Fully Alive in God

    M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard ( Deut. 18:15–20; S./Ps. 111; 1 Cor. 8:1–13; S. Mar. 1:21–28) “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. El conocimiento hincha de orgullo, en tanto que el amor edifica la comunidad.” Wow, did I learn that as a younger priest. Because you come out of seminary so full of knowledge, and the ordination exams give you a false sense that if you just have the right answer, people will somehow be enlightened or blessed by your presence. El seminario le da una idea de que siempre tiene que tener la respuesta apropiada, y así es la gente iluminada. But it’s not that simple. As you see in Jesus’ interaction with the man who is possessed today, he is in the temple and what is required here is not his intellect, but his heart and spirit. A heart to release this man from a spirit of bondage and fill him with the Holy Spirit. No es tan sencillo. Aquí en la escritura vemos que Jesús está en la sinagoga en Cafarnaúm y entra el señor con un...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard (Jonah 3: 1–5, 10; Psalm 62: 6–14; 1 Corinthians 7: 29–31; Mark 1: 14–20) What time is it? Although we are most of the way through January, it is a new day. Many around the country sensed a possibility for a fresh start this week, even as some may have felt defeated. For many it felt like a time of promise and hope, after so long spent in fear and sorrow. Jesus came to those in Galilee some simple words. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Then he called some of his disciples, Simon and Andrew, saying “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Such simple words, but the meaning is profound. The time is fulfilled, or is among us, or time’s up. Time to get with the program and follow God. We too are hearing that. Not only do we need to hear God’s call in our lives to repent of the sins of racism, of our degradation of the earth, and so many other ills, but we a...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard ( Jonás 3:1–5, 10; Salmo 62:6–14 loc; 1 Corintios 7:29–31; San Marcos 1:14–20) ¿Qué hora es? Aunque estamos la mayor parte del camino por el mes de enero, es un nuevo día. Muchos en todo el país sintieron la posibilidad de un nuevo comienzo esta semana, incluso cuando algunos pueden haberse sentido derrotados. Para muchos, se sintió como un momento de promesa y esperanza, después de tanto tiempo pasados en el miedo y la tristeza. Jesús vino a los en Galilea con algunas palabras sencillas: «Ya se cumplió el plazo señalado, y el reino de Dios está cerca. Vuélvanse a Dios y acepten con fe sus buenas noticias.» Luego, el llam ó a dos discípulos, Simón y Andrés, que eran pescadores, y les dijo: “ Síganme, y yo haré que ustedes sean pescadores de hombres.” Palabras tan simples, pero el significado es profundo. El tiempo se ha cumplido, o ya estamos en el tiempo, o se acabó el tiempo de esperar. Es hora de seguir el programa y seguir a ...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard († Jeremiah 31: 7–14 † Psalm 84 † Ephesians 1: 3–6; 15–19a † Matthew 2: 13–15, 19–23) During our alternative “Los Posadas” celebration this year, Karen James and Cindy Morales read books to the children about the stories of Christmas. And one was called Refuge . [1] It was quieter than the other stories, which were full of colors and bigger moments. It was darker and a little scary. From the donkey's point of view, we heard how the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt. How they stayed there. At one point, Karen asked the children if the holy family stayed with relatives or with strangers. And the children very wisely answered that they stayed with strangers. And that touched my heart. In the miracle of the arrival of the God child into the world, we did not escape from the reality of the world. Many people love their homeland, but out of necessity or a better opportunity, they have to move, whether temporarily or permanently. The Hol...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard († Jeremías 31:7–14 † Salmo 84 † Efesios 1:3–6; 15–19a † San Mateo 2:13–15, 19–23) Durante nuestra celebración alternativa de “Posadas” este ano, Karen James y Cindy Morales leyeron libros a los niños sobre las historias de la Navidad. Y uno se llamaba Refuge o Refugio . [1] Fue más quieta que las otras historias, que fueron llenos de colores. Ero más oscuro y un poco temeroso. Desde el punto de vista del burro, escuchamos como la sagrada familia tenía que huir a Egipto. Como quedaron allí. En un momento, Karen pregunto a los niños si quedo la sagrada familia con familiares o con extranjeros. Y los niños contestaron muy sabiamente que quedaron con extranjeros. Y esto me toc ó el corazón. En el milagro de la llegada del niño Dios en el mundo, no escapamos de la realidad del mundo. Mucha gente ama a su tierra de origen, pero por necesidad o una mejor oportunidad, ellos se tienen que mudar, si sea temporariamente o permanentemente. ...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard ( Isaiah 9:2-7 ; (Ps. 96; Titus 2:11-14 ); Luke (1:26-38; 2:1-20)   The first thing I have to share tonight is that our dog tried to eat Christmas! ¡Nuestra perra trataba de comer la Navidad! Well, not literally, but let me tell you. One night early in Advent I left the Advent Wreath on the dining table, along with our butter dish with butter on it. And on the Advent Wreath was perched the smallest nativity, made out of a large enameled nut shell from Latin America. Yo dej é un plato que contenía mantequilla en mi mesa por error al lado de mi corona de adviento que también tenía un pequeño nacimiento de América Latina hecho de una cascara pintada. I got up in the morning and it was a disaster. The dog had carefully coaxed the butter dish onto the chair and licked almost a whole stick of butter up. Not so bad, really, as long as her system could handle it. La perra había comido toda la mantequilla muy cuidadosamente, no quebra...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Saints, Oxnard ( 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 ; Romans 16:25-27 ; Luke 1:26-38 ; Canticle 15 )   Happy Advent Four! Today we light the fourth candle of our Advent Wreath, even as our Jewish siblings are just extinguishing their Hanukkah candles. A rabbi friend told me the other day that in the mystical tradition of Kabbala there is a concept about candles representing human beings and our capacity for kindness. In ancient times a candle was made up of a wick in a vessel of oil. And in this tradition, the human being is the wick. And that person’s acts of kindness are the oil. Those acts of kindness make their spiritual flame burn brighter as they are more generous with others. And this makes me think of Mary. If ever a young woman lit up the world, it was Mary of Nazareth. We celebrated her last Saturday, noting her apparitions all over the world to let us know that God is with us. And we know that this simple humble girl from back of the beyond Naz...