprensión, el temor, el conocimiento y la piedad para que pudieran salir a predicar la Buena Nueva del Evangelio. En la mayoría de cumpleaños, todos recibimos algunos regalos. Tal vez sea dinero, ropa, un nuevo artilugio electrónico, una cena especial. Estos regalos son todos grandes, pero al final, no duran. Pasamos el dinero. Es posible que no caben en la misma ropa en un año. El ritmo de la tecnología hará que el último artilugio obsoleto en seis meses. Vamos a tener hambre de nuevo para otra cena en un día. Cuando celebramos el cumpleaños de la Iglesia, nuestro cumpleaños como pueblo, recordamos a los dones que han durado más de dos mil años! Celebramos lo que puede suceder cuando tomamos en serio nuestra fe y vivimos nuestras vidas confiadamente. Cuando tomamos en serio nuestra fe y vivimos nuestras vidas confiadamente, la Iglesia crece, Amén?

Por lo tanto, las dos palabras que me gustaría centrarme hoy al celebrar nuestro cumpleaños están en AUDAZ y Misión. Son importantes independientemente uno de otro e importante en relación el uno al otro. ¿Cuáles son las dos palabras? AUDAZ y Misión.

Como leemos en los Hechos de los Apóstoles, los discípulos estaban reunidos. Todavía estaban en estado de shock por la muerte de Jesús. Ellos habían estado viviendo en el miedo durante cincuenta días. Eran ovejas que no tienen pastor. En la fiesta de Pentecostés, el Espíritu desciende sobre ellos, al igual que Jesús prometió. Jesús prometió que no iban a estar solo, que enviaría a su Espíritu a ellos para actuar como defensor en su nombre. Lenguas de fuego aparecen sobre las cabezas de los discípulos. ¿Fuego? Sí, un signo de la energía, un signo de la pasión, un signo de purificación, una señal de luz en la oscuridad. El Espíritu descendió sobre los discípulos y dio lugar a una nueva energía para ellos predican el Evangelio, que predican y viven el Evangelio con pasión, para purificar sus motivos para seguir el mensaje de Jesús, y para ser un camino de luz en la oscuridad de la muerte de Jesús. Sí, el fuego puede hacer todo eso. Creo que la Iglesia necesita un poco más de fuego, Amén? Como resultado de este glorioso evento, los discípulos tenían una energía renovada. Pasaron de vivir en el miedo a vivir su vida con pasión. Se convirtieron en audaz en el anuncio del Evangelio. Me encanta que las palabras en audaz. Cuando están en audaz, tomamos riesgos. No dejamos que los obstáculos en nuestro camino. Cuando estamos AUDAZ no tomamos un “no” por respuesta. Cuando estamos AUDAZ intentamos cosas nuevas. Somos creativos. Estamos sin miedo. Hoy celebramos el poder de AUDAZ en la vida de la Iglesia. Entonces, ¿estás AUDAZ en su vida? ¿Estás AUDAZ en su fe? ¿Usted toma riesgos? ¿Deja que los obstáculos que frenan? ¿Usted habla acerca de su fe con pasión? Se le dice a los demás de las maravillas de Dios en su vida? Siendo una persona que es AUDAZ significa que estamos activos y no pasivos en esta vida o en nuestra fe. Cuando estamos AUDAZ no podemos jugar a la víctima. Cuando vivimos nuestras vidas cada día sabiendo que recibimos los dones del Espíritu Santo, no podemos dejar de ser audaz. No estamos solos. Vivimos en la vida del Espíritu Santo. Cuando estamos AUDAZ podemos hablar de Dios y otras cosas importantes en nuevas formas para que otros puedan entender y llegar a creer, debido a nuestras palabras. Hoy en día, en nuestro cumpleaños, nos alienta y recordó a ser audaz!

La segunda palabra que viene a nosotros en nuestro cumpleaños es misión. Como San Pablo nos recuerda, "como un cuerpo es uno y tiene muchos miembros, y todos los partes del cuerpo, siendo muchos, son un solo cuerpo, así también Cristo." Como parte del Cuerpo de Cristo, como parte de la Iglesia, tenemos una misión. Una vez más, esta es una palabra que no es pasivo, sino activo. La misión de la Iglesia es la de llevar la Buena Nueva a los que necesitan - los pobres, los marginados, los abandonados, los sin techo, los hambrientos, los prisioneros, los que están solos, los enfermos. Todos nosotros estamos llamados a desempeñar un papel en la misión de la Iglesia. Qué tenemos que hacer todo? ¡NO! Sin embargo, tenemos que hacer algo! Los discípulos sabían que tenían que seguir contando la historia de Jesús. Sabían que su misión era la de traer a otros a una relación más profunda con el Padre por medio del Hijo, y fueron capaces de hacerlo a través del poder del Espíritu Santo. La misión de la palabra es una palabra que implica el exterior, implica otros. Todos tenemos una misión y una responsabilidad de nuestra familia, pero tenemos una misión en la Iglesia también. Tenemos la responsabilidad de edificar la Iglesia a través de nuestras palabras y acciones. El Espíritu nos da el poder para hacer esto en nuestras vidas. Basta con pensar en esto... lo que habría ocurrido si los discípulos decidieron que todo había terminado. Que se mantuvo oculta y en el miedo. Que no se aventuraron fuera de su propio pequeño grupo de personas. Pues bien, la Iglesia no estaría aquí hoy. No estaríamos en esta capilla en la actualidad. Los discípulos cambiaron y se abrazaron su misión. El Espíritu les ayudó. Como creyentes en Cristo Jesús, nosotros también debemos abrazar nuestra misión. Una misión de la palabra y la acción. Una vez más, creo que necesitamos un poco más de fuego en la Iglesia cuando se trata de la misión, Amén? ¿Por qué es que en una iglesia que fue fundada en la misión que sólo el diez por ciento de la Iglesia nunca hace nada por la Iglesia? Como católicos, nos hemos vuelto demasiado pasiva en nuestra fe. Para muchos de nosotros ser católico es más cultural que es religiosa. Vamos a través de los movimientos de bautizo, presentación, primera comunión, confirmación, y Quinceañera, pero no estos rituales nos hace más arde con nuestra fe o son grandes excusas para tener una fiesta y vestir ropa elegante? Si hemos sido a través de todos los rituales de la Iglesia y solo llegan el domingo para la misa, a continuación, en realidad no hemos aprendido las lecciones del Evangelio. Vivir la misión de la Iglesia está viviendo las palabras del Evangelio, y que no hacen esto de forma pasiva, pero hacer esto AUDAZMENTE!

Por lo tanto, en este nuestro cumpleaños, del mismo modo que coloque las velas en un pastel, necesitamos un fuego para ayudarnos a vivir nuestra misión con audaz Amén? El Espíritu está con nosotros y nos proporciona los dones que necesitamos para vivir nuestras vidas con devoción y pasión. El Espíritu nos da regalos que va a durar, no van a conseguir viejo o pasado de moda. Cuando estamos en el fuego con nuestra fe, otros serán atraídos por nosotros y para la Iglesia. Cuando estamos en el fuego, vamos a ser la Iglesia que Jesús quería. Una Iglesia que vive confiadamente y abraza la misión de llevar la Buena Nueva a los lugares y las personas que más lo necesitan. Así, Iglesia, feliz cumpleaños. Vivir la misión con audaz,  Amén?

Homily 10^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Morning Church! It is good to be here!

The power of God is incredible!

Repeat after me, the power of God is incredible

Turn to the person next to you and tell them, the power of God is incredible!

Yes, today in our readings we hear how the power of God is incredible.  It is good for us to hear that, but all of us must experience this fact in our own lives.  Today, that power includes healing, great faith, and bringing back to life that which once was dead.  So, think about your own life.  Have you or your family experienced healing, physical, spiritual or emotional healing through the power of God?  Have you grown in your faith and have said and done things because of your faith that you would not have said or done years ago?  Have you or your family had moments in your life when you felt like you were dead, lifeless, empty, and then because of God was restored to life?  This is what we celebrate today.  That God has the power to do great things in our life if we are only open to His ways, Amen?

In the first reading, Elijah is given hospitality by a widow whose son was very sick.  He was so sick that he stopped breathing.  The widow asks Elijah to do something, if he is really a man of God.  Elijah prayed, stretched his body over the body of the child, and the child was restored to life.  The story today shows us the importance of prayer in our life.  First we must ask and believe that something is possible.  Then we must do something to accompany the prayer.  The widow asked and believed that Elijah could do something.  Elijah prayed and let his life breath enter the body of the child.  That day a miracle happened because of the cooperation between man and God.  Saint Augustine was credited with saying, “Pray as if everything depends upon God, and act as if everything depends upon you.”  I like that saying, because it shows a partnership between God and humanity.  That child in our story today experienced the incredible power of God.  When God and humanity work together, incredible things can happen, Amen?

Saint Paul writes to the Galatians today and shares his story of conversion.  Paul was a zealous Pharisee who devoted himself to the Law of Moses.  He was so zealous that he persecuted Christians and wanted them dead.  The power of God is incredible! This man who once persecuted Christians, now because of faith in Christ Jesus, brought thousands of people to the faith!  God changed the heart of Paul.  God can change our hearts too, Amen?  There are no hopeless causes when we have faith in God.  Maybe there is someone, or a situation in your family right now that you think is hopeless.  Faith, prayer, and perseverance will bring a resolution to your situation.  God will not abandon you.  God will see you through this! God helped Paul to change.  Have the faith to know that God will help you!  The power of God is incredible!  Come on Church, let’s say it together… The power of God is incredible!

In our Gospel today, Jesus is moved with compassion for a widow whose only son died.  This fact is important because in ancient times the son needed to provide for his family.  The woman was already a widow.  Her husband was not there to provide for her, so if her son died, the woman would have no one to care for her.  Jesus, moved with pity, steps forth and touches the coffin and says, “Young man, I tell you, arise” The young man sat up and was restored to life.  A great miracle happened that day, and many began to believe in Jesus because they saw the power of God working through him.  The young man was restored to life so that the widow would have someone to care for her.  Jesus brought their lives back into balance.  Sometimes we may feel like our lives are out of balance and may even feel dead at times.  Jesus has the power to bring our lives into balance, and to make us feel fully alive.  All of us today need to hear the words of Jesus in our life, “I tell you, arise”.  When we are restored into balance, we do arise, we do get up and get on with life.  The power of God has the ability to make us whole again, to restore us into a healthy balance in our lives.  Are there parts of your own life that may feel “dead”.  Ask Jesus to restore you and bring you back into balance.

And so the Word of God today is about healing, restoration, faith, change and balance.  These words can help us throughout this week to be visible witnesses to the power of God, Amen? So, as you go through this week and trouble comes knocking on your door…and we all know that it will, then Pray as if everything depended upon God and act as if everything depended on you.  This week, let us be partners with God in restoring health and balance into our lives, Amen?

              Homilía 10º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

Buenas días Iglesia! Es bueno estar aquí!

El poder de Dios es increíble!

Repita después de mí, el poder de Dios es increíble

Gira a la persona a tu lado y dices, el poder de Dios es increíble! 

Sí, hoy en nuestras lecturas nos oye cómo el poder de Dios es increíble. Es bueno para nosotros escuchar eso, pero todos nosotros debemos experimentar este hecho en nuestra propia vida. Hoy en día, ese poder incluye la sanidad, una gran fe, y traer de vuelta a la vida aquello que una vez que estaba muerto. Por lo tanto, pensar en su propia vida. ¿Usted o su familia experimentada la curación, la curación física, espiritual o emocional a través del poder de Dios? ¿Ha crecido en su fe y ha dicho y hecho cosas a causa de su fe en que usted no habría dicho o hecho hace años? Tiene usted o su familia hayan tenido momentos en su vida en que se sintió como si estuviera muerto, sin vida, vacío, y luego a causa de Dios fue restaurado a la vida? Esto es lo que celebramos hoy. Que Dios tiene el poder para hacer grandes cosas en nuestra vida si sólo estamos abiertos a sus caminos, Amén?

En la primera lectura, Elías se da hospitalidad por una viuda cuyo hijo estaba muy enfermo. Estaba tan enfermo que dejó de respirar. La viuda pide a Elías para hacer algo, si él es realmente un hombre de Dios. Elías oró, estiró su cuerpo sobre el cuerpo del niño, y el niño fue devuelto a la vida. La historia de hoy nos muestra la importancia de la oración en nuestra vida. En primer lugar hay que pedir y creer que algo es posible. Entonces tenemos que hacer algo para acompañar la oración. La viuda pidió y creía que Elías podía hacer algo. Elías oró y dejó que su aliento vital entrar en el cuerpo del niño. Ese día ocurrió un milagro debido a la cooperación entre el hombre y Dios. San Agustín  fue acreditado con decir: "Reza como si todo dependiera de Dios, y actuar como si todo depende de ti." Me gusta esta palabra, ya que muestra una asociación entre Dios y la humanidad. Ese niño en nuestra historia de hoy experimenta el increíble poder de Dios. Cuando Dios y la humanidad trabajan juntos, las cosas increíbles pueden suceder, Amén?

San Pablo escribe a los Gálatas hoy y comparte su historia de la conversión. Pablo era un fariseo celoso que se dedicó a la Ley de Moisés. Era tan celoso que persiguió a los cristianos y los quería muertos. El poder de Dios es increíble! Este hombre que una vez persiguió a los cristianos, ahora a causa de la fe en Cristo Jesús, llevó a miles de personas a la fe! Dios cambió el corazón de Pablo. Dios puede cambiar nuestros corazones también, Amén? No hay causas perdidas cuando tenemos fe en Dios. Tal vez hay alguien, o una situación en su familia en este momento que usted piensa que no tiene remedio. La fe, la oración y la perseverancia traerán una solución a su situación. Dios no te abandonará. Dios se encargará de que a través de este! Dios ayudó a Pablo a cambiar. Tener la fe para saber que Dios le ayudará! El poder de Dios es increíble! Vamos Iglesia, digamos juntos... El poder de Dios es increíble!

En nuestro Evangelio de hoy, Jesús se compadece de una viuda cuyo único hijo muerto. Este hecho es importante porque en la antigüedad el hijo necesita para mantener a su familia. La mujer ya era viuda. Su marido no estaba allí para proveer para ella, por lo que si la muerte de su hijo, la mujer no tendría a nadie para cuidar de ella. Jesús, teniendo compasión, los pasos adelante y toca el ataúd y dice: "Joven, a ti te digo, levántate" El joven se incorporó y volvió a la vida. Un gran milagro ocurrió ese día, y muchos empezaron a creer en Jesús porque ellos vieron el poder de Dios obrando a través de él. El joven fue devuelto a la vida por lo que la viuda tendría a alguien para cuidar de ella. Jesús trajo sus vidas de nuevo en equilibrio. A veces podemos sentir que nuestras vidas están fuera de equilibrio e incluso pueden sentirse muertos a veces. Jesús tiene el poder de poner nuestra vida en equilibrio, y para hacernos sentir completamente vivo. Todos nosotros hoy necesitan escuchar las palabras de Jesús en nuestra vida, "Yo te digo, levántate". Cuando somos restaurados en equilibrio, que surgen, nosotros levantamos y seguir con su vida. El poder de Dios tiene la capacidad de hacernos de nuevo todo, para restaurarnos en un equilibrio saludable en nuestras vidas. ¿Hay partes de su propia vida que pueden sentirse "muerto". Pide a Jesús para restaurar ti y te llevará de vuelta al equilibrio.

Y por lo que la Palabra de Dios en la actualidad se trata de la curación, la restauración, la fe, el cambio y el equilibrio. Estas palabras nos pueden ayudar a lo largo de esta semana para ser testigos visibles en el poder de Dios, Amén? Así, a medida que avanza a través de esta semana y problemas llega a llamar a su puerta... y todos sabemos que será, entonces reza como si todo dependiera de Dios y actuar como si todo dependiera de ti. Esta semana, vamos a ser socios de Dios en la restauración de la salud y el equilibrio en nuestras vidas, Amén?

Congreso in Lima, Peru

Good morning all! A very Happy Mother's Day to all my good friends!

Well, it was a busy week at the meeting.  A total of close to one hundred Marianist educators gathered at the Retreat Center in Lima, Peru for the Conference.  The group included vowed male and women religious, and lay collaborators from schools in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico.  Each day there was time for prayer, presentations, small group and large group work.  We began each day at 8am with Breakfast and most days concluded around 11-12pm with socials hosted by different countries.  I was definitely tired at the end of each day.  Listening and speaking in Spanish all that time really took its toll, and especially because each country speaks Spanish differently...just try understanding the Argentinians!  The socials were a lot of fun, lot's of goodies from each country, favorite drinks and dance music.  Some countries were very creative and well prepared in their presentations.  It was a great way to end each day.  Each morning I walked between 5-6 miles so that I could get my steps in for the day and because the diet was not very Weight Watcher friendly....lot's of rice, very little salad ,very little vegetables, and small portions of protein.  I did the best I could, but I had to eat!

As part of our time together we also visited some area schools, took a tour of a Fountain Park, ate in El Centro, and attended an evening of Folk Dance presented by the students and faculty of Maria Reina School.  It was a great time!

I return to Mexico tomorrow.  I have been away for a long time and really wish I was returning tonight but there was an error in the communication of the original dates, so here I am for an additional day. 

The Mexican Delegation: Me, Br. Juan Pablo, Br. Jose Luis

The Vowed Religious

Participants

Retreat Center

All the participants at the Cultural Event at Maria Reina

Country Displays

Argentina

Equador

Mexico

Chile

Colombia

Brazil

Peru

Rosary for the Countries

The Fountains

Bienvenidos a Peru! Welcome to Peru

Buenos tardes!  Good afternoon all.  Well, I arrived safely in Peru late Thursday night.  Br. Juan Pablo and I were picked up at the airport and then taken to our community in Miraflores, Lima, Peru.  We are staying at the parish that the Marianists operate, Santa Maria Reina.  The campus includes a huge Church and a huge colegio that educates students from grades Pre-K to 12.  The place is enormous. There are something like 10 weekend Masses at the Church and each one is packed! 

The Church (I concelebrated on Sunday)

Front Entrance of the School

Students playing

Students learning a Folkdance

The Gym with the Marianist Symbols

Since we are about 8 blocks from the beach, I take time either in the morning or late afternoon to get my "steps" in and have a chance to see beautiful scenery and burn some calories too!

View from the mountain

I walked down and up that mountain: "And I did not die!"

View of the Ocean from the Top of the Mountain

Yesterday, Juan Pablo and I took a taxi to the Historico Centro to visit some of the important sites for Peru.  Besides seeing some ornate government and cultural buildings, we visited several important  Churches in the area.  We went to the Dominican Church were the remains of two Dominican Peruvian saints lie: Saint Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres.  These two saints are honored and revered by the people of Peru.  St. Martin holds a special place in the hearts of all because he is the patron saint of social justice.  He is the saint also for racial equality since he was born of a Spanish conquistador and a black slave.  We climbed the bell tower to get a great view of the city.

Church of St. Dominic

French influenced architecture

Hall of (IN)Justice

Presidential Palace

We will head to the retreat center on Tuesday after visiting some other schools in the area.  Once we are at the retreat center we will begin the Conference on Wednesday night.  I think close to 75 people will be attending this conference from Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico.  It should be interesting and fun.  Each night, one or two countries will present something cultural from their country including foods and drinks!  I have to save my points to partake in some of these delicacies. 

I am enjoying my time here in Peru.  The Brothers could not be more hospitable and they all speak English too! For the most part I am speaking Spanish, but it is good to know that when I get stuck, I can fall back into English. 

I'm Getting into Bad Habits!!!!

Well folks, so sorry for the late posts! I was traveling for most of the time in between posts and then hit the ground running upon my return to Mexico.  So, what happened over the past few weeks?

Well, I went to St. Louis to attend Provincial Council meetings.  The meetings were long, but fruitful.  I am always happy to begin them, and after 2.5 days, very happy to finish with them!  I like to go to St. Louis because I am able to catch up with friends, community members, see doctors, and be a priest in English at the parish!  The pic above is the Cathedral.  Our Provincial Offices are right around the corner from the Cathedral.  I was on a lunch break and trying to get my "steps" in after sitting for hours and thought it would be good to take a picture of this space. 

I was very happy to be able to spend some time with my friend Becky and her husband Mike and my friend Fr. Tom one evening.  We sat around the kitchen and had a few drinks and "heavy pupus" (appetizers) as they say in Hawaii.  It was great to share stories and memories and to talk Catholic education "shop" with other long time educators.  I've known Becky since 1993 when I first went to LIFE Camp at Tecaboca outside of San Antonio, TX.  We shared many a long meeting and long hot 12 days at camp together over the years. 

Saturday night I was able to attend a reception at the parish that was the official Kick Off of the Capital Campaign for the parish.  Fr. Tom and his team have been working diligently for almost a year now to raise the funds necessary to make the needed improvements to the parish.  Now, the parish is in the "official" phase of the Campaign.  It was a great opportunity to see so many people.  Almost everyone came up to me and said, "Father, it is so good that you are here. What are you doing in town?" To which I responded, "I heard there was a party at Pillar!"  I was told by more than one person, that going to a party was very Marianist! 

The next day I had the 7am Mass and the people were very happy to see me, although some let me know that I cut into their sleep time with all my Amens!

Later that morning I hopped on a plane and headed to Orlando to visit with my dad.  I was in Orlando until Friday morning.  The weather was perfect.  I walked every morning and actually laid out by the pool one day.  I took my dad out to lunch 2 days and then visited after lunch another day.  As I said in an earlier post, it is just different visiting my dad now.  He has really adapted well to his new living space, but now he is very scheduled, and anything that goes against his schedule becomes worrisome for him.  So, I have to adapt.... The plus side was that I did get to spend some time with my brother Jimmy, his wife Donna and two of their children, Abigail and Jimmy.  The oldest, Emma, is rarely home.  She is your typical young adult, trying to juggle work, school, commitments and social life all at once.  We had some good times just talking and catching up on The Big Bang Theory and the survivalist show, Naked and Afraid.  So you can only imagine the conversations we were having!

I returned to Mexico on Friday afternoon only to face our typical Friday eve, Saturday classes with our professor.  Friday night was very difficult for me.  Change of time and travel all day to sit in a class in Spanish for three hours was almost more than I could bare....but bare I did! A good nights rest found me much better the next day.  After class we all ate La Comida together and then I needed to walk for a bit.  After my walk, I sat down to prepare the homily for Sunday.  I celebrated the 9:30am Mass on Sunday morning and I could hear some people saying, "Es Padre Amen" (It's Fr. Amen)

The beginning of this week found me tending to usual chores, laundry, food shopping, cooking, getting my haircut and preparing for me next trip to......Lima, Peru!   Yes, tomorrow I am headed to Lima, Peru for a meeting of Latin American Educators who work in Marianist sponsored schools in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador.  I will travel with another Mexican brother and we will meet up with an additional Mexican brother who is currently completing an internship with our schools in Peru.  I am very excited!  Br. Juan Pablo and I will spend some time traveling and visiting some of our schools in Lima and also doing some "touristy" things.  The conference begins next Thursday and will be held at a retreat center.  I am looking forward to meeting other lay and religious men and women who work at our schools in the various countries where we have membership.  My brain will certainly be on "overload" with translating, but I think I will be okay.  As I've said before, it is always an act of humility when I open my mouth to communicate in Spanish!  I am hoping that we will have internet service so that I can post while I am there, if not, you will have to wait until my return.

So, have a great week all!  Keep me in your prayers as I travel to yet another country!  So far since I've arrived in Mexico I have visited Colombia, Ivory Coast, and now Peru!  My passport is really getting a workout!  Many hugs and peace.

Homily Fifth Sunday of Easter

Morning Church! Happy Easter!!! Yes, we are still celebrating the season of Easter.  The Church provides us with fifty days of inspiring stories of faith so that we can live our faith fully and inspired, Amen?  Now, you all know the difference between a noun and a verb, right? A noun is a person, place or thing.  A verb is an action word.  Many people think that Catholic is a noun.  Well, yes, a Catholic describes a person, so in fact it is a noun.  But, may I suggest that Catholic is also a verb.  Too many Catholics live their faith like it’s a noun, like it describes something.  That is far too passive.  We Catholics need to live our faith like it’s a verb, like we are people of action, Amen?  We need to be active.  The Easter Season is all about action.  If we are to be an Easter people, then we must be nouns and verbs, Amen?

And so, what are the verbs presented to us today in the Word of God? Are you ready?  Do you really want to know?  Okay, here goes….the Word of God challenges us to commit, to renew, and to love.  What are the three action words?  COMMIT, RENEW, LOVE.  Turn to the person next to you and tell them the words…..COMMIT, RENEW, LOVE.  You are doing great Church!

I love the Easter season because we have the chance to hear most of the Acts of the Apostles.  The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of what happened when scared, tired, lonely, insecure disciples of Jesus were enlivened by the action of the Holy Spirit.  They changed their lives and perspectives to be on fire with faith, energetic in preaching the word, confident, and never alone because they had one another and the promise of the Holy Spirit.  The disciples continued the work that Jesus started.  They fulfilled the mission because they COMMIT to a new way of life.  They gave their lives to the mission of Jesus.  They endured hardships and sacrifice, beatings and ridicule, misunderstanding and disagreements even among themselves, but they did not give up! They were committed! To whom and what are you committed? For whom and what do you sacrifice in your life? What are you committed to this Easter Season?  I think Catholics are much better at celebrating Lent than we are at celebrating Easter.  Easter is a commitment to joy.  Easter is a commitment to hope.  Easter is a commitment to possibilities.  Are you an Easter Catholic?  Are you a verb or are you a noun? We commit to someone or something.  It demands an action.  Parents, are you committed to having your children grow in their faith?  Are you committed to being an example to them by attending Mass and celebrating the sacraments of the Church?  If you don’t do it, your children will not do it either.  Children can spot hypocrisy a kilometer away.  Paul and Barnabus endured trial and hardships for the faith.  The preached to others who did not want to hear their message, and still to others who wanted to kill them for their message.  Paul and Barnabus were committed.  They kept the faith.  They did something.  Will you?  So, what is the first verb for today?  COMMIT

The next verb for an Easter people is RENEW. Turn to the person next to you and say, the word is RENEW It reminds us that every day is a new creation.  Every day we have a new possibility to live our lives in a new way.  Every day, we can change old attitudes in for new and improved attitudes.  The Book of Revelation gives us a wonderful vision: A new heaven and a new earth.  The writer takes concepts that the people understood, heaven and earth and stated that when we live a life in Christ we can envision a new heaven and a new earth.  New possibilities.  Better relationships with one another.  A caring community.  A place where all needs are met. A vision of hope and possibilities.  A vision that builds upon former concepts and makes them better.  That is a wonderful image for ourselves….that God wants to renew us.  God wants to take who we are and make better versions of who we already are.  God see’s the potential and possibility in each one of us.  This is the vision that God has for our lives.  When we RENEW, we imagine ourselves differently.  So, what do you need to RENEW in your life?  Is it your image of yourself?  Your marriage? Your commitment to a project? Your relationship with your teenagers? Your relationship with elderly parents?  Catholic is a verb.  What will you RENEW to live your life as a verb?  At the end of the reading we hear the promise that, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”  The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  That is quite a promise, Amen? And so what is the second verb for today? RENEW

And finally we come to our last verb.  Can you remember the word?  LOVE.  A small word with a powerful meaning, Amen?  Turn to the person next to you and say, “I know about love.” This small word can be so difficult at times, Amen?  If we are to be an Easter people, we have to live our Catholic faith as a verb and love others, Amen?  Jesus even goes as far as telling his disciples that love is not a suggestion, it is a commandment!  A commandment! So Catholics have eleven commandments, Amen?  The Ten Commandments given to Moses by God and the Eleventh Commandment given to us by Jesus: Love one another.  And Jesus just does not say to love in a romantic way.  He tells his disciples and he tells us, “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”  And how did Jesus love his disciples?  He saw the good qualities in each of them.  He forgave them when they did not understand or did not do things correctly.  He remained faithful to them when they were not faithful to him.  He gave his life for them.  Now that is some kind of love, Amen?  That’s what the Eleventh Commandment is all about.  It is a sacrificial love that does not expect anything in return.  Wow!!!  Like anything else in life, LOVE takes practice.  Sometimes we LOVE well, and other times we do not.  The Easter Season is a reminder of one of the basics of our faith- LOVE.  If we call ourselves Catholics and we do not LOVE others, then we are liars and hypocrites, then we dishonor the name of Jesus.  Yes, those are strong words, but the small word of love holds much power and expectation.  Jesus commanded us to love one another.  It was not a suggestion.  If we are to be Catholics who are verbs and nouns then we must put our words into action, Amen?  And so what is the last verb for today? LOVE

The Easter season prepares us to be Catholics who are nouns and verbs.  We need to be both in our life.  The Easter season is a time of joy, hope, possibility and promise.  The way in which these words become a reality in our own lives is if we live our faith as verbs.  We will see joy, hope, possibility and promise when we COMMIT, RENEW AND LOVE, AMEN? This is the season of action, what will you do today to be a person of action? When we live in Christ, action is not a challenge but a commandment, Amen? Go do something good for the Lord today!

Homilía Quinto Domingo de Pascua

Buenos días Iglesia! ¡¡¡Felices Pascuas!!! Sí, todavía estamos celebrando la temporada de Pascua. La Iglesia nos ofrece con cincuenta días de inspiradoras historias de fe para que podamos vivir nuestra fe y totalmente inspirados, Amén? Ahora, todos ustedes saben la diferencia entre un sustantivo y un verbo, ¿verdad? Un sustantivo es una persona, lugar o cosa. Un verbo es una palabra de acción. Mucha gente piensa que es un sustantivo Católica. Bueno, sí, un católico describe a una persona, por lo que en realidad se trata de un sustantivo. Pero, puedo sugerir que católica es también un verbo. Demasiados católicos viven su fe como si fuera un sustantivo, como se describe algo. Eso es demasiado pasiva. Nosotros los católicos necesitamos para vivir nuestra fe como si fuera un verbo, como somos gente de acción, Amén? Tenemos que estar activo. El tiempo de Pascua es todo acerca de la acción. Si queremos ser un pueblo Pascual, entonces debemos ser sustantivos y verbos, Amén?

Y así, cuáles son los verbos que se nos presenta hoy en la Palabra de Dios? ¿Están listo? ¿Realmente Uds. quieren saber? De acuerdo, aquí va ... la Palabra de Dios nos desafía a comprometerse, renovar, y amar. ¿Cuáles son las tres palabras de acción? COMPROMETERSE, RENOVAR,  AMAR. Gira a la persona a tu lado y les dirá las palabras ... ..COMPROMETERSE, RENOVAR, AMAR. Que están haciendo muy bien Iglesia!

Me encanta la temporada de Pascua, porque tenemos la oportunidad de escuchar la mayor parte de los Hechos de los Apóstoles. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles narra la historia de lo que ocurrió cuando los discípulos estaban asustado, cansado, solos, inseguros,  fueron animadas por la acción del Espíritu Santo. Ellos cambiaron sus vidas y perspectivas estar en llamas con la fe, enérgico en la predicación de la palabra, confianza, y nunca solo porque tenían el uno al otro y la promesa del Espíritu Santo. Los discípulos continuaron la obra que Jesús comenzó. Ellos cumplen la misión, ya que se comprometen a una nueva forma de vida. Dieron sus vidas a la misión de Jesús. Ellos soportaron penurias y sacrificios, golpes y burlas, malentendidos y desacuerdos incluso entre ellos mismos, pero no se dan por vencidos! Estaban comprometidos! A quién y qué estás comprometido? Para quién y qué se sacrifica en su vida? ¿Qué estás comprometido con este tiempo de Pascua? Creo que los católicos son mucho mejores para celebrar la Cuaresma que estamos en la celebración de Pascua. Pascua es un compromiso con la alegría. Pascua es un compromiso a la esperanza. Pascua es un compromiso de posibilidades. ¿Son ustedes un católico Pascua? ¿Son ustedes un verbo o un sustantivo? Nos comprometemos a alguien o algo. Exige una acción. Los padres, ¿Están comprometido a tener a sus hijos a crecer en su fe? ¿Están comprometido a ser un ejemplo para ellos, asistiendo a misa y celebración de los sacramentos de la Iglesia? Si no lo hacen, sus hijos no lo harán tampoco. Los niños pueden detectar la hipocresía de un kilómetro de distancia. Pablo y Bernabé soportaron el juicio y dificultades para la fe. Ellos predicaron  a otros que no quieren escuchar su mensaje, y aún otros que querían matarlos por su mensaje. Pablo y Bernabé fueron cometidos. Se mantuveron la fe. Ellos hicieron algo. ¿Podrían Uds? Así que, ¿cuál es el primer verbo para hoy? COMPROMETIRSE

El siguiente verbo para un pueblo Pascual es RENOVAR. Gira a la persona a tu lado y decir, la palabra es renovar. Nos recuerda que cada día es una nueva creación. Todos los días tenemos una nueva posibilidad de vivir nuestras vidas de una manera nueva. Todos los días, podemos cambiar viejas actitudes en las actitudes nuevas y mejoradas. El libro de Apocalipsis nos da una visión maravillosa: Un nuevo cielo y una nueva tierra. El escritor toma conceptos que las personas entendidas, cielo y la tierra y declaró que cuando vivimos una vida en Cristo podemos imaginar un cielo nuevo y una tierra nueva. Nuevas posibilidades. Mejores relaciones con los demás. Una comunidad solidaria. Un lugar donde se cumplen todas las necesidades. Una visión de esperanza y posibilidades. Una visión que se basa en conceptos antiguos y los hace mejores. Esa es una imagen maravillosa para nosotros mismos... .que Dios quiere renovar. Dios quiere tomar lo que somos y tomar mejores versiones de lo que ya somos. Dios es ver el potencial y la posibilidad en cada uno de nosotros. Esta es la visión que Dios tiene para nuestras vidas. Cuando renovamos, nos imaginamos a nosotros mismos de manera diferente. Por lo tanto, ¿qué necesidad de renovar en su vida? ¿Es su imagen de sí mismo? ¿Su matrimonio? Su compromiso con un proyecto? Su relación con sus hijos jóvenes? Su relación con los padres de edad avanzada? Católica es un verbo. Lo que te renovará a vivir su vida como un verbo? Al final de la lectura escuchamos la promesa de que, "Dios les enjugará todas sus lágrimas de sus ojos, y ya no habrá  muerte ni duelo, ni penas ni llantos, porque ya todo lo antiguo término”. El que estaba sentado en el trono dijo: "Ahora yo voy a hacer nuevas todas las cosas." Ese es un promesa, Amén? Y así, lo que es el segundo verbo para hoy? RENOVAR

Y finalmente llegamos a nuestro último verbo. ¿Pueden ustedes recordar la palabra? AMAR. Una pequeña palabra con un significado de gran alcance, Amén? Gira a la persona a tu lado y decir: "Yo sé sobre el amor." Esta pequeña palabra puede ser tan difícil a veces, Amén? Si queremos ser un pueblo Pascual, tenemos que vivir nuestra fe católica como un verbo y amar a los demás, Amén? Jesús incluso va tan lejos como diciendo a sus discípulos que el amor no es una sugerencia, es un mandamiento! Un mandamiento! Así que los católicos tienen once mandamientos, Amén? Los diez mandamientos dados a Moisés por Dios y el undécimo mandamiento que nos ha dado Jesús: Ama unos a otros. Y Jesús simplemente no dice que el amor de una manera romántica. Él le dice a sus discípulos y nos dice: "Como yo los he amado, así ámense también ustedes los unos a los otros." Y cómo amó Jesús a sus discípulos? Vio las buenas cualidades en cada uno de ellos. Los perdonó cuando no entendían o no hicieron las cosas correctamente. Se mantuvo fiel a ellos cuando no eran fieles a él. Él dio su vida por ellos. Ahora que es una especie de amor, Amén? Eso es lo que el undécimo mandamiento se trata. Es un sacrificio de amor que no espera nada a cambio. ¡¡¡Caramba!! Al igual que cualquier otra cosa en la vida, el amor requiere práctica. A veces nos encanta así, y otras veces no lo hacemos. El tiempo de Pascua es un recordatorio de uno de los fundamentos de nuestra fe: AMAR. Si nos llamamos católicos y no lo hace el amor a otros, entonces somos mentirosos y los hipócritas, a continuación, deshonramos el nombre de Jesús. Sí, esas son palabras fuertes, pero la pequeña palabra de amor lleva a cabo tanto poder y la expectativa. Jesús nos mandó a amarnos unos a otros. No fue una sugerencia. Si hemos de ser católicos que son los verbos y los sustantivos entonces debemos poner nuestras palabras en acción, Amén? Y así, ¿cuál es el último verbo para hoy? AMAR

El tiempo de Pascua nos prepara para ser católicos que son sustantivos y verbos. Tenemos que ser a la vez en nuestra vida. El tiempo de Pascua es un tiempo de alegría, esperanza, posibilidades y promesas. La forma en que estas palabras se convierten en una realidad en nuestras propias vidas es si vivimos nuestra fe como verbos. Veremos la alegría, la esperanza, la posibilidad y promesa cuando COMPROMETERSE, RENOVAR y AMAR, AMEN? Esta es la temporada de la acción, lo que Uds. van a hacer hoy para ser una persona de acción? Cuando vivimos en Cristo, la acción no es un reto, sino un mandamiento, Amén? Ir y  hacer algo bueno para el Señor hoy!

Do You Love Me?

I know you all do, lol, but that was the question posed by Jesus to Peter today.  Today we celebrated the Third Sunday of Easter! Wow!!! Time is sure flying.

Last week was a busy week for me.  I had many meetings and this past weekend was our Education class which was held Friday eve from 5-8pm and Saturday from 9am-2pm.  Needless to say, by 3pm on Saturday my head is mush...actually the last hour of class is really difficult for me....trying to pay attention while my brain starts shutting down and I can't translate fast enough to keep up with things.  Yes, the struggles of my life here!

I head to the US on Tuesday.  I will be in St. Louis for Council meetings until Sunday.  I will get a chance to see the people in the parish and see members of my community as well.  On Sunday afternoon I head to Orlando to visit with my dad and my brother Jimmy and his family for 5 days.  I will be happy to see my dad who moved into an Assisted Living Center back in November.  I was there the week after he moved in, and now I am happy to say that he has made the adjustment to his new living space and I think he enjoys being there.  I will take him out a few times just to get him out of the place.  I will return to Mexico just in time for another Fri/Sat class!

On a personal note, I rejoined Weight Watchers (I can't count which time this is!!!!!) and have been slowly losing weight since the beginning of January.  It is hard here because the diet is not full of vegetables, but full of fried food and lot's of oil!  I have to make choices and for the most part I am doing well.  I'm not losing at a fast rate, but I am losing.  So far I am down 28 lbs.  I am part of a Memorial Day Challenge and I hope to lose at least 9 more pounds by Memorial Day.  It may not seem like a lot, but I have two big trips coming up and I don't always do well when I am away, so I am taking that into account as I press on with my weight loss.  Another difficulty for me is that I do not go to a gym.  Now, I've had a gym membership since I've been 23 years old, and I actually used it all the time!   So, I have to walk outside and close by there is a park that has some equipment where you just use your body weight as resistance.  So, I am not pumping iron, but I am getting some work out in.  I am also counting steps.  I downloaded an app that tells you your steps each day and how many calories you burned.  My goal is to walk 100,000 steps each week.  So far since I've started counting steps over the past 2 weeks, I've achieved my goal.  Not sure if I will hit the mark this week as I developed a blister on the bottom of my foot and it put me out of commission for almost 2 days.  When I was able to return to walking any distance, I had to adjust the number of steps I had in my daily goal until I was back to "normal".  I have changed my weight loss mentality from a sprint to a marathon.  I'm in it for the long haul and I will get there when I get there.  This is a big step for me and my competitive personality.  But, I have been down this path many times before and my former thinking did not bring me success....as they say, "What is the definition of insanity?"  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  In the words of Susan Powter (1993) : STOP THE INSANITY!

So, I am trying to physically get it together here, and that really helps with my emotional well being. It does help that the weather is good and I can do things outdoors.  I try to walk outside before it gets too hot here!

I hope all of you are doing well in your lives too.  I look forward to seeing each of you one day soon.  Until then,  all of us must answer the question for ourselves...."Do you love me?"

Homily Third Sunday of Easter

Morning Church! Happy Easter! Yes, we continue to celebrate the fifty days of this great season of Easter.  Are you still filled with joy?  If you have joy in your heart, turn to the person next to you and say, “I am full of joy”

Well, the word of God today gives us great reason to be filled with joy.  Today the Gospel invites us to reflect upon forgiveness and redemption.  Who here in this Church wants a second chance?  Who here in this Church ever made a mistake?  All of our hands should be raised, Amen? Well the Gospel today reminds us that Jesus can forgive anything and can take our shame away so that we can live our life as redeemed people.  That is Good News, Amen?

So, how does this happen?  Let’s go back in time a few weeks ago as we celebrated Good Friday.  Jesus was arrested and all of his disciples fled.  Jesus’ best friend and leader of the disciples, Peter, denied Jesus how many times?  Yes, three times.  Not just one time did he say that he did not know Jesus, he said it three times!  One time is a little mistake, but three times?  Peter knew what he was doing. Now think about your own life. Think about the person who means the most to you, your friend, your mother, your father, your wife, your husband.  Imagine that they denied knowing you three times to someone else.  Let me tell you, I would not be a happy or forgiving person if this happened to me.  But, Jesus is not me…thank God for that! Jesus gives Peter an opportunity to redeem himself that morning on the Sea of Galilee.  After fixing the disciples something to eat, Jesus and Peter engage in a dialogue.

Now, if I were Peter, I would be ashamed at my actions.  I would be ashamed at telling others that I did not know Jesus.  I would not even want to look Jesus in the eye.  I am sure that all of us in this Church have felt shame about something in our life, Amen?  Shame is a terrible feeling.  It is debilitating.  It prevents us from acting.  It prevents us from seeing things clearly.  Shame can cloud our vision of ourselves and of other people.  Jesus will not allow Peter to live in shame.  He wants to set Peter free of his shame.  So, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”  Three times is the same number of times that Peter denied Jesus.  Each response of Peter, “you know I love you Lord” wipes away each time Peter said, “I do not know the man.”  Wow! That is forgiveness, Amen?  That is redemption, Amen?  If this encounter between Jesus and Peter did not happen, we would never hear of the great things that Peter was able to do after Jesus ascended into heaven. The forgiven and redeemed Peter is a different man than the Peter we find at the end of the Gospels.  When shame is taken away, a person can walk taller, be more confident, and take more risks.  Peter does all of these things in the Acts of the Apostles.  The redeemed Peter is courageous and faithful.  That is what God wants for each of us.  God wants us to know and act like we are redeemed, Amen?

But, let’s go back to the dialogue between Jesus and Peter.  Something interesting happens between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus asks Peter, do you love me?  In Greek, Jesus uses the word agape, which is an unconditional love. Peter responds to Jesus, “ Yes Lord I do love you.”  Peter uses the Greek word for love, philo, which is more of a brotherly love.  In his resurrection, Jesus forgives Peter and invites him to a deeper kind of love than he knew before.  Jesus wants Peter’s unconditional love.  Peter continues to respond with brotherly love to Jesus.  But, we can see in the Acts of the Apostles, that Peter was willing to risk his life for the spread of the name of Jesus, that is agape love.  So, the redeemed and forgiven Peter is drawn more deeply into an intimate loving relationship with Jesus.  When we are redeemed and forgiven, that is the kind of love that Jesus wants us to express to him and to others in faith. 

Besides the word play on love, another interesting thing happens in the dialogue between Jesus and Peter.  After each time Jesus asks Peter if he loved him, Jesus responded, Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my lambs.  Interesting! Feeding and tending are the responses that Jesus wants from Peter.  Interesting that the approach with the lambs is feeding, and the approach with the sheep is tending.  So, while tending the flock is important, it is not the most important.  The most important thing is to feed the little ones.  In other words, to nurture them, to help them grow, the tending happens only after the lambs have been fed.  This is an interesting concept for me for leadership.  It is an interesting concept for leadership in the Church.  Feeding is more important than tending….the Church needs to be more involved with feeding than tending.  This is an interesting concept for leadership in a family.  Feeding is more important than tending.  Feed the little one’s so that later on you can pastor them.  The role of the leader is feeding and pastoring, and feeding is more important.  Jesus gives us a great example of how to be a leader in this Gospel, Amen?

So, today is about forgiveness and redemption, love and leadership.  So Church, Do you love Jesus? Feed his lambs.  Do you love Jesus? Pastor his sheep.  Do you love Jesus? Feed his lambs.  When we are forgiven, redeemed, fed and pastored, then we are an Easter people, and we are filled with joy, Amen?

Buenos días Iglesia! ¡Felices Pascuas! Sí, seguimos celebrando los cincuenta días de esta gran temporada de Pascua. ¿Todavía está lleno de alegría? Si ustedes tienen alegría en sus corazónes, gire a la persona a tu lado y decir: "Estoy lleno de alegría"

Bueno, la palabra de Dios hoy nos da una gran razón para estar lleno de alegría. Hoy el Evangelio nos invita a reflexionar sobre el perdón y la redención. Quien aquí en esta Iglesia quiere una segunda oportunidad? Quien aquí en esta Iglesia ha cometido un error? Todas nuestras manos debe plantearse, Amén? Bueno, el Evangelio de hoy nos recuerda que Jesús puede perdonar cualquier cosa y puede tomar nuestra vergüenza de distancia para que podamos vivir nuestra vida como pueblo redimido. Eso es una buena noticia, Amén?

Así que, ¿cómo sucede esto? Volvamos en el tiempo hace unas semanas ya que celebramos el Viernes Santo. Jesús fue arrestado y todos sus discípulos huyeron. El mejor amigo de Jesús y líder de los discípulos, Pedro, negó  a Jesús cuántas veces? Sí, tres veces. No sólo una vez te dijo que no conocía a Jesús, lo dijo tres veces! Una vez es un pequeño error, pero tres veces? Pedro sabía lo que estaba haciendo. Ahora piensen en sus propias vidas. Piensen en la persona que significa mucho para ustedes, su amigo, su madre, su padre, su esposa, su marido. Imagine que ellos negaron que saber tres veces a otra persona. Déjeme decirle, yo no sería una persona feliz o que perdona si esto me pasó a mí. Sin embargo, Jesús no soy yo... gracias a Dios por eso! Jesús da a Pedro la oportunidad de redimirse por la mañana en el Mar de Galilea. Después de fijar los discípulos algo de comer, Jesús y Pedro se involucran en un diálogo

Ahora, si yo fuera Pedro, estaría avergonzado de mis acciones. Me da vergüenza de decirles a otros que yo no conocía a Jesús. Incluso no desee ver a Jesús en el ojo. Estoy seguro de que todos nosotros en esta Iglesia han sentido vergüenza por algo en nuestra vida, Amén? La vergüenza es un sentimiento terrible. Es debilitante. Esto nos impide actuar. Se nos impide ver las cosas con claridad. La vergüenza puede nublar nuestra visión de nosotros mismos y de otras personas. Jesús no permitirá que Pedro a vivir en la vergüenza. Él quiere establecer Pedro gratuita de su vergüenza. Por lo tanto, Jesús pregunta a Pedro tres veces, "¿Me amas?" Tres veces son el mismo número de veces que Pedro negó a Jesús. Cada respuesta de Pedro, "usted sabe Te quiero Señor" borra cada vez que Pedro dijo: "No conozco al hombre." Wow! Es decir perdón, Amén? Esa es la redención, Amén? Si este encuentro entre Jesús y Pedro no fue así, nunca oír hablar de las grandes cosas que Pedro fue capaz de hacerlo después de que Jesús ascendió al cielo. El Pedro perdonado y redimido es un hombre diferente que el Pedro nos encontramos al final de los Evangelios. Cuando se quita la vergüenza, una persona puede caminar más alto, tener más confianza, y tomar más riesgos. Pedro hace todas estas cosas en los Hechos de los Apóstoles. El Pedro redimido es valiente y fiel. Eso es lo que Dios quiere para cada uno de nosotros. Dios quiere que sepamos y actuar como somos redimidos, Amén?

Pero, volvamos al diálogo entre Jesús y Pedro. Sucede algo muy interesante entre Jesús y Pedro. Jesús pregunta a Pedro, ¿me amas? En griego, Jesús usa la palabra ágape, que es un amor incondicional. Pedro responde a Jesús: "Sí Señor te quiero." Pedro usa la palabra griega para el amor, el filo, que es más de un amor fraternal. En su resurrección, Jesús perdona a Pedro y le invita a un tipo más profundo de amor de lo que sabía antes. Jesús quiere que el amor incondicional de Pedro. Pedro sigue respondiendo con amor fraternal a Jesús. Sin embargo, podemos ver en los Hechos de los Apóstoles, que Pedro estaba dispuesto a arriesgar su vida por la difusión del nombre de Jesús, que es el amor ágape. Por lo tanto, el Pedro redimido y perdonado se dibuja más profundamente en una relación amorosa íntima con Jesús. Cuando somos redimidos y perdonados, que es la clase de amor que Jesús nos quiere expresar a él ya otros en la fe.

Además del juego de palabras con amor, otra cosa interesante sucede en el diálogo entre Jesús y Pedro. Después de que cada vez que Jesús pregunta a Pedro si lo amaba, Jesús respondió: Apacienta mis corderos, pastorea a mis ovejas, apacienta mis corderos. ¡Interesante! La alimentación y el cuidado son las respuestas que Jesús quiere de Pedro. Es interesante que el enfoque con los corderos es la alimentación, y el acercamiento con las ovejas es pastorea. Así, mientras que detrás del ganado es importante, no es el más importante. Lo más importante es alimentar a los más pequeños. En otras palabras, para nutrir a ellos, para ayudarles a crecer, la pastorea ocurre sólo después de que los corderos han sido alimentados. Este es un concepto interesante para mí para el liderazgo. Es un concepto interesante para el liderazgo en la Iglesia. La alimentación es más importante que pastorea... la Iglesia tiene que estar más involucrados con la alimentación que pastorea. Este es un concepto interesante para el liderazgo en una familia. La alimentación es más importante que pastorea. Alimentar a la pequeña es para que después puedas pastor les. El papel del líder es la alimentación y pastorear, y la alimentación es más importante. Jesús nos da un gran ejemplo de cómo ser un líder en este Evangelio, Amén?

Por lo tanto, hoy es sobre el perdón y la redención, el amor y el liderazgo. Así Iglesia, ¿Ustedes aman a Jesús? Alimentar a sus corderos. ¿Ustedes aman a Jesús? El pastor a sus ovejas. ¿Ustedes aman a Jesús? Alimentar a sus corderos. Cuando somos perdonados, redimidos, alimentados en pastoreo y, a continuación, somos un pueblo Pascual, y estamos llenos de alegría, Amén?