On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:1-5

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:18

“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” If I am not mistaken, this was the name of the book. I bought it as a young man, at an age when my faith was revitalized or born again as some might say. I was keen to know that there were concrete facts to prove that Jesus rose from the dead. I never surpassed the first two chapters. I made several attempts at reading this book over the years. It never conquered my interest. I came to a verdict about the book but it was far from what the author expected.

As I matured in my faith, I realized that there is nothing duller than inventing logical arguments to prove the Resurrection. I have never met anyone who said, “Now I believe after hearing your convincing words.” No mere mortal words can express the eternal event of the Resurrection. No elegant persuasive arguments can do justice to such a remarkable occurrence except perhaps the powerful words of Mary Magdalene. They were plain and simple but they never fail to bring hope and joy to our souls. “I have seen the Lord.”

Of course, the disciples did not believe her immediately. They are right to do so. No one should believe such a marvelous truth just because of someone’s words. They had to see the Lord for themselves. Nevertheless, Mary’s words brought comfort to their souls, giving them hope that they too could share the same encounter. Thanks be to God, they are joy and comfort for our souls as well; we too can see the Lord in a real sense just like them. Of course, this complicates things. The word, real, I mean. Well, faith helps us to see reality, albeit many charlatans have misused and abused faith. Regardless of this, we need faith to open our hearts to see reality.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt in your philosophy.” William Shakespeare, Hamlet

We have a very dear friend who once told us at our dinner table that she no longer believed in God. She was an evangelical Christian before. She worked in an institute dealing with trauma victims. Daily she dealt with many heart wrenching circumstances causing her to doubt the God of her upbringing. Furthermore, she found it hard to fathom an order in all this chaos. It is quite understandable. Nonetheless, recently we had lunch with the same friend in her home and she expressed a change of heart. She continues to work in the same field but among the people living in extreme poverty. She deals with the same problems as before but their social status adds another dimension to the pain and sufferings. This time she noticed that no matter what happens faith remains in the hearts of the people. She is also of Afro-Brazilian descent and has been reading about her ancestors suffering the horrors of slavery in the Americas and yet even in these narratives, the faith element was strong. Furthermore, there were many things happening around her making her doubt her own skepticism. She realizes that perhaps there is something real beyond what her previous philosophy informed her. Her eyes and ears are opened. She is looking for the Resurrected Christ but perhaps not in the traditional way. Maybe she doesn’t even know it. It is not important. She is on the right road and eventually she will see the Resurrected Lord walking by her side. This is our hope and the meaning of this blessed morning. He is alive and not distant from our reality.

Mary Magdalene’s announcement to the disciples opened a new possibility. In the face of dire hopelessness and abandonment, there is now the hope of abundant Life. However, we cannot believe until we encounter the Risen Christ. He is the source of our faith, not the empty tomb. We need to avail ourselves to meet Him. He has not changed His modus operandi. He is doing what He did in the gospels but now He is not restricted by time nor space. He has extended his scope. Now, He is in the world. He has resurrected so that He can be in the world forever among those who struggle and suffer for Life… His presence is everywhere. He invites us to meet Him in a real way. Well, sometimes we might walk past Him. Sometimes we might be too busy checking our phones and listening to our music that we miss an opportunity to meet Him. Sometimes we walk past the Lord and even ignore Him. He could be the one walking next to us. I believe it happened once to some of the disciples if memory doesn’t fail me. The Resurrected Christ manifests Himself in the lives of people more oft than not in the least likely person. The first person is to see Him was Mary Magdalene: a woman! Of all the women, not the best choice according to Jesus’ time. There were eleven apostles that Jesus could have appeared to at first but only the women went to the tomb. They availed themselves to be in a place where they could meet the Resurrected Christ.

Several years ago, well, I think maybe about 8 years ago to be precise, we had an encounter with a young woman for a very brief moment in our home. It was so brief that I can not recall her name. However, I do not believe that I will forget her. She was an acquaintance of a friend. She is a timid and petite young woman, a perfect candidate to be ignored in this city which has no time for anyone who does not assert their presence. Her young life was one filled with pain and suffering. She shared a household with a predatory relative. For years, she was abandoned and suffered in silence. She had no religious upbringing and knew very little about the Bible. Nevertheless, there was one in her room. She picked it up when she was taunted by suicidal thoughts and started with the gospels. Suddenly, the person of Jesus became real to her. She drew strength and comfort from Him and sensed a new zest for Life. Her situation did not change immediately. She suffered for a long painful period but her life was transformed. The light of Christ came into her heart in the darkest moment of her life. Her story did not bring her to a church. Instead it made her sensitive to the real presence of the Lord. She continues to heal from her wounds. In the meantime she never fails to give testimony that He has visited her.

Thankfully Mary Magdalene’s testimony alerted the disciples to look for the Lord among the living. Immediately, they went out into the world looking for Him. Easter invites us to do the same. If we avail ourselves to listen and look for Him, He will manifest Himself. It will not be in a form of a doctrine nor an argument. These are the dullest means to know about the Resurrection. Jesus resurrected to give us Life. We cannot say that we believe in the Resurrection until we can say with conviction, “I have seen the Lord.”

Have a Blessed Easter. Enjoy your meals and time with your loved ones. We will do the same but on Monday, we are going to the streets to look for the Risen Christ. I am sure that He is present wherever you may be. He will show Himself to you. All we need to do is to make ourselves available to meet Him. Each of us have to discover for ourselves what this means. No matter what happens, we know that we have a reason to be joyful in this world.

He is risen! Alleluia!

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” John 19:1-6

I never considered myself a pacifist even though it is appealing. I do not know much about its arguments except for the obvious. I find it strange to consider myself part of a movement or an idea without knowing anything about the details. However, one thing is for sure. In the world, people believe and act as if violence is the best way forward. It is not just because of the recent war. This is just a symptom. We have grown accustomed to violence. Most of time we willingly welcome its devious presence into our homes without any qualms. We allow our children to be discipled by it. In most movies, the so-called good personality often commits mass murders and we end up rooting for him or her. We are expected to admire these so-called heroes. Of course, there are the apologists. They argue that violence is necessary in some situations. They are right according to the values of the world. However, today we stand at the foot of the Cross. The person hanging on it refused to listen to the values of the world. He resisted His final temptation on the Cross. He refused to act in violence even though He would have been justified to do so. Jesus was not a pacifist. He is the New Creation. Therefore, we reflect on this sacred day whether new wine can be stored in an old wineskin. Jesus made a stand against violence and we need to consider our attitude towards it. We can not be neutral neither can we have the best of both worlds. The Cross demands a decision.

Jesus had opportunities. Peter drew his sword and inflicted pain. Jesus had to remind Him that He came to heal and not to destroy. Jesus refused the weapon of death. His disciples felt lost and impotent. They were by no means cowards. Furthermore, they would not have been with Him at this moment if they were. They were confused. Jesus rejected the use of violence and they just did not know how to defend someone without it. It was the only language they knew. It was the language which had been taught to them their whole lives. On the Cross, a new language is given to this world. For those who have ears, it is heard clearly.

I am no stranger to violence. I am not naive. I do not live in a fantasy world. I had a strange relationship with it. I was once fascinated with it and then I witnessed many unpleasant scenes. Now they haunt me in a repulsive manner. I also sensed an anger rising within me each time I see an innocent person suffer. Sometimes the victim is one of the children and some times it is our children committing acts of violence against an innocent person. Immediately, in my soul, there is a sense of hatred for the perpetrator. I desire revenge and punishment. Then I realize that I am not any different from the one committing acts of violence. I am still engaging the demon. I am just perpetuating its presence in this world. The Cross challenges me to abandon it altogether. It is an unsettling thought. It means giving up feeling secure albeit with a false security. Violence generates more violence and never peace and security.

I am challenged at the foot of the Cross to rethink everything. I used to think that violence was necessary in some circumstances. I heard it said and used it myself, “a necessary evil”. However, Jesus calls us to walk in the Light. Therefore, can Light have kinship with darkness? If we think that we need the tools of darkness to survive in this world, then are we not succumbing to its will? Jesus remained silent on the matter. It was not an omission on His part. It was an outright rejection. He refused to participate. He paved the way for a new way of thinking. However, apologists of violence still argue that in some circumstances, violence is justified. This is exactly what the High Priest believed. He thought that Jesus was going to cause the demise of the nation. Consequently, violence was the only way to eliminate Him. What about the tyrants of this world? Something needs to be done to stop them. Well, Jesus told someone who wanted to be his disciple these wise words,

“Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60

Some thought that Jesus deserved it; He had it coming. This is another attitude which violence fosters within us. We blame the victim for the violence they have suffered. When someone gets robbed, people say that the victim should have been more careful. If a young girl gets raped… Recently a Congolese refugee in Rio was brutally beaten and murdered in broad daylight. He worked in a kiosk at a popular beach for three days and asked the owner to pay him. He was refused his pay and the owner set his security guards on him. He was killed for asking for what was due to him. One person told me that the victim did not even have a criminal record, meaning that if he had one, then he had deserved this violence.

At the Cross, we see what a culture of violence is capable of doing. It blinds people and hardens their hearts. There are some that might still insist that some good comes out of violence. Well, “good” and “bad” are relative terms. If we judge them by the standard of the world, then this argument works. However, at the foot of the Cross, we are confronted with another reality. The New Creation manifests itself in the person of Jesus. You will never find any words He uttered to justify violence or promote it. In the Old Testament, we are given ample examples to construct a convincing argument. However, our faith begins at the foot of the Cross. He sets the example for us to follow. He was struck in the face and he never retaliated. He was humiliated but he never said anything to subject Himself to the standards of his tormentors. We are asked to be like our Master and Lord.

Those who crucified Him truly believed that they were doing something right. Yes, the world has good arguments for violence. However, it is not the ways of the world which concern us. It is the person of Jesus. We can stand this Good Friday at the foot of the Cross and suffer with Christ or take the side of those who think sometimes people should suffer. We can not be on both sides. Jesus beckons us to see the world from the point of the suffering, regardless of the circumstances or situations which provoked it. Therefore, should a Christian consider violence as a legitimate form of action? When we allow violence to come into our homes through entertainment, do we not become accomplices of those who stood and mocked Jesus as He suffered all kinds of tortures? If we think violence can produce good in this world, then we are in agreement with the High Priest who persecuted Jesus and eventually the disciples.

We are salt of the world, but if salt loses it saltiness, then it serves no purpose at all.

As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Luke 19:37-40

It was a quiet night. Mary and I were talking in the bedroom and all of a sudden, we heard two loud sounds. They were unmistakable. They were gun shots. After a short pause, we heard the third one. I looked out of the window. A thief laid dead on the ground. I believed that I have already shared this before a year ago, perhaps when it happened but I want to share it again today on Palm Sunday. The day’s celebrations reminded me of this event. Nevertheless, one never forgets such moments. The poor soul who lost his life for a mere twenty dollars. This is the street value for a used mobile phone. Then on the same night, I read the news about a scoundrel who calls himself a pastor telling his congregation that God wanted them to buy him a new personal jet because he had to travel first class with common people. Then, last week, we saw a group of policemen stealing money in broad daylight. They did nothing to hide this fact. It seems like we are slowly slipping into lawlessness. Then again, it seems like justice occurs swiftly and mercilessly to the very poor.

On Palm Sunday, we do our processions around the church ( at least in some churches ) and proclaim that Jesus is the King. We sing one of my favorite hymns, All GLORY, LAUD AND HONOR…Unfortunately, the world paints a dire picture which is not compatible with the kingship of Jesus. Everything goes from bad to worse. Sometimes it appears as if there is no order but just utter chaos. Even the most absurd optimist can not explain things away now. In times like this, I feel a little awkward to say that Jesus is King. I do not mean that I am ashamed of saying it. I do not want to offer mere lip service. I want to have conviction of this truth. However, everyday it seems less likely that Jesus is King in this world. It is not a crisis of faith or anything like that. It is a confession. I do not understand how things can be this way when Jesus is truly King. Like the man said to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9 : 24)

We know that the triumphant welcome of Jesus was short-lived. In our Palm Sunday liturgy, we read the first reading of the Passion. The same people who shouted, “Hosanna!” were later disappointed with Jesus. They turned against Him. They shouted with the same passion, “Crucify Him!” They felt deceived. He was not the King they had hoped for. His disciples who stood by Him must have been deeply confused and perturbed. For a moment, they must have thought that the reign of Jesus was finally being established and then just like that, they were thrust into a hopeless situation. They watched helplessly as their Lord was taken away from them, being treated like a common criminal and not like a king at all. However, in their hearts, they believed in His Kingship but suddenly the nature of His kingdom became a mystery to them. I think many of us can appreciate the sentiments of Jesus. Unfortunately, there are millions of people who prayed to our King asking Him to rescue their children or spouses from the hands of cruel people or situations and their prayers were never answered. Most of them still have their faith intact without knowing what to expect. They still believe that Jesus is Lord but they do not quite comprehend His dominion over this world.

One thing is for sure, the opinion of the crowd is not reliable. On occasions, they might grasp something true but it does not take long for the devil to come and snatch it away from them. The answer is not found in popular opinion nor the so-called religious culture. Many churches have succumbed to the concept of marketing “Jesus” as a product and make promises which He never made. If we want to understand His Kingdom, then the King is only person who could reveal it to us. We should not let his given title confuse us. He is not King like the presidents and politicians of this world. He does not exercise His power like them. Besides, Jesus Himself never claimed to have a kingdom in this world. However, He did show what kind of person He truly is.

He told us that He is a King who did not come to condemn nor judge. Therefore, we can not expect Him to sort out all the injustices in this world as we would like Him to do. He taught us that the King washes the feet of His subjects. Therefore, we should not expect Him to act or even use the so-called rulers and princes of today. They have nothing in common with Him. They do not wash anyone’s feet, maybe not even their own. He is a King who loves His enemies and refuses to strike back when they strike. He is not going to take revenge for us for all the injustices we have suffered. Jesus was always honest about the nature of His kingship. It was the people who had false expectations. They couldn’t help it. The title of the king confused them. It confuses us, too. We only know one kind of ruler and government. The one which dominates and rules over us with an iron hand. We want our King to be like them but to be on our side instead. However, Jesus is who He is. His Kingdom is strong and present in this world for those who are able to see Him for who He is.

We are in process of gaining back our friendships which were held on hold during the Pandemic. One of our friends came over for a short visit and we talked about the challenges of talking about Jesus meaningfully without caving in to cliches and doctrinal jargon. She shared a story about her friend who was dealing with suicidal thoughts. He was admitted to a clinic for treatment where he was acquainted with another girl with similar issues. They supported each other but in tragic turn of events, the girl ended her life in the clinic itself. The distraught friend spoke to the counsellor who happened to be a Buddhist monk. He told her that the best way to help someone is to discover how to live a good life. It sounded like simple advice but it stayed with us.

A few days later, in the streets, Daniel asked if we could play a card game with him. He was quite specific about the location where we should play. He led us to a spot where he found several days ago. It was still in the square where the children hang out but it was a peaceful and calm place surrounded by trees. We started talking and he said that sometimes he wished he could start over. I asked what he would change in his past. He said, “I want to do things in a way that I can be like you. I want to live the lives that you lead. It seems peaceful to me.” I have to admit that it was not the answer I expected. I thought he was going to say that he would have studied more and not come to the streets, etc. We have had many talks with Daniel in the past. We have known this boy since he was eleven. He will turn twenty in a few months time. There were many conversations and outings. He has lost many friends to violence over the years. He has suffered violence and brutality. In the midst of all this, he never lost his faith. He always sought to find the King present in this world. He sees Jesus’ Kingdom in the lives of people.

Jesus the King does not manifest Himself in the mechanism of this world. His Kingdom is present where real change occurs. It is present in the hearts and souls of people who have said, “Yes” to His Kingship. Daniel knew where to look for the Kingdom. I heard the three shots that one tragic night and wanted Jesus to be like the dull kings of this world. His Kingdom is not from this world as He clearly said to Pilate. Therefore, we should not waste our time looking for the manifestation of God’s kingdom in the systems of this world. Jesus reigns but His reign is only perceptible for those who can understand His glory when He hung on the Cross.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2

Jesus told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons…

I did not know that Wesley’s birthday was this week. He would have been fifteen on Tuesday. Bruno, Daniel, and Wanderson decided to visit the cemetery where he is laid to rest. He must have been very close to them because it is very rare for them to leave where they hang out to go anywhere. Maybe it is because his tragic death occurred so close to his birthday. According to Bruno, they each bought a flower and placed it on his headstone. Everyone said a short prayer thanking God for his life. It was their final birthday gift for him. Bruno prayed that there will be some sort of justice done for his cruel death. However, we know that it will not occur here. The people who murdered him were the very ones who were supposed to be agents of law and order in this city.

Bruno was in a pensive mood. Finally, he asked if God will forgive those who murdered Wesley if they asked for forgiveness. For the first time in my life, I found it hard to say “Yes” to this question. Suddenly, within me, there was a burning desire for some sort of retribution. I suppose talking about forgiveness theoretically always seems easy. In this present situation when a perpetrator commits a hideous act without any remorse, it is hard to accept that this person will be welcome into God’s household without any restrictions. Bruno followed up with another question; “What if he does it again after being forgiven? Is God going to forgive him each time he asks for forgiveness?” I told him that it is hard to imagine someone who sincerely repents of murder to go out and commit it again and again. However, Jesus did say to forgive seventy times seven because that is what the Father does. To be frank, it was not a pleasant conversation even though the idea of God’s mercy and forgiveness should be a joyous topic. However, we found out that it is not always the case. Sometimes God welcomes the people that we wish He would exclude from His household. All of us have a personal list of people we think should be excluded. Well, maybe most of us…maybe it is just me. I doubt it.

Today’s gospel is a parable which is familiar to every Christian. The name given to this particular story is quite misleading. Jesus was not talking solely about the lost son. Needless to say, the prodigal son has captured popular imagination. Furthermore, we tend not to dwell too much on the older brother. In reality, the two are essentially the same. Both sons did not understand the Father. Apparently they dreaded being in the Father’s house. The younger one wanted to get out as soon as he could. He was more of a risk taker. If we were to attach any virtue to this young man’s actions, perhaps we can say that he was more courageous than his older sibling. The older one was not necessarily a coward. No doubt, he was more prudent. However, neither one of them understood the Father. Neither one of them cared what the Father felt and thought about them. The parable appears to be inconclusive. We are not sure if the older brother understood the Father in the end. In reality, we are not sure if the younger brother understood the Father’s love. He did not return to His father’s house because he had a renewed understanding of his father’s love. He returned for the same reason which made him leave. He was thinking about himself and his own survival. Both sons are the same. We do not know if either son actually understood the true nature of the Father.

It would be a mistake to assume that just because the younger son was accepted back with open arms that he was transformed. Jesus shared a curious parable in another occasion. It is found in the same gospel. A demon expelled from a person’s life returned to find his previous “home” all swept and clean but still vacant. The demon rounded up seven demons and returned to its previous dwelling place (Luke 11:23-26). The young son returned home. We have returned to our Heavenly Father. However, it does not mean that we are automatically protected from something worse which could contaminate our souls.

Jesus responded to the mutterings of the religious authorities of His time. These were people who were zealous about following God. Perhaps some of them were doing so for ulterior motives but a vast majority of them were sincere. Even St Paul testifies to this in his letters. He would know because he was among their ranks. These sincere religious leaders had cleaned their “houses” but only for seven demons worse than the previous one to occupy them. We are not immune from these demons. The Pharisees were in the gospels to show us that we can become like them. Maybe we are already like them and just do not realize it. There is a way out of this. The Father invites us to celebrate with Him each time when one of His lost sheep returns home.

In the gospel of John, Jesus told his disciples that He is going to prepare a room for them in the Father’s mansion. We have no say who should be on the guest list. We cannot use our church doctrines to restrict the list. It is the Father’s prerogative. One thing is for sure; there is no room for hatred and revenge in this place. The problem is that we live in a world fueled by these things. We have waged wars and killed thousands because we listened and believed things which dehumanize the people whom we are supposed to be against. In this environment, Jesus invites us to see the other from the perspective of the Father. He is the One who anxiously waits for His lost children to return home and welcomes them with open arms regardless of what they have done. He is a Father who is unbelievably merciful to point that it might irk us. However, this is our heavenly Father. We will never be able to rejoice with Him unless we are able to see life from His perspective. There are no rules or formulas enabling us to do so. The New Testament does not give any spiritual laws whatsoever, even though there might be some hanging around in some churches but they do not belong to Jesus. St Paul tells,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

The world constantly appeals to us, beckoning us to follow its logic and ethics. Jesus warns us that if our right hand causes us to sin, then it is better to enter the Kingdom of God without it. Maybe there are many things in everyday life promoting the values of the world. Everyday we are exposed to things to make us hate our neighbor because of the depravities that they commit. Jesus tells us to cut these things out of our lives. We do not have to pretend that they don’t exist. This will be a foolish attempt. Nevertheless, we do not need to allow them to occupy our thoughts and minds. We need to renew our minds. First by listening to the words of Jesus, not opinions about His words but the testimony of the disciples in the gospels. Then we need to appeal to the Holy Spirit to help us discern the presence of Jesus seeking the lost sheep in this world. Maybe we can participate with Jesus in His endeavor when it is possible. If not, we can rejoice with Him each time a soul returns home from his wayward wanderings and we will find ourselves being renewed. We will begin to see this world from the perspective of the Father. We will be standing with the Father rejoicing as we see in the distance a soul who once did horrendous and deplorable things returning to a place where our Savior Jesus Christ has prepared a room for this sheep.

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. ” Luke 13:1-3

An elderly woman commented to me not too long ago that only bad people died from Covid. I can not remember what prompted her to say this. It was during the worst period of the pandemic and I suppose the topic was on everyone’s mind. She occasionally helped the children and teens with food and some of the teens liked her. She was not a callous or cold person even though her comment was bizarre. Needless to say, it disturbed me profoundly. One of our friends died from Covid here and some friends have lost their parents and siblings. None of them were saints nor sinners. They were just regular people who did their best in life and definitely none were remotely bad people. However, it is not necessary for me to engage in every battle. This woman was just being like any human being. She wanted some sort of assurance of her own survival and therefore, she made up something in her mind giving her an illusion of protection. Unfortunately, this meant blaming the victims for their own demise which we often do. I walk alone at night sometimes in places reputed to be dangerous. I am often confident that nothing bad will happen to me even though many have been robbed and hurt in these same places. I justify my attitude by imagining that these victims were not careful like me. Somehow I have convinced myself that I am special and different and consequently I am entitled to differential treatment in life. I am happy to dwell in this illusion and so are many around me. Jesus is telling us to snap out of it. Having this illusion is not going to help us live our lives to fullness. In fact, it is a hindrance. We need to repent, in other words, have a change of mind and face the reality before us. Unless we do this, we can never be fruitful in this life.

In the streets of São Paulo, there is never a shortage of preachers yelling at the top of their voice for everyone to repent. We do not want to be another of these voices. They have reduced repentance to mere acceptance of a doctrine; more specifically, the concept of accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior. Jesus becomes a ticket to heaven and a better life according to them and nothing more. The first person who spoke about repentance in the New Testament was John the Baptist. He asserted that repentance needs to bear fruits. Eventually he was beheaded. Before this, he was unjustly imprisoned. John was a repentant soul but it did not spare him from suffering. Jesus, perhaps, is the only person, according to our faith, that did not need to repent. Yet, he suffered and died. There is no scriptural evidence to support that conversion is a guarantee that we will be protected from pain and suffering. Sometimes it can increase and most of the times, if we are fortunate, we can lead quite a normal life with minimal suffering. It doe not mean that we did something to deserve it. It is just the way life functions. Jesus did not explain why these poor Galileans deserved such a diabolical death. He just warned us that we too can suffer such fate. We are not special. We just need to be aware that Life is unpredictable and incredibly brief. Our conversion does not change how life functions but it changes how we function in life.

Last Wednesday, when we went to the streets, Wesley was sitting alone in the corner. I went to greet him and he insisted that I give him a hug instead. It was strange because I hardly know him. He is relatively new to us. He showed up during the beginning the pandemic. We have not had the chance to get to know him yet. He seemed to be a nice kid about fourteen years old. He looked like someone with whom we could have had a strong relationship in the future. Unfortunately, the very next day he was brutally murdered. The details are irrelevant. They will not bring him back. Suffice it to know that he was well loved by the other teens. He had a sweet nature and loved to be the clown. Although we did not know him well, his death still affected us. I am glad that I was able to give him a hug just before he left us. I have something to remember him. He died but he did not perish from our existence.

Jesus shared the parable about bearing fruits. I have heard teachings complicating this whole idea. Bearing fruits, some say, is converting people to our faith. Some say it is living a successful life without any clear definition of what that means. Jesus told the parable in the context of terrible things that had happened to people; things that are reflective of the times in which they were living. There are many choices to make in these situations confronting us. In our present times, the same hatred and violence that was present in Jesus’ time are evident now. The difference is that we have more advanced technology to disseminate them. However, the repented soul still has the same task which is to bear fruits. To the common person in our Jesus’ time, fruits played a simple role. They were not too concerned about the propagation of a tree when they saw fruits hanging from it. They saw something that was going to nourish them and even bring a moment of sweetness to their life. Fruits fed hungry souls in their long tiresome journeys and even Jesus sought figs to feed himself when he was traveling. Furthermore, in other parts of the gospel, Jesus used salt as a reference for the kind of role repented souls should play in this life. We can delve into the subject of salt preserving food and how we need to preserve the world from corruption. We can also see salt as something that magically enhances the flavor of food making it pleasurable and delightful. This world is going to function the way it has always functioned with all its in justice and violence. However, those who have their minds transformed by the power of the Spirit can bring joy and hope to those who are weary and overburdened in this world.

Sometimes we think that we need to do great things in order to count as spiritual fruits. Most of the times, they are simple things that anyone can do. I wanted to have a long-lasting relationship with Wesley. However, I was only able to give him a hug. At least, he knew that he was loved. His life was not in vain. He did not perish into the great unknown. His name is written in the repented souls who know that Wesley was and is a child of God.

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! Luke 13:32-33

In my last post, I mentioned that things in the streets were getting worse. Robberies and theft are a frequent occurrence. Brazil has higher rates of homicide than most of the countries going through a war. However, now I see that I spoke like the Pharisees in today’s gospel reading. They were not being hypocritical this time. No doubt everyone dreaded and despised Herod for being a dangerous and malicious leader. Most likely they were genuinely concerned for our Lord’s welfare. They were right in warning Jesus. However, they forgot that our Lord is not one to allow circumstances to dictate His purpose.

In the same way, I have been looking at the negative changes around us without realizing that this does not actually make any difference for the Good Shepherd. He came to seek the sick and not the well. Growth in criminal activity, persistent pandemic, and increasing political unrest is not going to stop the healing and casting out of demons. Jesus will achieve His goal in the streets. Therefore, we need to be attentive; not only to what is happening around us but the things God is doing in the places where we live. Our Lord is not into showmanship. He does not like the limelight. He is a subtle Shepherd. Therefore, we need to pay careful attention. There are many good and wonderful things happening in the world. Yet, for those who want swift justice and peace, the actions and presence of Jesus will be inadequate and perhaps even distracting. In other words, God works in His own time and space.

Camila sent us a message this week. It has been a long time since we heard from her. Some may not remember her. She was actually one of the first homeless teenagers we met when we came back here in 2013. All we can remember was that we spent very brief moments with her before she was arrested for theft. She spent most of her teenage life in the juvenile detention center even though she did not commit a serious crime. The major problem was that she is an orphan and there was no place available for the State to send her. As soon as she turned 18, she was released and became determined to get her life on the right track. We always randomly ran into her over past few years. Every time she was so happy to see us and remembers our times with her fondly. She claims that we did much to help her. It was not exactly true. In fact, we can hardly remember anything of our times together. Somehow, she saw something in us and we are forever grateful for it.

Camila has always been a fighter and very proud young woman. It took her a while to receive any kind of help from us. We had to explain to her that we needed the help of many people in our lives before we could be on our own. Therefore, she shouldn’t feel like a failure to receive help from us. Fortunately, things are going well for her after a long uphill battle. She is a squatter in an abandoned building. She has a tiny room which she shares with her two year old child. Unlike most of these occupied buildings, she has to pay a small fee. The place is organized itself into a movement that is fighting for the government to provide affordable housing. I visited her place once. The place is not in a great condition but it is clean. The movement managed to secure a small number of apartments in a local housing development. The apartments are not free but they are subsidized by the government. They still have to pay a high price for it but it is divided into affordable installments. Priority was given to single working mothers and Camila’s name was selected. When she told us the news, she could hardly contain herself. She said that she knew that God will answer her prayers. There is still a long battle before her but she is a fighter.

Camila found a steady job but her employers are underpaying her. She expected it but she also realizes that this is how things work. She knows her objective and she is not going to allow these unscrupulous people to get in her way. She is getting the experience which she needs. One day she will be able to find a better job with a fair salary. She also shared with us that she was almost robbed one day. She was walking with her child and a young man about her age tried to steal her mobile phone. She confronted him and told him that he should be ashamed for stealing from a single mother with a child. The guy returned the phone to her and told her that it was too cheap for him. Camila laughed and said, “I left that life behind me but I am not going to be victim for someone like my past self.” She was into crime for a very brief period. She despised it. She allowed the circumstances to dictate her choices back then. Now, she tries her best to listen to the voice guiding her in the straight and narrow. She gave us a big hug and rushed off to pick up her son from the public daycare center.

When we got to the streets where the children and teens were, Guilherme approached us. There are few teens with this name. I have never spoken about this particular one before. We have known for him for a while but he has been in and out of detention centers. Despite his actions, he does have an open and kind face. He is a divided person. There is goodness in him but he allows himself to do the things he does not want to do. Guilherme wanted to know if we were an NGO. I told him that it was just us, Mary and Stephen. We were not an organization but I was curious. He wondered if we could help him buy a portable cooler. It was a strange request. He explained that he was planning to sell bottled mineral water at stop lights. He thought maybe this could be a start towards the right direction. He does not want to be involved in crime anymore. He said that he was aware of the long road ahead of him and he is determined to take small steps each time and eventually God will help him get there. We told him that we will take these steps with him. We made plans to buy the cooler the following week. Next day, Guilherme brought another young man, Josiah. He wanted to do the same thing and asked for our help. They said that they needed three coolers altogether. “Three!” I blurted out. Josiah quickly added that they were not expensive. They asked me to follow them because they had something to show me. They managed to get some money together to buy several cases of mineral water. To my pleasant surprise, the third cooler was for Kawanna. We have seen these three sitting together in deep discussions for weeks. We were always a little concerned because we thought these two were bad company for Kawanna. However, it was clear now that they are trying to figure out a way to get out of crime. Kawanna thanked us for offering to buy the coolers. They found a place to store their bottles in a fridge and they can start selling once we get them the coolers.

As we left, Guilherme asked us to keep praying for them. They want to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd calling them back to walk in the right path. They are finding means and ways on their own. They are working out their salvation. Yes, things are heading from bad to worse but this does not change anything. Jesus is still healing and casting out demons in our midst. Perhaps not in the way the world expects. Jerusalem wanted the prophets and servants of God to do things in the way the city desired. However, God acts according to His own will. He leaves the ninety nine in search for the one who has strayed. The city expects Jesus to do something spectacular for the ninety nine but our Lord is wandering in the wilderness looking for the one. Things are bad but God is still actively healing and comforting His sheep. We just need to look for Him in the right places.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2

Every Lent, we begin this special season with the reading of the temptations of Jesus. It would be a grave error to think these temptations were peculiar to Him.

Jesus was one hundred percent human. Every Christian knows this and yet many act as if He was a God disguised as a human in the tradition of the gods of Greek Mythology. Many believed that Jesus still had His godlike abilities while He was a human being. However, the Bible tells us He emptied Himself of godlike qualities which means he possessed our ambiguities and weaknesses. In other words, He was not a superhuman. Consequently, He also had the desire to be the god of his own life as most of us do. All of us have within us a desire to have complete freedom to do and act as we please according to our own whims. We do not want to be challenged or subjected any standards besides our own. As an ancient philosopher once stated, “Man is the measure of all things.” Even today, many Christians believe the world was created for humanity to do with it as it pleases and not for the pleasure and glory of God. This is our human nature and it began right at the story of the Fall. The temptations of Jesus reenact the story of the Fall but with one twist. There is no fall. Jesus refused to use His power and influence to succumb to this innate human desire.

Many times we hear people say that we are so blessed to be living in this…or being born in this… I think in reality people are just lucky to be born where they are if the place gives them the opportunity to achieve what they desire. Many use their wealth and knowledge and whatever privileges they received for their own personal gains or to ensure that they are self sufficient and secure from all the dangers of the world. There is nothing inherently wrong with this. However, randomly using the word, “blessed”, to describe this state is problematic. In the gospel, being blessed begins with the awareness that everything we have comes from God but it does not stop there. Most people do stop there. The devil wants you to stop there. He tried to tempt Jesus to do the same. However, as we used to say right in the middle of worship service in the Anglican tradition,

“All things come of thee, O LORD, and of thine own have we given thee.” I Chronicles 29:11

Being blessed is being able to give back to God all the things which He has given us. It does not mean that we sell everything and give to the poor and then become missionaries. This is a nonsensical way of thinking. Everyone has a place in the body of Christ. We need to discover our place and then use the resources which we freely received from God as an offering to give back to Him. Nonetheless, we still need to spend some time in the “wilderness” to understand how we can become God’s channel of blessing in this world. It worked for Jesus and it can do miracles for us.

Actually, we do not need to go to the wilderness. It came to us in the form of a pandemic. We are still not quite done. It seems like this “wilderness” wants to linger around a bit longer. Unfortunately, many have rushed out of it and fallen into the arms of the devil. Thankfully, we do not have to follow their footsteps. The season of Lent is here to aid us. It beckons us to take a step back and reflect. We can allow this story to speak to our souls. There are two paths before us, the devil’s path which is the foundation of our carnal human desires or the path of the footsteps of Jesus: the New Creation. No doubt, everyone wants to follow Jesus. We also know that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We need help. Jesus reveals to us the Way. Jesus overcame the devil because He understood what needed to be done. He kept His focus. Jesus was given gifts and power. He knew how and when to use them. He made it clear in the same chapter of today’s gospel reading. He sat among the congregation and pronounced the purpose of his life and gifts.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

As we proceed with our reading of the entire gospel from here, we see example after example of Jesus using all that He received to fulfill these words. No doubt we cannot be like Jesus but it does not mean that we should not try. One of the most powerful testimonies I heard was from an atheist who confessed that even though she lacks faith, she loves the person of Jesus and desires to imitate His footsteps. I think that she is on the road to discover what it means to live a blessed life.

We are slowly coming out of our wilderness. I tried doing it towards the end of last year but Covid got a hold of me. Now, I am taking baby steps back into the world. It seems like things have gone from bad to worse. The country is going through one of the worst economic crisis and unemployment is record high. Consequently, crime is on the rise. We have witnessed robberies with such frequency that it is creating a sense of revolt within me. I have always had a great disdain for crime and even stopped watching movies because in some shape or form, they tend to sensationalize criminal behavior. Personally, I am having a hard time separating the perpetrator from the sin. It is easier to succumb to the temptation of despising both. To our dismay, there has been an increase in number of teens involved in crime. Some of them are so deep into it that their physiognomy is beginning to reflect their criminal behavior. The situation is quite discouraging and there is a growing sense of hopelessness. It made me question if we can possibly make any impact in the lives of these young people. I walked past three young men. Two of them were teenagers and the one in the middle was slightly older. He was shirtless and his body was marked with tattoos telling a story to those who understood its symbols. They were robbers taking a break. As I walked by, the one in the middle called to me. They looked extremely intimidating and dangerous but I wasn’t afraid for some reason. The tattooed young man looked at me and said, “God bless you and your family, sir! I really mean it.” It wasn’t exactly what I expected to hear. I was taken off guard and mumbled back something like a weak “same to you”. Something special happened at that moment. I did not recognize him but he acted like he knew me. I walked on and saw Kawanna sitting alone. I sat next to her.

She is a quiet girl. It is best not to inundate her with questions to make her talk. She usually does it on her own time. She has been very dear to us over the past few months. There was a time she was just as dangerous as the three young men, possibly even worse. She spent most of her teenage life incarcerated in the juvenile detention center. They even said that she was a hopeless case. However, she has left criminal activity behind. Now, she composes music and poems. She has a written quite a number of them. We just gave her a notebook for her birthday so she could record more of her compositions. She just turned 22. She eventually started talking. She told me that she wants to use music to get out of this situation. She meant her homelessness and poverty. However, she wants to do something to help the others. She said that she was involved in crime once and she knows that most of them want a way out of it. They need help and most importantly patience.

Her words brought me back to this world and our focus. Jesus did not bring us to this place to be a judge. There are ample number of judges around. He did not bring us here because it was easy. He brought us to see the suffering and tormented souls who need healing. The devil wants me to focus on the outside and seek an easy way out. Jesus confronts the dire reality and brings a message of hope and love. Today, I received healing from two unlikely sources. I was healed of my blindness and now I can see that the circumstances have changed but the gospel still remains powerful. It is still able to heal and restore. The devil wants me to focus my energy on other things mainly myself. Jesus said, “No!” We want to say “yes” to Jesus.

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:27-31

There is a tendency to just casually skim through these sayings without giving too much thought to them. We might think they are irrelevant to us. Most of us do not believe that we have a personal enemy or a nemesis seeking to destroy our lives. We might have overbearing bosses, annoying relatives, perfidious friends, competitive colleagues, and overall irritating people in our lives. They might take up all our strength and energy while they torment us with their presence. However, it does not take much for us to forgive them and leave them in our memories. In fact, personal enemies are easy for us, in most cases, to leave behind. It is the abstract enemies which linger on. Sometimes they are real threats and sometimes they are just invented to bring people together in their common hatred. All societies function based on this hatred of an enemy. It is not a modern concept, nor is it caused by the media. The latter only gives what the public demands. In reality, it is human nature. All our creative impulses are based on hatred. We live in this world and it functions through strife as wisely stated by one of the fathers of Western Philosophy, Heraclitus;

“The opposite is beneficial; from things that differ comes the fairest attunement; all things are born through strife.”

We need strife fueled by hatred to function. All political parties and movements understand. The most successful ones are the ones conjuring up the clearest image of the enemy of their choice; the source of our misfortunes and lack of happiness. No one can get ahead without hating the enemies in politics and business and life in general. Of course, we do not use the word, “hate”. We find euphemisms to disguise them. We have to be honest with ourselves and recognize the power of hatred active within us.
Therefore, when Jesus said that we should love our enemies, He is proposing a radical change in society. He is not taking any sides because all sides have an enemy to hate and despise. He is eliminating hatred. This creates a series of problems for us. There are some real diabolic leaders and people in this world. We cannot pretend that they are our friends. However, Jesus never said that we should stop recognizing them as our enemies. He warns us that we should not be drawn into the same web of hatred which fuels them. In fact, when we hate our enemies we are just becoming like them, full of hatred and bitterness. Expressions of Communism in our recent history provide us with ample examples. They fought against the oppressive Capitalists or Imperialist regimes which they hated and ended up becoming exactly like them. Hate generates hate. Jesus ushers a new creation free from the vicious cycle.

It is important to realize that this is not a suggestion. Jesus Himself clearly states later in the same passage,

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46

If we decide to follow the footsteps of our Lord, then we need to forsake hatred. It means that we forsake the tools of hatred like slander and malicious talk. It means we forsake listening and consuming anything allowing hatred to grow in our hearts. It means forgoing a lot of the things which unites us. Hatred unites nations and gives people a sense of solidarity. The people of Israel were united with the Romans when they shouted, “Crucify Him!”

This is definitely not a doctrine which can be taught. In reality, turning this into a doctrine is surest victory for hatred. Jesus proposes a lifestyle and His Life is an example. I simply cannot go to the streets and tell our children and teens, “Love your enemy”. For most of them, it would be the person who abused or raped them. It could be the person who murdered their parent or sibling. It could be the corrupt policeman who constantly torments them with threats and violence. They might nod and agree with me out of respect for our friendship but my words will have no effect on them. Loving the enemy is not an idea. It is something we need to work out with fear and trembling. First of all, we need to recognize the hatred within us. If we pretend that it doesn’t exist, then we will also ignore the fact that we are allowing it to grow through constant exposure to instruments of hatred present in this world. We need to be honest with ourselves. We also need to be honest that it is not an easy thing to love those whom we like to despise. Then we are ready to address the issue with the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a lifestyle and not a one time event.

This last week while I was recovering from the side effects of long Covid, I was thinking about the children and teens we met over the years. For some strange reason, a particular boy came to my mind. I could not remember his name but I remember was that he was extremely difficult. He was very disrespectful. He would constantly provoke us and sometimes destroy some of our equipment. He was a thorn in our flesh. Then all of a sudden he disappeared. We heard later that he was in a detention center. He was heavily involved in crime. Last Wednesday, I was feeling well enough to go back to the streets. There were a bunch of new young men with the children and teens. All of them had the type of tattoos which revealed that they were deep into the gang life. However, they still had open and friendly faces. One of them approached us and shook our hands. Then he said, “You don’t recognize me anymore, do you? I am Jonathan.” Sure enough it was the young boy who I was thinking about, He is now 21. Unfortunately, he has been in and out of prison over the past few years. I made a comment that he was a terror before. He smiled and said, “You do remember me!” I told him that I did not remember him because of his bad behavior but I knew that he was a good kid behind all that bad behavior. He sat beside us and wanted to show some pictures of where he was living. He just got out of prison but from the pictures, I do not think that he is going to last a long time outside. His friends were definitely tough gang members. He even admitted that one of them was in prison now. He did not have any photos of his family members. Perhaps the gang is his only family. He really seemed happy that we remembered him. Just looking at this young man and his tender manners, it is hard to believe that violence is strong part of his life. He got a phone call and excused himself. Mary overheard part of the conversation. His friends wanted to meet and blow up an ATM machine.

Jonathan is stuck in a cycle that will eventually kill. Hatred has been fueling this young man his whole life. I can not just say to him, “Love your enemy.” He needs to know what is love first. It needs to be communicated to him in a way which is clear and precise. Jonathan wanted to have some contact with us when he was young and he used violence and hatred to achieve that. Now, he knows that he has a place reserved for him. There is no need nor room for hatred between us. Hopefully, we will see him again. Until then, we have to continue in our decision to love our enemies despite the things they do.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

Sometimes it is interesting to read or hear the tourist’s impressions about the place where we meet our children and teens. I have mentioned countless times that a majestic Cathedral sits in the center where all the homeless people sleep in the square surrounding it. It is a major tourist attraction (the Cathedral, not the homeless people). The surrounding square derives its name from this monument. “This Church is gorgeous but it is a pity that it is ruined by the presence of the homeless people.” This is one of the more frequent comments from the tourists. It is not said with malicious intent. The overwhelming presence of people sleeping in tents and homeless children playing without any adult supervision plus the countless adults in various stages of inebriation does mar the charm of the place if you are coming solely for tourism.

We have not stepped into the Cathedral for years. Truth be known, I find it a little cold and impersonal. The interior is dark and is permeated with a melancholic atmosphere. This is just my opinion. It is by no means a judgment on the priests nor the congregation. It is just the aura of the building. Since we are not here for tourism, we find the homeless people more fascinating.

Most people just look at them collectively as the ‘homeless”. However, there are many different groups represented. They are all homeless but not all the same. There is the transgender group. They have endured much rejection in their lives and now in the streets they are part of a bizarre community. There are the old alcoholics as the children call them. They are not in the streets because of booze. They drink to forget their misery. If one has several hours to spend and infinite patience, they will relate to you their sad tale. Of course, we have our children and teens. I have by no means exhausted my list but I think the point is made. All these diverse homeless individuals have a story to tell but very few people are interested in them. Their experiences will never be recorded in any history book, neither will their existence be acknowledged. Nevertheless, they are part of this city which does not recognize them. Many tourists come for the official tour which includes the majestic history of the Cathedral and its construction. It is a sanitized history devoid of human sufferings and failures. Perhaps the actual church building is melancholic because it laments the exclusion of the homeless who are very much part of the Kingdom of God, the symbol which the Cathedral represents.

The evangelist Luke starts his account of the first Christmas but there is a twist. He begins the gospel like any historical account with the rulers and their important mandates taking the center stage. Then, suddenly, these things slip into irrelevance. A very young woman pregnant out-of wedlock takes the center stage. Despite Joseph’s noble attempts to protect her from shame, we know that the gossip is virtually impossible to deter. The people in those times are just like us. The difference is that we have better technology to despatch calumnious news. In any case, she would have been a person whom society would rather forget than to remember two thousand years after. Nevertheless, she is a primary figure in the history of the Kingdom of God.

God had access to all peoples in the world but He wanted to celebrate the birth of his chosen One with shepherds. Another group of insignificant people not featured in the regular history books. God’s invitation list is void of the local rulers and prominent citizens. The location of the festivity is the last place one expects a king to be born. Of course, everyone knows this story well enough. We have heard it countless times. I do not need to repeat it here. The point is that the Kingdom of God is not found where we expect or would like it to be. We cannot build a beautiful Cathedral and expect the Son of Man to be restricted within its boundaries. God brought his special guests to the square where our Cathedral sits. The tourists are impressed with the symbol but they fail to recognize the actual Kingdom of God present. However, something strange and beautiful happens during the Christmas season. There is an increase of more visitors to the square but not to visit the Cathedral. They come to visit those who sleep outside of it. They bring food and presents. They come especially to spread some joy to these people. It is strange that throughout the year they walk past this place without making eye contact with the homeless. Suddenly, during this season, they remember them.

Some say that it’s blatant hypocrisy. Besides being an unfortunate way of looking at things, I also find it dull and lazy. Being hypocrites is part of our human nature. We do not need a special season to express it. It is present throughout the year. All of us succumb to hypocrisy in some shape or form. Being coherent is a dream that is not yet a reality for anyone who is alive. However, to dwell on the negative aspect of this is to be the same as the tourists who visit the Cathedral and lament the presence of the Kingdom.

During this time, the vast majority of people are open to the presence of Agape in our lives. Christmas is the celebration of God’s unconditional Love being expressed in flesh and blood. Needless to say, we know that the day of Christmas is a mere symbol. Jesus was not born on this specific day but God works with us where we are spiritually. This time we are open to recognize the eternal Love which sustains our existence. We realize that this love needs to be shared and it cannot be contained in its symbols. Consequently, it is the time when people want to step out of the sanitized version of the Kingdom of God and seek the actual Kingdom. It is a time when people are prone to put aside their differences and just enjoy the person. Our children and teens are always influenced by the season. Usually they consider forgiving their families for the things that they have done or omitted to do and seek some sort of reconciliation. Usually everything falls apart the day after Christmas but miracles still occur. There is always hope that the people will be open to the power of Agape after the season.

This week I was in the streets and saw Bruno reading a book on movies. It was a beautiful book and looked expensive. He was obviously very pleased with it and could not wait to show it off to me. He has been begging outside a bank for two years now. The staff had their annual Christmas party and without Bruno’s knowledge they included his name in the gift exchange. The bank manager bought him the book. She talks with him regularly whenever she comes to have a smoke. The rest of the staff also had a little gifts for him. Even though he was not an employee, he has become part of their lives. They decided that this time of the year, they would acknowledge the love they sense for him. They come from two extremes and yet there is a special kind of Love which is able to overcome boundaries and social differences. It does not originate from either party. It came into this world two thousand years ago through a little child born in a stable. At least once a year the world is reminded that is a Love greater than all our failures and hypocrisy and maybe one day, this love will take full possession of our souls. This is our hope and prayer always.

God bless and have a Blessed Christmas.

“Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Luke 3:9-11

Daniel was a little concerned about Mary. He wanted to know if she was gaining weight again. Mary had some health problems last year and lost a lot of weight. Thankfully, she is back to normal but hasn’t quite gained the weight back yet. Some of the children and teens are a little worried. No matter what we tell them, they think that we are hiding something. Daniel reiterated that he wants Mary to be well like before because he wants us around for a long time. He is a very serious young man and not prone to flattery. He was not saying it to be nice nor sweet. We have known him since he was 11 and now he is 19. Just recently, he is beginning to reveal more of his inner self. He then said something curious. He said that one day it will be his turn to take care of us. He wants to reciprocate.

This is the second time he has said something to this extent. When I saw him earlier, I asked him why he had not gone home to see his mother. A couple of days ago, he shared that he was planning to spend the month of December at home. We are well into the month and he still has not done it. There are some changes in his family situation. His parents got separated and his mother has been coming around to the streets more frequently, trying to convince her sons to go home. The problem is both Daniel and his brother, Dreyson, have spent almost ten years in the streets and during this time no one from the family had come looking for them. They have constructed their world without the presence of their family. Thankfully, not all is lost. There is hope that healing and reconciliation will occur but it will take time. For now, we are encouraging Daniel to spend as much time as possible with his mother. He still harbors strong affections for her. He is also someone with a strong sense of responsibility. If he is convinced that his mother needs him at home, I believe that he will leave everything behind and help her.

He claimed that he could not go home until he had some clothes. Initially, I thought that he was just making up an excuse. I pointed out that he was wearing a nice t-shirt and a clean pair of shorts. There was nothing stopping him from going home the way he was dressed. Then I realized that I was making the mistake of imagining his situation to be like mine when I was his age. There was always a wardrobe of my clothes in my parent’s house at that time but Daniel comes from a different reality. The clothes on his body are the only ones he has. His mother cannot afford to buy him clothes nor has the space to keep his old clothes. Furthermore, Daniel has grown from a tiny scrawny kid to a lanky young man. None of the clothes he had when he was living with his mother will fit him now. I think that his mother can find ways to feed him but this is about all that she can do for now. One day, his older sister came to get the brothers to go home. They had to spend an hour begging in order to get the money to pay for their fare home. Neither his sister nor his mother could afford to pay their way home.

I told him that if clothes were the issue, then I could buy some at the thrift store for him. It was at this moment he smiled and said,“We really appreciate everything you do for us! We don’t say it enough but we are really grateful.” He wanted to play a game of Uno instead. After a while, he asked if we could buy something warm for him to wear as it was getting a little chilly. There is a thrift shop in a church nearby and we went there. I guess for Daniel playing the game together before going to the thrift store meant something. He didn’t want me to think that he just wanted me to buy clothes for me. He wants to spend time with me.

Daniel is one of the many who have said that one day they want to reciprocate. It is a natural response. When we feel loved, we want to respond by giving back. When John the Baptist asked the people to bear fruits, he wasn’t referring to earning our salvation through works. He was actually saying that those who are touched by Love will respond in Love. However, this cannot be reduced to a mere doctrinal concept. It is something that transforms the way we interact with the world.

Our Lord came to usher a New Creation founded on the eternal Agape (unconditional love of God). The most significant sign of this love is that it always reproduces in actions and words. It is never static nor limited by any circumstance nor situation. The eternal agape consumes our souls and compels us to share it with those around us. The people asked John how to go about bearing fruits. The answer reveals to us practical ways to share the Love we received but they are baby steps. They are just the beginning and not the end. They open the door to the New Creation.

I shared with Daniel that we would not be here if we had not encountered the eternal Agape first. It is this Love which sustains us here. I explained to Daniel that every encounter we have with them is an encounter with eternal love. Each time we avail ourselves to love our neighbor, we open our hearts and minds to be transformed by the Unconditional Love of God. Daniel had availed himself to us many times. Therefore, he had already reciprocated. Love in the New Creation is not an exchange between two parties. It is opening our hearts to be touched by the Eternal Agape.

We got to the thrift shop and he wanted a windbreaker. It was getting a little chilly. It cost me less than three dollars but in return I had a wonderful conversation enriching my soul. John’s advice is worth following. It brings fruits which we will carry with us for eternity.