He Is Risen!

In the liturgical community of Grace Lutheran Church, and I assume in many other Lutheran churches, it is a common statement and response at Easter to hear "He has risen" ... "He has risen indeed"! An interesting declaration. Almost like one could be saying this with so much emphasis as to make it more factual. The fact of the Resurrection is an area of some degree of scientific study and is accepted on faith by most Christians. For myself this is an historical fact accepted by faith and a fair degree of evidentury proof. The proof is not so important to me but the study is interesting. To myself the event of the Resurrection is the most important aspect of the Christic experience available to us as humans on an historical timeline. This is the point in the ventury or center of the hourglass presented by Richard Rohr in his study of the cosmic Christ. The point of transition from the eternal Godbeing of Christ, through the Godman being of Jesus, and into the GodManSpirit being of the resurrected Christ and later in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. This is the pattern for all of us to follow. Last time I spoke of the book by Rob Bell which has engendered much controversy especially within the more fundamental and conservative Christian churches. Most probably because this writer is coming out of that same background. I'll just call it Emerging. Anyhow I'd like to dwell on that debate a bit next time but for now to just focus on that Resurrected Jesus as Christ. As I see that event as being the transitional or transcending event of man in union with God and that event being the start of a new era. Then I'd just like to restate that previous declaration as follows: "He has Risen!"...."He has Risen In Deed"! Think about that for a moment. Instead of being a declarative statement of a past action at a point in time it is a descriptive statement of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our present day. Much better, In my opinion. Pax Christi! Happy Easter! Roberto Vincente

All You Need is Love! ??

I have been very neglectful of posting my thoughts in this forum lately. Mea culpa, Mea culpa, Mea maxima culpa! Somewhere around four months. I do have reasons but no valid excuses. In the past few months I've undergone a geographical move of a few miles due to financial needs and a bit pridefully, I believe that the posts of the past year have quite a depth of consideration in the realm of meaningful thought. Wondering what more I can say. Not all the answers but a very vibrant and yes Loving way of seeing this existence and our path within. This past weekend I had a great visit with my son, Michael, and he asked if I was going to continue this medium and it seems that at every corner I'm experiencing a new acquaintance, or book, or rainbow which interacts with and embellishes the path I've started in the past couple of years. So further comments should be posted for me to hold it together in some tangible form. The written word as well as other communicative and artistic forms seem to be a very expressive example of the "image of God" we seem to be blessed with and challenged by.

I chose the title of this post as It seems that the common element of all these writers whom I've gleaned much these past months have taken the concept of God to a declaration of Love. God is Love. I don't wish to be too simplistic about the subject but since I lived through the era of the 60's I feel that I have some valid perception. As Marianne Williamson noted in her book, Saving the Soul of America, we had a great idea but it was thwarted in its infancy for many reasons. The Love generation had some great drive but it seems to me that it got hijacked down several roads to the point of narcissism and ineffectiveness during its nascent moments. Recently read a book by Pastor Rob Bell titled Love Wins. At first it seemed that the book was not near as impactful as some earlier read but the substance of his points are very solid. He has a very open, accepting and loving approach to Heaven, Hell and the Gospel. So much so I can see why he has been branded as a heretic by many of the more conservative bent. I'm going to copy a portion of his jacket as kind of a synopsis of what he's saying. Before doing so thought I'd make note of the reason for the shell as a picture for this post. Many of the writers promoted here have commented on the innerconnectivity of all creation as being an example of the Christic presence in all of it. I don't pretend to understand it completely but it is obvious enough for little ol me to acknowledge the possibility and I feel the probability of such connectedness. Anyhow one of the ideas mentioned was the "Golden Mean" which is a ratio found in many places within nature. I'll have to look that number up again but I recall that it is represented in the rings of the shell on a snail, so that's why the picture.

The jacket quote: "Millions of Christians have struggled with how to reconcile God's love and God's judgment: Has God created billions of people over thousands of years only to select a few to go to heaven and everyone else to suffer forever in hell? Is this acceptable to God? How is this "good news"? Troubling questions-so troubling that many have lost their faith because of them. Others only whisper the questions to themselves, fearing or being taught that they might lose their faith and their church if they ask them out loud. But what if these questions trouble us for good reason? ....What if it is God who wants us to face these questions?" In light of the total picture. More later but there is an interesting question as a title to one of the chapters in the book; "Does God Get What God Wants?", i.e. renewal and reconciling of All things to Himself!

Pax Christi! RV

John Michael Talbot - Holy is His Name - Quiet Reflections Part 4

Back to Kauai~Pearl Cove revisited!

Thank You Sherita, my Pearl, for asking your mortal remains to be rested on the beach in Kauai where we solemnized our marriage vows. I wish to remake this trip as the opportunity arises, especially the last time. The spirit or physical attributes of that Aloha Spirit so present here is very rejuvenating. As I mentioned earlier on this blog/journal, I am aware that the Peaceful ambiance one imagines when arriving on island is somewhat a symbol or perceived construct. There has been much non Aloha in the islands past and conversely there is an Aloha Spirit almost anywhere in God's creation if we choose to see it and nurture it to fruition. With that caveat noted it is way easier to feel the Spirit here, so Mahalo Nui Loa my Pearl for the touch! I love you with all my heart and I always will. That being said does it preclude the likelihood of my finding another soul mate in this dimension to collaborate with on this circular path of life? I believe not. Just as we love our children equally with all our heart and God loves all His creation equally, without limit or condition, we have an example of how we can love to the greatest manifestation possible with a like minded spirit. You and I were a blessing to each other and to our connections as a couple. As stated in an earlier letter you appear to have been moved forward as having mastered the lessons of life. I'm here with your memory and love to carry on as the Spirit leads. I'm listening! Love! RV

Kauai! ~ The End of the Rainbow

I've been to Hawaii three times in my life. Considering how much I seem to love the place you'd think I'd go every chance I could. Lately Hawaii has been on my mind again and since the weather here is getting wintry this weekend I'm headed back to Kauai for a bit. I believe that the mystery and beauty of that Island is almost a picture of my spiritual journey, especially of late, and especially this trip. More on that to come or as they say in Jamaica, soon come :O). Since I have to leave for the SuperKids program in Jamaica on November 4th guess I can't stay in Kauai too long this time. Gosh this "retirement" thing is hard work! :O) Back to Kauai and Hawaii. Considering the beauty of Creation, The beautiful linguistic use of the same word to describe Love, Hello, and Goodbye (that's not even considering the beautiful job they do with only a 13 letter alphabet)(that may also say volumes about the efficaciousness of the plethora of philosophical, theological, etc works out there at the hand of man), The commingling of so many races over the centuries to give the image of homogeneity. If one is to look closely these are the flesh of many of the parts of the body of thought I'm trying to express. The connectedness of all creation, Love being the center of all beginnings and departures, and the all of humanity being one big family. The thought has occurred to me that Paradox has also been a big part of Hawaii which is also a big part of the Emerging movement in recognizing the non dualistic, non judgemental, balance of apparent opposites in the biggest picture of the "Cosmic Christ". I see that paradox in the beauty born from the relationship of Fire and Water, and Air. I see that paradox in the plain fact that in spite of the image we have today of this Idyllic Paradise one can readily see, in the not so distant past a very tribal and violent lifestyle, not so distant at all if one is to wander off the beaten track into a natives "herb" garden. The same beach upon which Sherita and I were married in 2004 and where her ashes were scattered last year was also the scene of a major massacre in 1796 when King Kamehameha tried to conquer Kauai. It is becoming very clear to me that Kauai is playing a significant part in my growth for the future. It has been the site of Great Love and Great Suffering and possibly Great Love again. Death (the ultimate frontier) and New Beginnings. The "Circle of Life" goes around again. Hang on and keep rowing! Aloha, ALOHA, A LO HA! Mahalo E ka Haku! Roberto Vincente

An Eagle Soaring!

The past couple of months have been very meaningful for my path. During this time I have traveled through the period of the second years anniversary of Sherita's passing, her memorial, both of our birthdays and the ripening of the fruit of the spiritual path upon which I've been of late. Actually that path started so many years ago. I have recently felt an amazing gift of connection with creation and I feel very blessed to be present in God's Creation at this time, if time has anything to do with anything. A close friend stated that "I don't do Old, I just do Happy"! Very profound; In that if we stay as active as possible (mind,body, and spirit) from a cup 1/2 full perspective the negative aspects of mortal life will have a very hard time catching up with us. This perspective of looking at the whole of creation, relating to that creation, gliding forth on our flight with the eddies and thermals (of the breath of God) is very well exemplified with the image of the Eagle in flight. In this part of Southern Oregon that same image could come from the Osprey, which are also very special, but the Eagle is very special indeed. Much more will be posted here in the near future as I am confident of the opening of a new phase of my journey which I choose to record here and hope to share with many. During the balance of the year(there goes that time thing again) I hope to find great joy in experiencing not only the "mentoring of youth" from the local corrections department (via the Foster Grandparents Pgm) but also a revisit to Kauai leading to a fresh direction, a literacy project for "Superkids" in Jamaica, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebration with family, and Lord only knows what else, and that pleases me very much. Hope you're along for the ride! !Pax Christi! RV

Balance according to "Calvin" - & Hobbes not John :O)

Last night President Obama announced the primary troop pull out of Iraq. Of course there was a goodly amount of political posturing in the process and then the usual debate on both sides of the "war" issue. Such machinations are expected but it is disturbing to go through the process. Some of the greatest criticism came from the left as Obama tried to acknowledge the "good intentions and patriotism" of then President Bush. This attempt to take a higher road is a problem for President Obama. My confidence in him remains unchanged but I am concerned about his "political" future as he doesn't seem to be pleasing enough people in his own chosen party and the results are all about numbers. In one of the liberal pundents program there is a reference to the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes in which there is a dispute between Calvin and Hobbes about the fair distribution of proceeds of a project. They end up with a compromise but Calvin comments that " A good compromise leaves everybody mad". I believe maybe we need something beyond the idea of compromise as a methodology for finding a beneficial path to a goal. I fear that such a movement is entering into the "transformational" spirit world and will be a very difficult achievement coming from a historical and mind centered posture. That is the reason for the picture above. The Giraffe's seem to be relating much more effectively from a "heart" level than a "head" level. Obviously even if we are able to relate at a heart level, action of necessity will need to come also from the mind. So there does need to be a Co-Operation of the two. Or at least an agreement between the two to work together rather than make it an adversarial conflict. I don't always agree with the writing of Jim Wallis of Sojourners. His column is titled "Hearts & Minds" which seems to be just what I'm referring too above. And I do agree with his latest article "Time to End This War". It is referring to a substantial reframing of our presence in that part of the world, a whole new approach. I agree and will close this post with a couple of excerpts from that article.

"How might we reduce and defeat the causes of terrorism in the first place? Nonmilitary strategies should lead the way, with the focus on humanitarian assistance, sustainable economic development, and international policing. It should be led by civilian nongovernmental organizations, both faith-based and secular, that have been in the region for years, are locally rooted, and are more trusted by the people than the U.S. government using aid as an adjunct to military operations.....Effective development needs security. We should start in areas that are secure and then grow to additional parts of the country, providing only the security necessary to protect the rebuilding (think international here, my words). That kind of peacekeeping would be more likely to gain the international support we need in Afghanistan, from Europe and even from Arab and Muslim countries.

The current strategy will only lead to more casualties--U.S. and Afghan--while strengthening popular support for the Taliban as an anti-occupation force. It is a strategy of endless war that is ultimately doomed to failure." Success in that area of the world will come only with co-operation not occupation! Pax Christi! RV