Ruminations
Some of my homilies, sermons, and thoughts about Christianity, faith and justice, hip hop, and sometimes comic books!
Diverse Call of God: God's Calling Leads us to rest
Elijah is having his A Tribe Called Quest “stressed out” moment. Not one of ATCQ’s most known songs but one of my favorites and the chorus or hook to that song goes "I really know what it means to be stressed out, face to face with your adversity." I think it is important to note that it is oftentimes it is during our heights, not our lows, that fear may strike.
Latine. Who is Latine? What does it mean to be Latine? And even AfroLatine?
What we have to do is challenge ideas of erasure and racism. We need to remind everyone that every single person is made in the Image of God. We need to be more inclusive when we talk about Latines and try to emphasize the diverse experiences that the Latine community contains. We can begin by challenging the popular imagery of Latinidad that excludes Black and Indigenous representation
AfroColombian, AfroLatino Thoughts on Juneteenth
Juneteenth is important for all people of African descent because in a world that continues to deny Blackness and problematize and otherize Black bodies, it is a reminder that there are people who believe in freedom and equality for all.
Representando donde quiera: The Afro-Latin@ lived experience
For us to fully recognize, affirm, and value Afro-Latinidad as an identity, as a lived experience, and as an expression of the fullness of Latinidad, we also have to challenge our racialized theologies and challenge the use of antiquated language, theories and terminologies that all have one purpose, black erasure
“Kindom Stories: Kindom Vision, Action and Provision” A sermon on Matthew 14:13-21
That is the kindom metro, it is not subscribing to a specific creed only, it is seeing this unity amongst all of us. When we can see people beyond what our human eyes can see, and see the imago Dei, image of God within them and see them as we see ourselves, we are able to help the kindom be on earth as it is in heaven.
Assuaging Witnesses
From the New Testament’s perspective, at least, the church should expect to deliver testimony in dismal circumstances. United to an incarnate and suffering God
Pa’ Los Que Bacilan: Exploring Social and Political Messages in Afro-Colombian Popular Music
Throughout the history of music in Colombia, there have been many expressions of identity made through popular music genres. Some of these popular music genres, specifically vallenato, salsa and hip-hop, have provided a medium through which Afro-Colombian artists have disseminated powerful social and cultural messages.
Going Through Tough Times
Throughout this life, our life, our walk upon this earth, we go through moments of difficulty. Moments of pain. Places of pain remind us of what we go through.
After Christmas
it is the time after Christmas, after the Savior arrives, that will define us and define our adherence to the creeds of Christianity. The gift that we received from God at Christmas needs to be greatly displayed in how we live after Christmas.