Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13: 33-35

We have been doing this ministry for some time now. We have accompanied a generation of homeless children who arrived in the streets in their prepubescent years and now they are in their early adulthood. We have seen and experienced many facets in the lives of the homeless youth. Therefore, we should be used to the many changes which occur in this unpredictable environment. Nevertheless, there are things which still disturb our souls. The presence of a new immigration of children, their numbers are growing by the day, is quite distressing. For some reason, they appear younger than their previous counterparts. Maybe we are older now and everyone seems young. This new group is from the state orphanages. We casually asked one of the older teens if these places were truly terrible. She replied that some places were quite pleasant. They do not always stay in the same place. They are transferred frequently. Besides this, they are only allowed to stay in the state orphanage until they turn 18. Once this happens, they are asked to leave. The State believes that its responsibility ends when they become officially adults. The fact that they are orphans from impoverished backgrounds never seems to alter this decision. Apparently, there are many who have a family member or so who will take them into their homes. For the others, they come here to the center of the city and call the streets their home.

This is another example of society’s superficial acts of charity. We live in a country where the social disparity is appalling. The rich are extremely rich and the poor are very poor. The children in the orphanages are the most vulnerable ones from poorest of the poor. In many cases, it is the State which removes the children from the parents’ custody and more often than not for good reasons. However, sending them back as soon as they turn 18 without any assistance nor guidance borders on cruelty. These are children whom no one wants. This has been communicated to them from very first years of their lives. When they officially become adults, they are expected to find their place in this world. Most of the children do not wait for this time. They can not handle another rejection in their lives. They run away from these orphanages. They have no where to go and the streets in the center where we minister is where people who have nowhere to go end up.

We sit in our usual place and wait for them. Those who have accompanied us over the years will have noticed how frequently we use the “wait” in our reflection. It is all about waiting. The children are all around us but they do not notice us. Something else has taken hold of their attention. It is really nothing important. It is just that everyone is trying to assert their presence. The only way they know how to do this is through crime. At least, this is the only thing they have been exposed to since young. We offer something different. Unfortunately, everyone is too busy to notice us. It is okay. It gives us a chance to quietly observe them.

A boy took out a stack of hundred dollar bills from his pocket. He is too young to have that kind of money and I doubt he understand its value. It will be gone tomorrow and he won’t remember how he spent it. Unfortunately, even in his circumstance, he knows that wealth is a sure way to be noticed so he flashes his money around. Sadly, he has become a master in the act of stealing gold chains. He was like the Dickensian artful dodger. All the other little guys look at him with admiration. This boy himself looks like he is hardly ten. It is heartbreaking to see him behave this way. Just the other day he smiled at us. It is obvious that he wants to be seen in a different light. He watches us every now and then. He hasn’t made the step to approach us. He has an image to protect for now, I suppose.

A group of unfortunate tourists came around the corner. Immediately, all these kids pounced upon them like a pack of wolves. We have not seen this happening for a long time. A young teenage girl put her arm around a young female tourist to subdue her so that she could steal something from this poor victim. Fortunately, she was able to break free from the hold and escape. Nothing was stolen from them except perhaps their dignity. Maybe they will a frightening story to relate when they go back to Europe. The incident created excitement once again. An outsider watching this incident would think that these children are like little monsters. I won’t blame anyone for thinking this way. The children seemed to be oblivious to the pain and suffering of others. They were not always like that. They have been subjected to much pain and suffering in their young lives and no one was around to show love and compassion to them. They are not asking for our sympathy. They are just living out what life has taught them until now.

A young girl came and asked if she could colour with us. She is part of the group but she is a little older. We found out that she was one of those who was turned out when she turned 18. She knew these children when they were in the orphanages together. We have been observing her. She put forth a tough and intimidating front. However, when she sat with us, she was an entirely different person. She had nice friendly smile and she was very open to us. Her name is Isabelle. We haven’t heard that name in the streets for a long time. Sounds like a name that would be common but we have only met one other girl with that name in the streets, albeit spelled with a slight variation. Her name was Isabela. She was tough like this girl. Hardly spoke to us initially and then approached us because she wanted to do some art. Eventually we become close. She left when she got pregnant and was determined to give her child something different. She has been away from the streets for more than five years. We shared her story with this new girl. She smiled and told us that she is not going to get pregnant ever. She doesn’t want to have children. They are too much responsibility. We told her that we don’t any kids too. She smiled and said, “Then you can adopt me!” It was a joke and at the same time it wasn’t. We heard some of children and teens say this to us several times in our time here. Most of them are the ones who come from the orphanages. All these children at one point hoped to be adopted and grow up in a stable loving environment. When that dream faded away and reality set in, they hardened their hearts. Isabelle stayed with us for a while and coloured. She told us about herself but most of the time, she was just quiet. She did not finish her colouring. She promised that she will finish next time. We told her that we will be here.

The next day, the same scenery and the same waiting for someone to approach. This time it was the girl who grabbed the neck of the poor tourist. It was quite unexpected. She walked up and asked if she could sit and color with us. Her name is Giovanna. She did not say much and we did not want to overwhelm her with questions. However, it was plain to see that this girl has suffered much. The boys in her group exploit her too. Life has not been kind to this girl. Yesterday, she was a monster but today we see that she is a vulnerable girl alone in this world. She did a beautiful job coloring. It was clear that she had some artistic talent. We commended her on her work. She gave a timid smile. It was clear that she appreciated it. She did not want to finish it. She told us that she will complete it the next time we are there. We told her that we will be here waiting for her.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. John 10:27-29

There is a strange phenomenon occurring in the streets. Well, it is strange for us but in reality it is the same cycle which has been occurring for many decades. It still perturbs our souls, regardless. On Wednesday, we sat and observed a new immigration of children to the streets. There must have been at least twenty children if not more. Many appeared to be under the age of ten years. They bear the signs that they have escaped as a group from somewhere; a veteran teen told us that they have escaped from an orphanage. I am not sure if the word “escaped” is appropriate. No one ever comes looking for them. They have just abandoned a place where they were neglected. Now they have the sense of being freed from all rules and regulations. They are unsure what to make of their newfound status. The streets are never an easy place for anyone, much less for young children. They have to prove themselves. They have decided to become relentless thieves. It has become some sort of game. After all, they are still children. They are unaware of many things. They live in an immature world where everything is play. The problem is they might not ever mature. The thrill and excitement of getting away with something is a worse addiction than any hard drugs. Many who hold much wealth and power have never overcome this pernicious vice of being able to get away with something immoral.

No one says anything to them. No one can say anything to them. They don’t respect anyone. These children are a terror for now. Thankfully, they are smart enough to leave some people alone and we are included in this group. Not that there was a lack of trying. We are still strangers to them. One of them attempted to steal something from me but immediately, the veteran teens stepped in and warned them that we are off limits. I wasn’t too offended, just a little. Nevertheless it is part of their learning process. A long time ago, there was a time a young boy just like them who stole my Uno game. Eventually, he became one of our favorite boys and we even took him to the zoo on his birthday. These children will gradually calm down but for the moment, they are a terror.

We weren’t the only ones watching these unruly newcomers. Daniel and many of the older teens were watching them too. Daniel and his brothers were just like them about 8 years ago. Daniel was a preteen when he came to live in the streets. He will be twenty in June. Just like these kids, he came in a group of twenty or more. Now, some are in prison. Some have gone home. One has gone into hiding. Many still remain in the streets. Amazingly, none from that group have passed away. We are grateful for this. Young children immigrate to the streets of the center in groups, usually after they meet in an orphanage or even in the juvenile detention center. The city center is a tough place to be alone. Our children have learned from a very young age that there is safety in numbers. I asked Daniel if he wanted to play a game. He told me that he was in a pensive mood. He has been a little serious recently.

It is not necessary to ask too many questions. Daniel communicates effectively with his body and facial expressions. He has been feeling lost and disoriented lately. Maybe the presence of these newcomers have made him realize that he is stuck in this cycle of emptiness and abandonment. Deep down inside he hears a voice beckoning him to leave it. Daniel shared once that he feels trapped and helpless and yet he knows that there is a better way. “It is strength that I lack.” He claims. Daniel told me that he can’t do much today. He needs to think.

“The wise man (sic) knows how to run his life so that contemplation is possible.” Gabriel Marcel

It is strange that we heard several people express this same sentiment from beyond the streets. We had a string of bad luck with our dentists. Almost all our previous ones have left the city or retired. Hopefully, it has nothing to do with us. Not too long ago, I walked by this old rundown building and saw a sign for dentist. The dentist was old as the building. I liked him but he had the strange habit which many dentists have. He likes to chat while stuffing all kinds of apparatus in my mouth. He shared that he was feeling a little lost and disillusioned with the way things are. He belongs to the Jewish community and plans to leave this country for Israel in a few years time. He is not far turning eighty. His intent to move is not due to his religious conviction. He said that his heart aches to see what has happening to his beloved country where he spent all his life and raised his family. It has not gotten worse. It has just never gotten better. There was a profound sadness in his voice as he said this. Soon after we left the dentist clinic as we were crossing the streets, we and a woman also crossing were almost run down by a car whose driver completely ignored our presence and existence. This is quite common today. One would think that there is a moratorium on traffic rules in this city. As usual, it is the pedestrians who suffer this lawlessness. Pedestrians always pay for the incompetence and apathy of those in power. There is lawlessness in every aspect of society and the pedestrians of life have become accustomed to it. The woman remarked with profound sadness in her voice that we are slowly slipping into hopelessness and darkness. These are not your common political conversations. Needless to say there is never a lack of people who are willing to share their political opinions and the solutions which they have figured out from the comfort of their armchairs. No. These two people shared their sadness without pretending that they have the solution. The truth is they don’t see any hope in the near or distant future. They just see a cycle of hopelessness and abandonment. This is not just a problem of the situation of the homeless children and teens. It is something everywhere and most likely it has always been there. Perhaps, the situation in streets is the reality of society reflected without its lies and falsehoods.

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the Lord
 and relies upon his God? But all of you are kindlers of fire, lighters of firebrands. Walk in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that you have kindled! This is what you shall have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment. Isaiah 50: 10-11

There are too many people who offer false hopes and even more who listen to them. They invite us to draw close to the fire that they have started and claim that it is the Light. Eventually, their sparks will burn and bruise our souls if we are fortunate. In most cases, they ruin our souls. However, there are some who wait for the voice of the Shepherd. These are different. They are not complaining about the way things are. They see how things are and they feel lost and abandoned. They are waiting in the darkness for a voice. However, not any voice will do. There are many who promise this or that. They distract us from the Truth. They claim to be defenders of the Truth but nothing could be further away from this. There is darkness which encompasses us. We are not exempt from it. We cannot say that we are carrying the torch to lead the children and teens away from this cycle of darkness and more darkness. We don’t hold the patent on the Shepherd’s voice. He speaks when He is ready. For now, He prepares our souls to listen. Part of this involves us not being distracted by the lies and false fires. The new batch of kids in the streets are being seduced with false sense of belonging and security. Eventually, some or maybe just one of them will be like Daniel and contemplate on the futility of it all. We have a simple role in this process. We wait in the darkness with these sheep and remind them that eventually His voice will be heard in our souls. This is our hope and joy in this world which promotes cycles of abandonment and suffering.

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” – John 20:26-29

St John the evangelist was building up to this moment.

He was the only author of the gospels to give Thomas the apostle a voice. The others just mentioned his name and nothing more. John first introduced this apostle when Jesus insisted on going back to Judea to raise Lazarus. The apostles argued that it was a dangerous move. Everyone was reluctant except Thomas.

“Let us also go, that we may die with him.” John 11:16

He was willing to follow Jesus even though he thought that the whole endeavor was bordering on suicide. On another occasion, Jesus was telling the distraught disciples about leaving to prepare a place for them. This was not enough for Thomas. He wanted to know about this place so that he could be close to Jesus.

“Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” John 14:5

Last but not least, he was the only person in all the gospels to explicitly confess that Jesus is God. While the rest of the apostles were still trying to fathom everything which was happening, Thomas was able to put two and two together. This man was someone who was serious about following Jesus.

This is the portrait John the evangelist painted of this apostle. He was a man of great faith who wanted to follow Jesus without any ambiguities. He was willing to give his all for Christ. Therefore, it is understandable that a secondhand account of the Resurrected Christ would not do for him. He was right. Our faith is too important to rest on the experience of others. It must become something real for us. We need to meet the Risen Christ ourselves. However, Thomas had doubts. They were not necessarily about the resurrection of Jesus. After all, he knew the apostles. No doubt they were his close friends. They had no reason to lie about such an important event. I believe that Thomas had the kind of doubt which most of us experience quite frequently. He wondered if he was still part of this great and wonderful thing Jesus was doing in their midst. He wanted some assurance. In his desperation, he limited how Jesus should reveal Himself. Well, in his case, it worked out. In spite of this, Jesus tells us that this is not going to be always the case. Things are not going to be so obvious.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” Matthew 6:22

This week we met a young man named Yuri. He was amazed how long we have been around here. He claimed that we knew him when he was a young boy. There was a time when Russian names were popular in Brazil. We know quite a number of “Yuris” and “Igors” and they are about the same age. This particular one I don’t recall ever meeting. Even though he got some details right, I am pretty sure that he has mistaken us for someone else. It is also very possible that my memory is failing me. Maybe this is why he was prompted to ask a follow up question: my age. I told him and he responded saying that I was as old as his grandfather. There are many ways to take this comment but sincerely I felt good about it. It reflects our journey in this place. When I first came to this ministry, we were like older siblings to most of the children. A few years later. we were assuming the role of a parent. Now, we have attained the grandparent status. It feels special and privileged to grow in this same place. It will be really special if we can reach the great-grandparent stage one day.

Bruno was sitting next to us and he asked what it was like when we first came here in nineties. It was a very different world. Needless to say, I was a very different person. I was ready to conquer the world with the help of Jesus, of course. I believed that I aspired to be the male version of Mother Theresa. I thought that I had some magic words which would convince all the homeless children to leave the streets and flock to shelters and homes. I imagined sharing “success” stories to the churches so that they would be impressed with the ministry here. There was definitely lot of ego involved, I admit. However, it was much more than that. I truly believed that I needed to see all these things happening to prove to myself that God was including me in His great plan here. Then I encountered reality and it appeared that God wasn’t cooperating with our plans. Even though I never doubted God’s power, I did end up doubting myself.

I told Bruno that there were about three to five hundred homeless children sleeping right in the spot where we were. He found that hard to believe. It is strange to hear from a homeless youth. Presently we have about a hundred children and teens sleeping in that area: a smaller number, albeit still disturbing. Back then the homeless children seemed poorer and malnourished. Almost all were addicted to crack cocaine. This is another major difference today. None of our children and teens use crack. In fact, they consider it as an insult to call someone a crack addict. Moreover, there was the Aids pandemic and a vast majority of the children were HIV positive. Many died from the disease for a lack of treatment. Violence and murder were also a common occurrence. One of our most heart-rending memories involves helping a mother retrieve the corpse of her murdered daughter from the morgue. Crime was rampant and brutal. No one could walk past the children and teens without being robbed. As I was reminiscing, I noticed a small group of curious teens gathering around to listen to my stories. I really felt like a grandfather now talking about the past. The only difference was that those weren’t the good ole days. Something has changed for the better. I have not noticed it until today.

There are many things in this world which have gone from bad to worse. Many times I have wondered why God is not doing anything concrete. Corruption has become worse. The sense of apathy is steadily growing. Strangely in the midst of all these miseries, the Risen Christ is quietly changing a situation which no one cares about. Since the time we came in the nineties until now, things have gotten better. We overlooked the things He was doing because we were blinded by own expectations. There are less homeless children and teens in the streets now. Death occurs but not at the rate as before. Crime is present but it is not as bad as before. Teenage pregnancy dropped drastically. Before almost all the girls were constantly with child. Now, this is quite rare. The children sniff paint thinner and sometimes glue but this is far better than becoming crack addicts. Most importantly, our relationship with the children and teens is more real and special than before.

In the past, we were so busy trying to treat the problems that we forgot the individual involved. Today, we have learned to see them as individuals first and listen to them as they show us how to walk with them. They have become our children and grandchildren. They have a special place in our hearts.

The Risen Christ is present in this place. I always believed it. However, there is a tendency within us to restrict His actions. We might be so keen on seeing results according to our expectations that we can miss seeing His actions among us. Worse still, we might settle for some mediocre idea of success when the Risen Christ has something far superior in store for us. Thomas did not want to settle for anything less than the Risen Christ. We can appreciate that. We want to be like Thomas in this sense. However, Jesus would like us to be open and see beyond our perceptions and expectations so that we can truly marvel at the wondrous works of our Risen Lord.

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.