Fully Alive in God

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard (Genesis 45:3–11, 15; Ps. 37:1–11, 39–40; 1 Cor. 15:35–38, 42–50; Luke 6:27–38)   Last Friday at the pantry we had an interesting visitor. There was a gentleman in the patio and one of our pantry leaders, Vern, went to tell him that it was his turn next in line, only the fellow wasn’t there for the pantry or somehow got mad, and what ensued was him hitting Vern on the back with a t-shirt and then swearing at him when he said he had to move on. I joined Vern in coaxing the man out of the gate, as did Ana, but he was unfortunately quite riled up. At one point he tried to kick Vern and we had to call the police, which is definitely our last resort. But we also told him: “You are better than this!” When he left (before the police arrived as they were short staffed), I realized that the same phrase “you are better than this!” is what I have been wanting to say to some of the leadership in our country right now. At the same time,...

    M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard (Génesis 45:3–11, 15; Salmo 37:1–11, 39–40; 1 Corintios 15:35–38, 42–50; San Lucas 6:27–38) El viernes pasado, en la despensa, tuvimos una visita interesante. Había un señor en el patio y uno de los líderes de nuestra despensa, Vern, fue a decirle que era su turno en la fila, pero el tipo no estaba allí para la despensa o de alguna manera se enojó, y lo que siguió fue que golpeó a Vern en la espalda con una camiseta y luego lo insultó cuando dijo que tenía que irse. Me uní a Vern para convencer al hombre de que saliera de la puerta, al igual que Ana, pero lamentablemente estaba bastante enojado. En un momento trató de patear a Vern y tuvimos que llamar a la policía, que definitivamente es nuestro último recurso. Pero también le dijimos: "¡Eres mejor que esto!" “You’re better than this!” We told the guy. Después de la visita de la policía (quienes llegaron después de su salida), me di cuenta de que quisiera yo decir lo mism...

  Christ is the Promise of More Epiphany 6C, 2025 (Luke 6, 1 Cor. 15, Jeremiah 17) St Francis, Simi Valley and All Santos, Oxnard The Revs. Alene and Melissa Campbell-Langdell   I love to watch detective shows on TV, but since they’re my way to relax, I prefer those mystery shows where after the obligatory murder that starts the mystery, the rest is mostly solved through astute following of clues and very little violence and bloodshed.   But, it seems there is always a moment even in the most puzzle oriented detective shows where the writers feel like the intensity needs to be amped up a bit.    At those moments, I find myself yelling at the screen, “Don’t go there by yourself without telling anyone.   That’s just stupid!   What are you thinking?”   As I listened to the Working Preacher trying to parse out a better equivalent in English for Jesus’ word translated here as “Woe,” that image from detective shows kept coming to mind.   ...

  Cristo es la promesa de abundancia Epifanía 6C, 2024 (Lucas 6, 1 Cor. 15, Jeremías 17) All Santos Oxnard y St Francis, Simi Valley Las Reverendas Melissa y Alene Campbell-Langdell Me encanta mirar los programas de misterios detectives en la televisión, pero como son mi manera de relajarme, prefiero los misterios en los cuales, después el asesinato obligatorio al inicio, todo se resuelve a través de la solución de ciertas claves con muy poca violencia y poco derrame de sangre. Pero parece que, aun en las series mas enfocadas en solucionar problemas, hay un momento en que tienen que aumentar la velocidad. En estos momentos quiero gritar a la pantalla – no vayas allí sin acompañamiento – es muy estúpido – ¿! que estás pensando?!” Mientras escuche a un podcast que trataba de entender un mejor equivalente para la palabra que Jesús ocupa aquí para “Ay de ustedes”, una imagen de los programas de detectives me venia a la mente. “Ay, no, no vayas allí.” O “Ten cuidado si eres ri...

M. Campbell-Langdell All Saints, Oxnard (Isaiah 6:1–8, (9–13); Ps. 138; 1 Cor. 15:1–11; Luke 5:1–11) “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love Our God is an awesome God.” Leaving aside problematic interpretations of the song, there is still truth in these words from Rich Mullins circa 1989 and they could as easily have been Isaiah’s words or Peter’s words today, or Paul’s for that matter. Throughout today’s scriptures we see the majesty of God on display. Isaiah sees God in the temple of Jerusalem, seated in glory. The Psalmist, speaking of praising God before the gods, is referring to the host of heaven. And Paul speaks of a gospel truth that was so profound that it spoke to him even though he was separate from God’s truth and grace at first. Last but not least, Simon Peter and the disciples see the awesomeness of God in the miraculous catch of fish. Jesus is revealed as the Son of God through this and a series of other miracles during this ...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard (Isaías 6:1–8, (9–13); Salmo 138; 1 Corintios 15:1–11; San Lucas 5:1–11) “Tú eres todopoderoso Eres grande y majestuoso Eres fuerte, invencible Y no hay nadie como Tú” Tal vez han escuchado a Pastora Jade y Victor cantando esta canción por Danilo Montero (1999). Para mí, expresan un poco de lo que tal vez sentían ambos el profeta Isaías y Simón Pedro en las escrituras de hoy, incluso el salmista y San Pablo también. A través de las escrituras de hoy, vemos la majestad de Dios. Isaías vea a Dios entronado en el templo de Jerusalén. El salmista habla de alabar a Dios “entre los dioses,” y aquí refiere a los ángeles del cielo. Pablo habla de un evangelio y una verdad que fue tan profundo que lo habl ó , aunque estaba antes separado de la verdad y gracia de Dios. Finalmente, Simón Pedro y los discípulos ven lo asombroso que es Dios en la pesca milagrosa. Aquí Jesús esta revelado de nuevo como el Hijo de Dios. En esta sección de Luc...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard (Malaquías/Malachi 3:1–4; Salmo/Ps. 84; Hebreos/Hebrews 2:14–18; San Lucas/ Luke 2:22–40)   “Cuando se cumplieron los días en que ellos debían purificarse según la ley de Moisés, llevaron al niño a Jerusalén para presentárselo al Señor.” “When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” There is a lot of talk of purification in today’s readings, but to what kind of cleansing does it refer? In the scriptures, it is clear to me that spiritual cleansing, the removal of that which separates us from God, is the focus here rather than physical cleanliness. It is true that historically the purification was of a mother who was deemed ritually unclean after childbirth and who now needed to be officially welcomed back into the temple life. And the sacrifice in the temple and presentation of Jesus in the temple, a practice which is st...