Christmas Celebration: Celebration of Love

Love is the central core of Christian teaching. For us this love came to be expressed in one of the most wonderful stories of the New Testament: the nativity. In this simple, yet powerful, story we have been told how God came to be with us because of God’s great love for us. The story of God’s sacrificial love for creation (John 3:15-17) is what we in the Christian tradition call Christmas.

Therefore, as we think about our Christmas celebrations we need to come to terms with the fact that Christianity decided many years ago to substitute certain pagan holidays in the Roman Empire, and in northern Europe, with the celebration of Jesus’ birth. In that process many of the pagan’s observances found their way into our celebration of the birth of Christ, and I have no problem with that because that is part of the human experience (i.e., Christmas trees, ornaments, etc.). But we, the Christians of the 21^st Century, who have inherited this observance have forgotten that faith in the living Christ is not a cultural celebration but rather a life gripping commitment to live, be, and do like Jesus Christ. We do not get extra points on the proverbial “eternal crown” by being faithful observers of the Christmas holiday (or any holiday for that matter); we get our crowns by being faithful disciples of him who gave his life for us.

For the past 80 years we have been hearing people talk about putting Christ back into Christmas and as great as that sounds we must be wise about its meaning. What does it mean to put Christ back in Christmas? How many of us honor Jesus life and teachings during this season?

A season that should be one of the highest holidays of Christendom has become just a mere commercial enterprise where the only vestige of Christ left is in the name for the season: Christmas. At this point, of course, we start blaming the atheist, the secularist, the liberals, (media, pastors, politicians, etc.), store owners, and anyone else that we think has anything to do with the co-opting of the holiday. However, at the heart of the matter in this cultural war, which by the way we won centuries ago, is the fact that, if we really feel strongly about this high holiday it would show through our actions, through our way of being, through our commitments, through our love for each other, and not just for those who are like us, or those who think like us, but for everyone whom God loves. The Christmas story, and its observance, is not simply a way for us to remember Jesus’ birthday, but rather, the story of Christmas is a narrative that helps us realize what God has done for us, and what it means to be imitators of God in Jesus the Christ.

Do not be confused, I love Christmas. I love seeing the faces of my children, and all children for that matter, when they open their presents and play with their new things (toys, books, or other things). We have to come to terms with the fact that the Christmas celebration around the world has very little to do with Christ in our present celebration. Therefore, we have to come to terms with the fact that many people celebrate the season without any connection to Christ,  for many people is just one more nice justification to celebrate family, and community, which is fine; but it is nothing more!

However, for us, the followers of Jesus the Christ, the calling is different. We must teach our children that the reason for our celebration of Christmas is not the gifts we receive, since that is something we can do at any other time. We, the followers of Jesus the Christ, must teach the world that our celebration is to remember that God’s gift to the world in Jesus Christ is our reason for our joy and celebration. Christmas is a time to help the world believe in the one who is our savior, and our redeemer. And we do not do this by imposing our beliefs on others but by living out our faith in the living Christ. A faith that is manifested, as John Wesley reminds us in the General Rules of the Methodist Societies, by the way we treat each other, by the care we give each other.

It is therefore expected of all who continue [within these societies] that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind . . . ;

Secondly: By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all...:

To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison.

To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any [interaction] with

Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God…

Living as Christians during Christmas is not simply a celebration but rather it is about showing to the world that what we believe, what we proclaim to be true, makes a difference in the world. If we truly do no harm, if we truly do all the good we can to every one we can, we really live the Christian way. Let us show to the world the Christ that has been born in us so that the world may believe in the gift that God has brought through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

One God, one Lord: How Paul redefines monotheism | The Christian Century

One of the best theological minds of this generation brings some new ideas about Paul, theology, and monotheism. Enjoy a great read.
One God, one Lord: How Paul redefines monotheism | The Christian Century

Basic Principles of the Kingdom of God

There are so many topics that one can choose to write about in the church, in personal life, in the life of the nation. There are so many happenings in the Conference, in the State, and in the Nation. We have many decisions to make at the personal, local, and national levels in order for our communities to continue to move forward. Some decisions will be bad, and some will be good. We can only pray that the decisions we (and our leaders) will make will be based on ethical values that are consistent with the ethics of the Kingdom of God. We must always keep in mind that our lives must reflect the image of God so that those who look at us can see through us the God claimed us.

If we believe that God is with us and in us, if we believe that Jesus Christ leads our lives, that we are moved by the Holy Spirit, then our way of being must be congruent with the Gospel that Jesus preached and taught; the Good News that Paul preached and taught.

The Kingdom of God presents us with some basic principles that we must keep in mind when making decisions that are based on God’s will. The first principle is love: to love God with all our hearts, with all our strengths, and with all our minds. Of course, an integral part of this principle is to love every human being as we love ourselves. The second principle is justice: to act justly, to be just. In our dealings with everyone around us we are called to see all human beings as equal in the sight of God, which means that we are to treat everyone without regards of race, national origin, immigration status, gender, class, or sexual orientation. We do not have to agree with people’s behaviors but must make sure that everyone be protected by our laws, and be treated with the same care and concern we want people to treat us. Our actions and attitudes are not always going to be on par with the laws of the land, this will be a tension that Christians in any country in the world must confront because our final allegiance must be to our God.

The third principle of the Kingdom of God is hope: to live with a sense of God’s will that a better world is possible. A world where human relations are based on people’s needs instead of people’s desires, a world where people care for everyone because they see in each other the image of God, the promise that a better world is possible because God is in the world. The fourth principle is peace: to do and to promote peace in the world but not just any peace. The Lord wants that the peace we promote in the world community be a peace that looks at the needs of all human beings and not a peace that will benefit some at the expense of others; a peace that promotes security and development, a peace where everyone has work which promotes self sufficiency and independence.

With these Kingdom principles in mind, we must strive to make decisions that are Godly and righteous decisions. These principles lead us to open the doors of our church to everyone. But not only that, by being disciples of Christ we are called to go further, we are called to go out into our communities and invite people to come in, to reach out to people in our neighborhoods and invite them to be part of our faith community of God’s household. In simple terms: to share the grace and love of God with everyone we meet, and where distinctions made based on race, sexual orientation, theological or ideological ideas, gender, or status are not the focus.

If we want our churches to live the principles of God’s Kingdom, if we want our faith communities to be expressions of God’s beloved community, communities that show the diversity in our neighborhoods; we must be willing and open to “love the stranger.” That is to say, we are called to receive in our midst whomever the stranger might be, whether they speak English or not, look like us or not, eat different foods than we do, sing songs different from ours, or are different in any other way.

In order for us to bring into our circle of faith “the stranger,” God’s strangers, we must be willing widen the circle to include everyone God has already called in. No one is left out!

Next time I would like to explore how these principles connect with the three simple rules of the Methodist Societies: Do no harm, Do all the good you can, and observe all the ordinances of God.

Starting a conversation on Christian stewardship

Last month I wrote about how God wants ABUNDANT life for all of us. Indeed, I do not need to retract from making that statement for I truly believe God desires that every human being on the face of this planet experiences abundant life; life that is full and is lived to its fullness. As part of that abundant life that God desires for us is God’s desire for us to use the resources we have received from God in a manner that is consistent with God’s will, and our commitment to God. We usually refer to this in the Christian tradition as Stewardship.

Given the fact that I have decided to focus my messages for the month of September on Discipleship at Trinity United Methodist Church in Frederick, Maryland, I thought that it would be appropriate to open the conversation with a subject that is intrinsically connected: Stewardship.

Let me just say that as I start that I do not think that I have much to teach anyone about the subject, for I think people already know plenty about it, but as a pastor I must address this matter. In the first place let me say that for Disciples of Christ, stewardship is an integral part of our identity. Stewardship is not about giving money (although it involves some of that), it is not about bequests, and it is not about raising funds either. Stewardship is a way of life; for to be a Good Steward means a life commitment to God’s purpose and desire. Indeed, stewardship is part of a life of holiness.

Here John Wesley has some great points to contribute in this conversation. In his sermon on The Good Steward, Wesley tells us that a good steward is one that is “is not at liberty to use [wealth and resources] as [they] please, but as [their] master pleases. [They have] no right to dispose of anything which [they possess], but according to the will of [their] Lord. For [none of us are] the proprietor of any of these things, but barely entrusted with them by another; and entrusted on this express condition, -- that [we] shall dispose of all as [our] master orders. Now, this is exactly the case of every [human being], with relation to God.”

Indeed, as stewards of God’s resources, we have been entrusted with all the things we have so that we might use them to supply for our needs and the needs of others. So Wesley continues: “We are not at liberty to use what [God] has lodged in our hands as we please, but as [God] pleases, who alone is the possessor of heaven and earth, and the Lord of every creature. We have no right to dispose of anything we have, but according to [God’s] will, seeing we are not proprietors of any of these things; they are all, as our Lord speaks, allotria, belonging to another person; nor is anything properly our own, in the land of our pilgrimage. – (See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-51-The-Good-Steward#sthash.4QEbTbw1.dpuf).

Indeed, everything we have: wealth, influences, education, intellect, abilities, etc. Everything belongs to God. You can see how this changes our conversation of stewardship, if everything belongs to God, and I have been entrusted with all these things by God, then stewardship is not a mere ten percent of my wealth (as in tithing), stewardship is a life commitment to live a life that is holy to the Lord; a life that is worthy of the Lord. Stewardship then is about giving back to God that which belongs to God in the first place. As Hebrews states: “Everything belongs to God, and all things were created by his power” (2:10).

Wesley uses this sermon to explain that we as God’s Stewards (as disciples of Christ) are not the owners of what God entrust to us, but temporary custodians. This applies to our souls, bodies, possessions, time, abilities and opportunities.  In this sermon, Wesley states, that there will be a day of great judgment, a day when we are to give our final accountability on the use of the resources God has placed in our hands. On that day may our “books” be in order with God.

Saint Augustine had the same understanding we see in Wesley, that is why he said: “Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.”

Let me end with a quote from Randy Alcorn the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries, which I believe will bring the concept of stewardship home: “When I save, I lay something aside for future need. If I sense God's leading, I will give it away to meet greater needs. When I hoard, I'm unwilling to part with what I've saved to meet others' needs, because my possible future needs outweigh their actual present needs. I fail to love my neighbor as myself” (from Money, Possessions and Eternity). Indeed, God’s abundance in our lives is given so that we can provide for our needs, and for the needs of those whom our God loves.

May you be able to live in God’s abundance and grace.

Pensamiento Cristiano Revolucionario de America Latina y el Caribe

This is one of the most influential books in my theological journey. A real gem to be cherish and pass along. Regrettably the book has not been translated into English (although it has been translated into several other languages). Go figure!

This is a powerful testimony on the theological reflection people from Latin America and the Caribbean have done in order to respond faithfully to God's call to live out the Kingdom of God, the Ruling of God in our communities, our country, and the world. The author has made it available to people all over the world, and it should be read widely. Although the book deals with Latin America and the Caribbean particularly, it is an analysis that impacts how we read and interpret the Bible, and our theological preconceptions of the faith.

Download the book and enjoy the reading, you will not regret it.

Pensamiento Cristiano Revolucionario en America Latina y el Caribe
www.ensayistas.org/critica/liberacion/varios/silvagotay.pdf

TRANSFORMANDO VIDA: Marx y la ‘teología de la liberación’

Este es un buen articulo sobre la critica Marxista a la religion seguida por la contribucion de la teologia de la liberacion a la conversacion. Disfruten el articulo y compartanlo.
TRANSFORMANDO VIDA: Marx y la ‘teología de la liberación’: La crítica que realiza la teología de la liberación al cristianismo tradicional está, como se verá, plenamente justificada en varios aspe...

LiberalEvangelical.org - LiberalEvangelical.org

For those of you who share the concerns lifted by what seems a contradiction in terms LiberalEvangelical.org - LiberalEvangelical.org. I think this is a nice site to look at and pay attention. Check it out. Maybe there is a possible expanding of the conversation in the Christian family. Enjoy it!

Finding the Connection Between Prosperity, Compassion and Happiness | PBS NewsHour | June 20, 2013 | PBS

Powerful report! Need to listen and share. Is prosperity really what makes us happy, what gives meaning to our lives? Incredible that what we have been saying for a long time research supports. Compassion, caring for one another truly makes the difference in real happiness. Enjoy it and share.

Finding the Connection Between Prosperity, Compassion and Happiness | PBS NewsHour | June 20, 2013 | PBS

Ministry Matters™ | Articles | Superman and Faith

This article is a great article on Superman and Faith, especially for someone who grew-up with Superman as the greatest hero ever. Knowing the story behind the comic strip is even better than the mythology. In the article the author give us some insights into the mind of the creators of the Superman mythology and helps us visualize that what Superman stood for (a better world, a world of peace and justice reigns) is possible. Which makes perfect sense if we accept God's call for all of us, that "we might become the righteousness of God" (the justice of God, as it reads in Spanish). We might not be Superhumans but we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to safe the world, to be agents of God's transforming power and grace. Indeed, empowered by the God to be God's presence in the midst of the world's chaos. As Paul reminds us "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2Co. 5:19-21).

By the way, the author does not mentioned this but "Kal-el" (Superman's Kryptonian name means "vessel of God." Enjoy and share.

Ministry Matters™ | Articles | Superman and Faith

Memory, Identity and the Fourth of July - Lisa Sharon Harper | God's Politics Blog | Sojourners

Another powerful article worth reading and sharing. A sensitive critique of America's meta-story of exceptionalism. Read and share. Blessings,
Memory, Identity and the Fourth of July - Lisa Sharon Harper | God's Politics Blog | Sojourners

Documento de los martes. Hans Küng. | Ecupres

Este articulo escrito por el teologo Aleman Hnas Kung es uno muy acertado y adecuado para el momento que vive la iglesia Catolico Romana. Si lo que propone Kung aqui lo comenzara a trabajar el Papa Francisco veriamos un renacer en la Cristiandad del siglo XXI. Leanlo y compartanlo. Disfrutenlo!

Documento de los martes. Hans Küng. | Ecupres

The Christian Humanist Blog - powered by FeedBurner

Check this publication out. I think they provide great points of conversation and challenging many traditional and non-traditional preconceptions about life and faith.
The Christian Humanist Blog - powered by FeedBurner

Along for the journey: Trusting God.

Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May every year. But it is not the only celebration of the month. In May we have Memorial Day, Asian Pacific American Month, Older Americans Month, National Family Month, National Teachers’ Day, Cinco de Mayo celebration (the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, Mexico, in 1862), and many other celebrations.

As you can tell there are many things for which we ought to be thankful during the month of May, many celebrations that are also changing the way we see ourselves, our church, our communities, and our country. Indeed, the fact that our country has grown to include people from all over the world is a reality that is reflected in some of our own families. This diverse presence, it is my belief, has been a blessing to us all especially for those families that are connected by marriage, friendships, and faith. Indeed, I believe that God has embarked us in a very special journey.

This reminds me of a story I read recently about Albert Einstein (by the way the same story is told with Mark Twain as the character), the brilliant physicist and originator of the theory of relativity. The story says that Einstein was traveling from Princeton on a train, and when the conductor came down the aisle to punch the passengers’ tickets, Einstein couldn’t find his. He looked in his vest pocket, in his pants pocket, and in his briefcase, but there was no ticket. The conductor was gracious; “ Don’t worry, Dr. Einstein, I know who you are, we all know who you are, and I’m sure you purchased a ticket.”

As the conductor moved down the aisle, he looked back and noticed Einstein on his hands and knees, searching under the seat for his ticket. He returned to Einstein and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. You don’t need a ticket, I’m sure you bought one at the depot.” Einstein rose and said, Young man, I too know who I am; what I don’t know is where I am going.”

Indeed, sometimes we feel like Einstein, troubled and confused because we do not know where we are going, where is our church going, where is our country going. We want to know where, how, and when we are going. We want to be in control of everything, we try it with our own lives, with our children’s lives, just to succumb to the realization that life is more complex and unpredictable than we anticipated. And, like in Einstein’s case, we find ourselves in the conundrum where we “do not know where we are going.” For me this is a God moment, a moment where we come to the realization that we need to learn to trust God, let go, and enjoy the ride that God has set before us. This is a ride that has ups and downs, a ride that will be curvy, sometimes filled with potholes, sometimes sandy, or muddy, but always bringing a new blessing.

This month we are celebrating one of the most honored days in the year: Mother’s day. Indeed, it is a day that will be filled with many celebrations, celebrations that will be as varied and diverse as the people we are becoming, for we are indeed becoming still. And we will become something even better than what we are, for in this journey I believe God is with us.

If we open ourselves to God, you and I can be part of making our church, our communities, and our country even better than what we have been. God, indeed, wants the best for each and every one of us; as a matter of fact God wants the best for the entire creation, and we can be part of making that a reality in the name of Jesus the Christ.

You might not know where you are going, but God, who is our conductor, knows who we are and where we are going. Let us trust him with the journey, let us open ourselves to the possibilities of what God is doing, for, as the old Negro spiritual says: 

He’s got the whole world in His hands…
He’s got you and me, sister…

He’s got you and me, brother

Indeed, we are already in the journey as the other spiritual says: “through many dangers, toils and snares [we] have already come, ‘Tis grace hath brought [us] safe thus far, and grace will lead [us] home” (Amazing Grace). 

Whether we have a “ticket” for the journey or not, if we trust God, our conductor, God knows where our final destination is. Let us trust God with the journey.

The Irish Slave Trade – The Forgotten “White” Slaves

I believe you are going to enjoy this article on a subject hardly discussed around our communities. Share it with friends. Great topic of conversation.
The Irish Slave Trade – The Forgotten “White” Slaves

The Evangélico Boom - HuffPost Live

The Evangélico Boom - HuffPost Live

Our Call as Disciples of Christ

Last month we observed one of the most sacred seasons in the Christian calendar: Lent. We observed Ash Wednesday, Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the greatest celebration of the Christian year: Resurrection Sunday (or as it is better known, Easter).

During this season we have come to pray, we have studied the scriptures, we have practiced fasting (at least some of us!), and we have worshiped together. We have been reminded again and again that this season is the most sacred time of the Christian year; during this time we have been challenged to remember Jesus’s sufferings and death on the cross, as well as the resurrection – without which, as Paul says, there would be no hope (1Co. 15:1-19).

Indeed, we are a resurrection people, a people who live under the cover of Christ’s death and life:

In the same way, my friends, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4).

Yes, we are the people of the resurrection! On the other hand, we are also the people of the cross, we are the people who Jesus called to take-up our cross (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23), just like the one he carried. 

Some preachers and teachers have sold us the doctrine that the people of the resurrection do not have to take up their cross because Jesus did that for us already. Somehow in some churches people are being taught that to take-up our cross is like salvation through works-righteousness instead of by grace. But nothing can be further from the truth. To take up the cross was the sign Jesus required those who followed him if they were to become real DISCIPLES.

Paul helps us understand this when he declares:

“For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5). And again,

“If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering” (2 Corinthians 1:6). Yet, again,

“For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—” (Philippians 1:29). Finally,

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

This desire to eliminate suffering as part of the Christian experience has been with us for a long time. Many Christians in the Middle Ages confused this idea of suffering with flagellation, with mortification of the body, as if that was going to grant them greater access to the divine, or as a way to sanctifying themselves before God. Clearly, that is not what Jesus or Paul had in mind. This perversion of the understanding of suffering became a tool of people living in privilege and with power within the church, to move many in the church to focus away from Jesus’ way, and into a worldly faith which focused instead in a distant heaven, and away from the people Jesus came to proclaim the good news: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” Or as he tells John’s disciples: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them” (Luke 7:22). Yes, Jesus’ mission was to bring the message of God’s redemption (of God’s reconciliation -2Co. 5:18-19) to the masses of people in the world who are suffering, who are being oppressed, exploited, marginalized, discriminated against, excluded, those who have little or nothing to eat, etc. Therefore, to take one’s cross is not merely a metaphorical expression. Jesus has asked us to take his “yoke,” which brings with it the reality of suffering and pain as we find it in the world.

Although Jesus’ message has universal consequences, it is clear that Jesus had a clear audience in mind, as the verses above show. This segment of the population today represents more than 80 percent of the population of the world. As a matter of fact they are the 80% of the human race living on less than $10 a day. (see Global Issues: http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/ poverty-facts-and-stats). If we add those who live on $20 a day the percentage will grow even larger.

It is to the exploited and excluded of this world to whom Jesus says: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

The “burden” might be “light” but it is still a burden. Suffering and the conditions that maintain poverty have not yet been eliminated from the world. But we, who proclaim Jesus, must take the task that Jesus began (Ephesians 2:10). In order to do this we need to have faith, and we must love each other just as God loves us. However, we must also pray, study God’s word together, worship together, and truly recognize ourselves as the body of Christ on earth, as Paul declared: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Let us rise-up to God’s call, and as people filled with God’s Spirit let us make a difference. For we “can do all things through him who strengthens” us (Philippians 4:13). Amen!

Celebration of Diversity

March is a month, like every month, with celebrations up-the-wazoo. Last month we observed Black History Month, a celebration that helped us focus on the contributions that people of African descent have made to the United States’ culture and heritage; no one can deny that we would not be the people we are today without the contributions of Black people in American society. However, usually people respond to this observance with the question: But how about Italian, Irish, German, English, etc., heritage months? Well, what about it? Let’s see. In March we celebrate:

• Irish American Month
• National Irish American Heritage Month- designated by Congress in 1995.
• National Women's History Month

Just to name a few of the things we celebrate.

You see, the fact of the matter is that many groups have had celebrations during different months of the year for many years, we just hardly ever hear about them. So besides January, February, and March, which we know what is celebrated in those months, we have April as Scottish American Month, May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (as well as Jewish American Heritage Month), June is Caribbean American Heritage Month, July is American Heritage day, a day to celebrate all the people who have made the United States the place it is. From September 15 to October 15 is German Heritage Month (as well as Hispanic Heritage Month), October is Italian Heritage Month as well as Polish Heritage Month, November is Native American Heritage Month, and December is the month to celebrate human rights around the world.

If there is something you can see from this list of celebrations/observances is that we already are a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural people. Some of us want to maintain ethnic and cultural supremacy as if that is a positive thing. But the reality is that in this shrinking world we have to come to terms with the reality that we all come from so many backgrounds, from so many different places, some of us have been in this country longer than others (although longevity has not been a guarantee of acceptance, as is the case with African Americans, Native Americans, and others). Some of us have always been here, some of us just got here, but what makes us all special is that we are all together under the same “roof.” We must come to terms with the reality that unity is possible in diversity. As Michael Novak stated some years ago: “Unity in diversity is the highest possible attainment of a civilization, a testimony to the most noble possibilities of the human race. This attainment is made possible through passionate concern for choice, in an atmosphere of social trust. (Michael Novak, epigraph opening Unity in Diversity: An Index to the Publications of Conservative and Libertarian Institutions [1983]).

This idea of unity in the midst of diversity is one of the most significant messages that the Gospel presents to us. Indeed, although we come from every possible place on the face of the earth we all share the household that God had built for us. As in American society, we, in the church, also struggle with our own issues of inclusion and exclusion. We in the church also struggle with issues of acceptance and rejection. We have been struggling with who is in and who is out, who is one of us and who is not.

Notwithstanding, the liberating agenda of the Kingdom of God help us understand that under God’s roof, in God’s household, “we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another (Rom. 12:5). Indeed, even when there was a time when we had been divided/separated, that ought to be no more, for Paul reminds us that:

“at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” “In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” (Eph. 2:11-14, 21-22).

Indeed, my beloved, ALL of us are a part of God’s arrangement. We are called to welcome each other (Heb. 13:1-3), to work with each other, to love each other, to help each other until WE ALL come to “the stature of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). This is why Paul would say to the Church in Ephesus:

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,³ making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4:1-3).

This is not something we work on our own, the Holy Spirit has empowered us, has gifted us to achieve this unity, unity in diversity of languages, cultures, and ideologies; as Paul states:

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-13).

Therefore, let us celebrate each other’s histories and heritages, let us celebrate those who are different, let us in love build each other up, enrich each other, be a blessing to each other, for that is the will of God for all of us under God’s roof.