Todo (Everything in espanol)

One of the days in Mexico City we received a lecture on liberation theology from a proffesor at the Lutheran Seminary on the outskirts of Mexico City. Sergio, the professor, was an excellent orator with a passionate, soothing tone. He spoke of the origins of Liberation Theology which made the ideas a lot easier to understand. The theology was born out of poverty. It was born in response to the conditions most of the world lives in. Some that he taught I agreed with, like his explanation of Hermeneutics. This is the discipline of interpreting scripture. The four steps described were: 1) see 2) judge 3) act 4) celebrate. This makes so much more sense than what many of us do which is see, judge, and celebrate. We so often forget about the acting. We see what is true in scripture, we judge that areas in our inner/outer lives need to change, we don’t act, and then we celebrate Jesus on Sunday. Where is our action to alleviate the suffering of the world. How can we see poverty, judge that it is sin, do nothing about it, then celebrate Jesus. Jesus is the one who called us to go to the suffering and give them a drink, food, and clothing. Now I know there are some reading this saying I do go and alleviate the suffering of the poor and oppressed, and don’t get me wrong, I think that is great. But join me in prayer to Jesus asking how much Lord? How much do you want of my life? And when we ask that of the Lord His response will always be, all of you. I don’t know what that looks like for each of us, and for everyone the Lord has a different plan and purpose. But the important part is that we be completely open to whatever the Lord has for us individually. As long as our hearts are completely surrendered to Him, that is exactly where He wants us to be. I know I don’t want to be like the rich young man who came to Jesus and had followed all of the commandments and asked Jesus what should I do Lord to obtain eternal life? Jesus knew this man’s motive, to give and do the least amount possible and still be saved. But this is not what God is after. He is after all of you. And as Jesus replied give all your money away and follow me, the rich young man went away sad for that was the one thing he was unwilling to part with. I am not telling you to go and give all your money away, but if Jesus told you to, would you do it joyfully or would you be sad for deep down you cherish your material security more than Jesus’ security?