Some Advent Considerations (Part I)
In the beginning was the Word, who was not only with God, but was God; an eternal mystery that tells us about the most complete and beautiful relationship of all, love.
In the beginning was the Word, who was not only with God, but was God; an eternal mystery that tells us about the most complete and beautiful relationship of all, love.
Uno de los temas que más ha ocupado las agendas de diálogo político y filosófico, es el de la paz. Durante muchos años, el ser humano ha intentado definirla, pero sobre todo, traerla a la práctica. Estos son en primera instancia muy buenos intentos que de alguna manera han logrado que los hombres y mujeres procuremos caminar en vía contraria a la violencia.
As we are getting into the Advent season, we can take this opportunity to reflect on the meanings of a God who decides to become as a human being and embody the Word (John 1). Perhaps, we can read that Word incarnate through the life that was lived by Jesus, the carpenter of Galilee.
Padre, Perdónalos porque no saben lo que hacen
Esto nos habla, entre otras cosas, de nuestra relación con los demás. Los pecadores, los hermanos (similares), los líderes religiosos y los gobernantes.
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing – Luke 23:34
This prayer concerns, among other things, our relationships with others. Sinners, brothers and sisters, religious leaders, and rulers.
Usar la frase “en el nombre de Jesús”, se ha convertido en una muletilla evangélica que no puede ignorarse en ninguna oración, declaración, decreto, predicación, evento, sermón, etc. Durante muchos años, se ha creído que esta frase tiene cierta carga mística o poderosa en el mundo espiritual, y su desuso puede provocar que las oraciones no sean efectivas, o sencillamente ignoradas.
Using the phrase “in the name of Jesus,” has become a Christian catchphrase that cannot be ignored in any prayer, declaration, decree, preaching, event, sermon, etc. For many years, it has been believed that this phrase has a certain mystical or powerful charge in the spiritual world, and its misuse can cause prayers to be ineffective, or simply ignored by God.
Abrazando mi ateo interior, me percato de algunas situaciones que quisiera se consideraran:
Si bien Dios es el mismo ayer hoy y siempre, en el Antiguo Testamento leemos que él es demasiado violento. Así se manifiesta en todas las guerras en las que ordenaba aniquilar pueblos enteros sin tener piedad de nadie (a propósito, no se encuentra mucha diferencia entre estos textos y el actuar en la actualidad de argunos grupos extremistas religiososde Oriente Medio).
In this scenario, Jesus comes up with a very interesting and revolutionary message for his time. He intends to introduce the image of God as the Father among the Jews. Let us remember that when Jesus walked in First Century Palestine, the entire territory was under the rule of Rome, achieved through war and barbarism.
Welcome to Trinity...
Where the invisible throw shadows,
the weak lead, the silent are heard,
and the pushed aside
are called into the center
where they are listened to,
lifted up and loved.
Whoever you are, you are welcome here!
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