Neli ML

  Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Mathew 5,1-12 Rev. Neli Miranda Honor and shame were two polar opposites in the social system that structured daily life of the Israelite society in the first century. In Jesus’ time, the recognition of honor was mainly related to the socioeconomic status of one’s family and the possession of land and wealth. By contrast, shame was related to an individual’s or the family’s loss of status or the loss of land and wealth. Both honor and shame were subjective feelings, but they were also positions ascribed by society according to its own social conventions. So, being recognized as honorable and not falling into shame was a continuous social struggle for many. In Jesus’ time, the elite claimed honor by making evident the large portions of land, servants, and wealth they possessed; by wearing elegant clothing and jewelry, serving ostentatious meals, receiving honors in public, displaying power with violence, among other practices. The honor hel...

Third Sunday after the Epiphany Isaiah 9:1-4; Matthew 4:12-23 Rev. Neli Miranda   The Epiphany comes to us today from Galilee, a region in northern Israel, where Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God. During the monarchy this region was occupied by the tribes of Zebulun, Naphtali and Asher and was part of the northern kingdom of Israel until its invasion and colonization by the Assyrians in the 8 th century BC. This situation of oppression and suffering is pointed out by the prophet Isaiah in the first lesson where he proclaims hope and redemption for the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, “ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9,2) Eight centuries later, Matthew recalls Isaiah’s announcement about the liberation and redemption of this region and puts it in the light of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, which now suffers under Roman control. Matthew tells us that Je...

  Second Sunday after the Epiphany John 1:29-40 Rev. Neli Miranda   On January 6, our Christian tradition celebrates Epiphany Day, a feast day to celebrate the manifestation of God incarnate in the baby Jesus, who is worshiped like a king by the magi who represent all the peoples of   the earth. From this day, the biblical lessons bring us memories that reveal the divinity of Jesus. Last Sunday, for instance, at his baptism, we heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, The Beloved, with whom I am well pleased”. Today, we read a particular remembrance from John the Evangelist, who collects John the Baptist’s memories related to Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his ministry. So far, John the Baptist’s proclamation about the coming of the One Sent by God has raised great expectation amid the people, and he has gained prominence in such a way that some believe he is the Messiah. However, he denies it and rather than exalting himself, the Baptist, with g...

Third Sunday of Advent 2022 Matthew 11:1-9, Isaiah 35: 1-10, Canticle 15, The song of Mary Rev. Neli Miranda             The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday”, which means “Sunday of joy”, and invite us to live the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration. The lessons we read today call us to rejoice in the past, present and the future manifestation of God among the whole creation. In the first reading, Isaiah offers us a splendid vision of the coming of God among the suffering people of Israel who lived under the oppression of foreign rulers (Babylonians, Persians, and then Hellenes).   Isaiah announces the redemption of the people, that is, their freedom from political captivity and oppression, so they can envision themselves journeying back to Jerusalem.   Notice that God’s manifestation begins in the natural world; it is the land and plants that first awaken, respond, and...

Second Sunday of Advent Matthew 3:1-12 Rev. Neli Miranda   Advent unfolds in the past, present, and future dimensions and each one of them points to the manifestation of God in our midst and all creation. The first dimension reminds us of the first Advent proclaimed by the prophets and the birth of Jesus, which fulfilled the hope of the faithful Israelites. The second dimension proclaims the return of Jesus and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God in the world. And, the third dimension is more daily, it is about the continuous coming of God to our lives. These dimensions are intertwined in Advent season spirituality when we look back, forward, and activate with hope in our present. Today's Gospel tells us about the first Advent whose proclamation begins in the wilderness . Matthew tells us that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling people to repent. “In those days John the Baptist appeared i...

        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 ...

  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 p...