“Forty Day Pilgrimage” [Emilio Chaviano]

“Forty Day Pilgrimage”

By

Emilio Chaviano

February 21, 2012

I recently became aware The Way, a film with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. The story is about what happens to these characters along the way to the Shrine of St. James in the city of Santiago in northern Spain. The idea of people going of long pilgrimages inspired by religious motivations is an ancient and interesting one. Christians are preparing to enter a period of spiritual preparation called Lent. Regardless of your spiritual or religious orientation I want to invite you to go on a symbolic journey for the next forty days. This is for those of us who would like to see some profound change in an important aspect of our lives. It is a journey of faith because we don’t know where it will lead. The pilgrimage begins tomorrow and the most difficult step is to decide you want to join and try this personal quest. I assure you that our pilgrimage together has nothing to do with “giving up” anything. On the contrary, we will find new things  to add to our lives. Let us begin by imagining the person we want to be in forty days and how you’d like to change. Bring an imaginary backpack, so that we can place in it reminders of the lessons we learn along The Way.

“Science and God” By Emilio Chaviano

“Science and God”

By

Emilio Chaviano

December 16, 2011

Has science found the “God particle”?  European nuclear research scientists have announced that they are close to discovering the elusive Higgs boson, the “God particle” that is thought to be the prime building block of the universe. I am happy for them and I sincerely pray that they find it. However; if scientists never find this subatomic particle, it would be fine with me also. My limited knowledge of science and theology simply makes me say…big deal!  The people I know in my family, friends, work, church, cafeteria, the mall, the streets, the doctor’s office, the funeral homes, the unemployment lines and the soup kitchens are not really interested in any sort of particle even if it carries God’s name. People are looking for a meaningful experience that involves their dreams, hopes, relationships, sense of purpose and identity. My personal view is that all the explosive power, order and mystery of the physical universe became available to all of us when a baby was born inBethlehemin a humble manger.  So my question for you today is not about finding a particle, but finding receiving the greatest mystery of all. O come, O come, Emmanuel!

Day Of Hope [Emilio Chaviano]

“Day of Hope”

By

Emilio Chaviano

Sept. 6, 2011

 

This coming Sunday Americans and people around the world will remember the tragic events that took place on the morning of September 11^, 2011. Memories and emotions will run deep on this 10^th Anniversary. People with a healthy faith and those with strong moral values condemn violence as a means to impose one’s way. This coming Sunday United Methodists in the US will gather in their places of worship to turn a day of infamy into a “Day of Hope.”  You are invited to join us if able. If you cannot, then spend a few moments of reflection according to your own conscience during the time of our gathering. We are calling 11:00am -12:00 noon “The Hour of Hope.”  May you, your loved ones and the entire human family live in peace and harmony on this day and always.

“Making Decisions” By Emilio Chaviano

“Making Decisions”

By

Emilio Chaviano

June  18, 2011

 

I have no idea how many people have sat across from me seeking help in making a difficult decision. More recently I have been teaching the essentials of chess to one of my grandsons. It is interesting to observe his frustration over how to best move his pieces on the board. When it comes to life we can listen to the voice of our hearts when making decisions. Many factors can help us in the process: reading scripture, following spiritual and moral principles, asking for advice from mentors and friends, analyzing the pros and cons of alternative courses of action. We should also learn to find the spiritual meaning of our emotions. God made us to trust experience. This is part of how we are “wired.” We are designed to hear God’s voice through our emotional responses to life experiences. Listen carefully to your heart since it is your move!

“Synchronicity” By Emilio Chaviano May 20, 2011

“Synchronicity”

 By

Emilio Chaviano

May 20, 2011

 

Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are apparently unrelated or unlikely to occur by chance, but they are observed to occur in some meaningful way. This concept was first described by Swiss psychologist Carl G. Jung. Twenty seven years ago, while living inAlabama, I met Mike and Margarita. We became friends and I visited in their home a good number of times. Tuesday of this week, at a conference held inMiami, I was approached by a man in his forties. Looking at my name tag he asked if

I had ever lived inAlabama. We had never met before, but he introduced himself as the son of the couple I had met over a quarter of a century ago. He told me that his parents had mentioned my name often over the years. What are the odds of this happening…is this synchronicity…have you had experiences similar to this one?  I have a friend who calls these experiences by a different name. In our attempt to understand things which are unexplainable, we call these events Divine Appointments.  I believe that these appointments are made for all of us. What we do with these meaningful events is very important. Let’s be ready for the next one!

“Stamp Out Hunger” By Emilio Chaviano May 12, 2011

“Stamp Out Hunger”

By

Emilio Chaviano

May 12, 2011

 

With all the news of dramatic events happening at home an abroad, it is possible to forget the fact that many Americans go to bed hungry every night. Nick Cannon, host ofAmerica’s Got Talent remembers his family turning to food pantries when he was younger. Those memories have inspired Cannon to team up with Feeding America, mail carriers and the Campbell Soup Company for the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” drive. Americans are encouraged to donate non-perishable foods in a sturdy bag next to their mailbox before the time of regular mail delivery this Saturday. We might not be able to totally stamp out hunger inAmerica, but we can sure make a difference in someone’s life. At the very least it will make a difference in us as we reflect on how people of faith discharge their sense of social responsibility. We all are called to leaving this world a little better then we found it.

“Let Us Pray” By Emilio Chaviano

“Let Us Pray”

By

Emilio Chaviano

May 5, 2011

 

The prayers we pray say a great deal about the kind of people we are. The same applies to the prayers we don’t pray. By extension prayers are a reflection of how a nation thinks of itself. In the Hebrew Scriptures we find great examples of people who prayed the kinds of prayers God loves to answer. Elijah prayed a prayer of self-sacrifice. Hezekiah prayed a prayer of total dependence in the Lord. His confidence was not in wealth, wisdom, the size or capability of his army or the eloquence of his words – but in God’s omnipotent greatness. Our prayers can easily be filled with the illusions of pride. Here is an example of a good prayer for those who might be inclined to do some praying and thinking. It is the prayer of Jabez: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (I Chr. 4:10 NIV)  Most of us pray asking for favors and divine intervention. A good time to pray is when we feel on top of the world and believe that our human capabilities got us there.

“Royal Wedding” by Emilio Chaviano

“Royal Wedding”

By

Emilio Chaviano

April 29m 2011

 

 

Thanks Willian and Kate! The world watched as they entered Westminster Abbey for their Royal Wedding. I was moved by the relative simplicity of the ceremony. The minister first addressed them as “this man and this woman” just as we address every other common person who stands before the altar. This is meaningful because it means that in the eyes of God we all are equal regardless of family lines or titles of nobility. Some may have missed the fact that the service began with everyone singing the hymn that Harry Emerson Fosdick authored in 1930. All the words and all the verses as pertinent to our present time, but let me cite two lines. “Cure thy children’s warring madness, bend our pride to thy control, shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; let the search for thy salvation be our glory ever more. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore.” When was the last time you heard these words are a wedding?  We did today. Thanks be to God!

Dear Killian Pines UMC friends, [Emilio Chaviano]

 

Dear Killian Pines UMC friends,

 

Today is a very special day for Christians of all traditions around the world. It is Holy Thursday. On a night like tonight Jesus met his disciples in The Upper Room and celebrated his last meal with them. What happened then can make a difference in our lives today. At 7:30 pm our congregation  will gather again to remember and celebrate that night. I hope we can set aside some of our other concerns and spend some time of Communion with our Lord. Pray before you come and ask God to open you hearts and minds to the blessings that come from this experience.

 

Peace and Grace,

 

Pastor Emilio

“Making a Difference” By Emilio Chaviano

“Making a Difference”

By

Emilio Chaviano

 

This week Christians and Jews will participate in services and ceremonies celebrating their respective traditions. Christians find their spiritual roots in the history ofIsrael. I have no idea how many people the world over will participate in these services which to them have so much meaning and value. The founders of these two world religions recognized the value of ritual, but they emphasized the importance of action. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. Those of you who read these words have been blessed in so many ways. Try counting them! Take a break from counting your blessings and think about ways you can make a positive difference in someone’s life. Let’s us take our religion to a new level this week and take at least one action that will result in our world being a little better. It does not have to be the answer to the global problems of hunger, war and poverty. There is someone you know by name who needs your help. If at all possible, do it before you go to services and tell no one. By the time you get to services you’ll have the greatest blessing and only you will know.  Service makes a difference!