Neli ML

        First Sunday of Advent 2022 Matthew Rev. Neli Miranda   Today, we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. Advent season opens a new Liturgical Year, gives us the opportunity to spiritually begin anew, and guides us on our path of preparation to receive God’s visitation on Christmas. The tradition for the first Sunday of Advent includes lighting the candle of hope, which reminds us that hope is a human vocation. This candle is also called the “Prophecy Candle” because it reminds us of the hopeful message of the prophets in the Old Testament, who dreamed of a world of peace as Isaiah reminds us today, “[the peoples] shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (2:4-5). It was the prophets who gave voice to the people’s hope, who amid the monarchy’s mess and the difficult exile, remained faithful to God and envisioned liberation, restoration, and the c

  Proper 28, November 13, 2022 Luke 21:5,19 Rev. Neli Miranda Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem in the temple where he has been teaching since his arrival. In the preceding chapters, Jesus had also been in the temple driving out all those who were trading. So, it is no surprise that Jesus’ actions and teachings have attracted the opposition of the chief priests and the dominant groups residing in Jerusalem. And today, while some admire the magnificent temple, Jesus announces some shocking news: the temple they so much admire will be destroyed! Let’s remember that the first temple in Jerusalem was built during King Solomon’s reign, and according to the biblical account, it was a magnificent, luxurious temple, built with imported wood and decorated in gold. The construction used forced labor and took twenty years to build, and to finance it, King Solomon imposed an additional tax on the people besides the payment of the tenth-tax used for palac

  Proper 27 Luke 20,27-38 Rev. Neli Miranda   On November 1, Christian tradition celebrates All Saints’ Day to honor and remember all the saints of the church recognized for their exemplary lives. All Saints’ Day is followed by the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed on November 2. On this day, we remember all those who have died in the faith of Jesus, particularly our family members and friends who have gone before us. In our Anglican tradition, many congregations commemorate all the faithful departed on All Saints’ Day. Our liturgical order allows us to celebrate All Saints’ Day on the Sunday following November 1.   Thus, today we honor and rejoice in all those who through the ages have faithfully served the Lord, especially our beloved ones who have preceded us into the eternal kingdom, where there is no more pain and suffering but eternal joy. This celebration embodies our Christian belief in Jesus’ victory over death, which assures us that death is only a step in our