Can't serve both money and God, you will love one and hate the other. -Jesus the Anointed (Christ)
My work has three parts. The first and most rewarding is to spread and practice good news. This part is really simple:
You will be loved unconditionally. You will be fed, clothed, and sheltered. You will live in peace. You will have work that you enjoy. You will grow and learn. You will party. You and your people will thrive. Everyday will be a celebration. You will fear nothing, not even death.
How do I know this is true? Because I live it daily.
Of course, none of this is possible as long as money is a priority. The love of money corrupts the very best of us. Yes, money is a tool but it is a tool that demands you worship it; that you conform your life to having it. And why not? With money we buy the necessities and luxuries of life. Money seems to give life.
The second part of my work is to tear down the idol of money. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this as well. I was made for it. Like a lion stalking its prey, I'm here to devour this illusion. Money will never set you free.
See even if you manage to grab a hold of the American Dream, you'll be prospering while your neighbors suffer. If you want to walk the path of liberation and healing, if you want a limitless life, if you want a true revolution, then this is an open invitation to join.
Now here's the twist, I do not want your money. I am not asking you to join a religion. I am not fund-raising for a non-profit. This is a spiritual movement, and as such it needs to make sense to you.
The point is I want you to spread your gifts and resources around your community, if you aren't already. Find groups, projects, people who are doing things you want to support. Does a friend have a business idea? Help them launch it. Is someone sick and can't afford their bills? Help them pay it. Is someone having a hard time finding a job? Check your networks and see if you can make a connection. Is someone sad or lonely? Plan a party and invite them to join you. These are some of the most radical things you can do.
This is important because the structures that worship money have been crushing people under them for centuries. Don't believe me? Then listen to the evening news or read the paper. How much of what you find there is good?
Right now there is a party going on, but it's an underground party. The third part of my work is to help you find the door. If you haven't found it already, all you need to do is ask and I'll come show you.
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Return to the Beginning
Since I started this blog, nearly 3 years ago, I haven't voted for, believed in, nor put much energy into anything that came out of the US federal government. (I do support, listen to and challenge, when necessary, local and state governments.) I refuse to participate in something that is so profoundly broken. I didn't trust the whole '08 election frenzy of change and promise, sounded too much like false prophecy to me.
This entry isn't to pat myself on the back now that the economy is faltering and times are scary uncertain. I have no interest in saying I told you so. My desire is to state that I've found, and am still discovering, what I was looking for all those years ago.
I've learned what true allies and friends look like.
In short, know your community: when the recession deepens, when the depression gets at you, when you are wholly disillusioned, when your plans fail, when there seem to be no viable choices, when there are no options, when there is no way out, put away your pride and your quest for independance. Find the true community. True friends will give you work that satisfies, food that is filling and love that will quench your thirst.
Now you don't have to wait until rock bottom, although many will hold onto this dying system for as long as possible. Which is too bad, because the communities I'm describing are living now, partying now and are creating heaven on Earth for everyone they encounter. They are all around us; in every city and town and rural area.
There is no healing to be found anywhere else in this world or the next. My prayer is that you seek them out sooner rather than later and find the kind of freedom and liberation that is your birthright.
This entry isn't to pat myself on the back now that the economy is faltering and times are scary uncertain. I have no interest in saying I told you so. My desire is to state that I've found, and am still discovering, what I was looking for all those years ago.
I've learned what true allies and friends look like.
In short, know your community: when the recession deepens, when the depression gets at you, when you are wholly disillusioned, when your plans fail, when there seem to be no viable choices, when there are no options, when there is no way out, put away your pride and your quest for independance. Find the true community. True friends will give you work that satisfies, food that is filling and love that will quench your thirst.
Now you don't have to wait until rock bottom, although many will hold onto this dying system for as long as possible. Which is too bad, because the communities I'm describing are living now, partying now and are creating heaven on Earth for everyone they encounter. They are all around us; in every city and town and rural area.
There is no healing to be found anywhere else in this world or the next. My prayer is that you seek them out sooner rather than later and find the kind of freedom and liberation that is your birthright.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Staying Out of Ditches
Thankfully, as one friend recently noticed, I'm not dead in a ditch. =)
About 5 weeks ago, I left this house (I'll be in Akron, PA and NYC and Goshen, IN over the next few days; the joys of holiday!) to walk. While that's not a full explanation, at the time it was enough, and it was all I had to tell. Walking allowed me to slow down, get away from technology and simply listen, in other words a spiritual journey. Ultimately, the goal was to meet people along the way, to share and connect with them; walking was also the vehicle that started conversation, the icebreaker.
Out of this beginning, a question: What is the purpose of this walk?
I arrived in Philadelphia almost four weeks ago. There as everywhere is a suffering city, but in the midst of it people live in hope. Here is a small map of the places I encountered hope.
In North Philly, on Norris Street, is New Jerusalem Now a very literal place of recovery and rebirth.
To the east in Kensington is The Simple Way house, where they practice being good neighbors and advocates for change.
Nearby, on Lehigh Ave is a Catholic Worker house that runs a free clinic for the community.
In Center City, I visited Broadstreet Ministries that daily welcomes and feeds anyone who walks through their doors.
Farther south, on the corner of Broad and Alter Street, is one of many places that Circle of Hope worships and builds community.
Over the Schuylkill, in University City, is a Vineyard Community Church congregation that welcomes and reaches out to college students and neighbors.
Just a few blocks west, on Baltimore and 48th, is where West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship worships and works for peace.
Far from a complete list, in the end these are just places; what matters are the relationships started here. I could also mention all the chance encounters on the street, the small group and cell meetings and the meals shared, which all occurred outside of these spaces.
And then over the past two weeks I've been pondering this question: What was the purpose of making these connections and acquaintances? I know I am called to return to Philadelphia, but meeting people and making connections is no longer enough. It's like a treasure hunt. I'm not given all the pieces. I have to go searching for them.
The miracle is that a picture is forming, as I walk, a vision is revealed. The writing is on the wall. But it's in a language in which I'm not yet fluent. Yet, I'm not the only one who feels it. Coincidences happen daily: Strangers tell the same anecdotes my friends spoke about days ago, newspapers print stories on the conversations we had in living rooms, institutions implement plans I had secretly dreamed of while walking. What exactly is happening? Is this 6 degrees of separation in action? Am I seeking out people and groups who are unknowingly connected to each other? How sensitive are we to the trends around us? Do we really share the same ideas? The idea of justice in an world that acts unjustly. Or peace in a world that lashes out with violence. Is this Christ and God, hidden, but ever present in our lives?
How many times these past few months did you feel that something odd, something new is happening? From the highs of President-Elect Obama's acceptance speech in Grant Park to the lows of a system so clearly broken that even the comfortable, the intellectual, the rich are unsure of the future. Do you see the same signs of hope I see? Is this mess of a "filthy, rotten system" just chaos or is it also the labor pains of a new birth?
I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Many blessings this holiday season.
In Peace, Hope, Faith and most of all Love,
Curtis Villanueva Jantzi
About 5 weeks ago, I left this house (I'll be in Akron, PA and NYC and Goshen, IN over the next few days; the joys of holiday!) to walk. While that's not a full explanation, at the time it was enough, and it was all I had to tell. Walking allowed me to slow down, get away from technology and simply listen, in other words a spiritual journey. Ultimately, the goal was to meet people along the way, to share and connect with them; walking was also the vehicle that started conversation, the icebreaker.
Out of this beginning, a question: What is the purpose of this walk?
I arrived in Philadelphia almost four weeks ago. There as everywhere is a suffering city, but in the midst of it people live in hope. Here is a small map of the places I encountered hope.
In North Philly, on Norris Street, is New Jerusalem Now a very literal place of recovery and rebirth.
To the east in Kensington is The Simple Way house, where they practice being good neighbors and advocates for change.
Nearby, on Lehigh Ave is a Catholic Worker house that runs a free clinic for the community.
In Center City, I visited Broadstreet Ministries that daily welcomes and feeds anyone who walks through their doors.
Farther south, on the corner of Broad and Alter Street, is one of many places that Circle of Hope worships and builds community.
Over the Schuylkill, in University City, is a Vineyard Community Church congregation that welcomes and reaches out to college students and neighbors.
Just a few blocks west, on Baltimore and 48th, is where West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship worships and works for peace.
Far from a complete list, in the end these are just places; what matters are the relationships started here. I could also mention all the chance encounters on the street, the small group and cell meetings and the meals shared, which all occurred outside of these spaces.
And then over the past two weeks I've been pondering this question: What was the purpose of making these connections and acquaintances? I know I am called to return to Philadelphia, but meeting people and making connections is no longer enough. It's like a treasure hunt. I'm not given all the pieces. I have to go searching for them.
The miracle is that a picture is forming, as I walk, a vision is revealed. The writing is on the wall. But it's in a language in which I'm not yet fluent. Yet, I'm not the only one who feels it. Coincidences happen daily: Strangers tell the same anecdotes my friends spoke about days ago, newspapers print stories on the conversations we had in living rooms, institutions implement plans I had secretly dreamed of while walking. What exactly is happening? Is this 6 degrees of separation in action? Am I seeking out people and groups who are unknowingly connected to each other? How sensitive are we to the trends around us? Do we really share the same ideas? The idea of justice in an world that acts unjustly. Or peace in a world that lashes out with violence. Is this Christ and God, hidden, but ever present in our lives?
How many times these past few months did you feel that something odd, something new is happening? From the highs of President-Elect Obama's acceptance speech in Grant Park to the lows of a system so clearly broken that even the comfortable, the intellectual, the rich are unsure of the future. Do you see the same signs of hope I see? Is this mess of a "filthy, rotten system" just chaos or is it also the labor pains of a new birth?
I look forward to seeing you all again soon. Many blessings this holiday season.
In Peace, Hope, Faith and most of all Love,
Curtis Villanueva Jantzi
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Walking Shoes
On November 4th 2008, millions celebrated the election of Senator Barack Obama to the office of President of the United States of America. As I watched the crowd in Grant Park and felt the irrepressible hope at a chance for change, I realized that no group nor person has a monopoly on hope. Even though I did not vote, I fully agree that the election of Sen. Obama is a move in the right direction as a nation.
Nevertheless, I am not the first to recognize that he will be unable to fix the social ills we suffer from: sexism, racism, homophobia and poverty. Nor is it his job as President, to fix these problems. True change doesn't come from the top, but from the bottom. As anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” It is my view that the Church, those of us who call ourselves believers in Christ, must be on the front lines of social change.
I believe the US church has forgotten our role to be different, radically different, from the world we live in; we are to be set apart by our love and compassion. A love so powerful we cannot abide to see the hungry, and homeless on our streets, nor a woman being abused by her partner, nor the rich family suffering because they are isolated in their wealth.
For that reason, I have decided to walk from now until our hearts have changed to reflect the love we believe is real. It will be a purposeful walk, in the hope of building a community on and along the way. I'm very hopeful that some of you will join me if not physically then in prayer and spirit. Ultimately, this is not something I can, nor want to do on my own. I will be looking for others who want to see the same change and we will walk together, even if only for a short time.
Tomorrow I'll be heading down to Lancaster, PA and spending a couple of nights there before making my way towards Philadelphia. I'm extremely excited about the journey and I'm looking forward to sharing the stories of my travels with all of you. It is a goal of mine to keep you all updated whenever I have access to a computer.
Joyfully,
Curtis Villanueva Jantzi
Nevertheless, I am not the first to recognize that he will be unable to fix the social ills we suffer from: sexism, racism, homophobia and poverty. Nor is it his job as President, to fix these problems. True change doesn't come from the top, but from the bottom. As anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” It is my view that the Church, those of us who call ourselves believers in Christ, must be on the front lines of social change.
I believe the US church has forgotten our role to be different, radically different, from the world we live in; we are to be set apart by our love and compassion. A love so powerful we cannot abide to see the hungry, and homeless on our streets, nor a woman being abused by her partner, nor the rich family suffering because they are isolated in their wealth.
For that reason, I have decided to walk from now until our hearts have changed to reflect the love we believe is real. It will be a purposeful walk, in the hope of building a community on and along the way. I'm very hopeful that some of you will join me if not physically then in prayer and spirit. Ultimately, this is not something I can, nor want to do on my own. I will be looking for others who want to see the same change and we will walk together, even if only for a short time.
Tomorrow I'll be heading down to Lancaster, PA and spending a couple of nights there before making my way towards Philadelphia. I'm extremely excited about the journey and I'm looking forward to sharing the stories of my travels with all of you. It is a goal of mine to keep you all updated whenever I have access to a computer.
Joyfully,
Curtis Villanueva Jantzi
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Why I choose not to vote
I've spoken with a few of you about my choice not to vote. Hopefully this will clarify why it's important I don't vote. And what I choose to do instead, which I believe will be infinitely more useful.
For starters, I want to live in a society that says, there is enough for all of us. I am looking for a community that says the hording of wealth is not the way to peace. The way of the sword and the dollar has failed us again and again. Yet all I hear the presidential candidates refer to is, "the American Dream," "I believe in the free market system," or "Protect America's interests." My heart breaks for the profound violence inherent in those phrases. I cannot support a leader who accepts the American way of life as default and good.
I won't vote for either candidate because my faith lies with another kingdom. My politics are intertwined with my faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I don't want to muddle my beliefs with the messianic promises of change that permeate this election. I already have a savior and I doubt he ever wore a suit, although I can't be positive. I've never seen a photo of him.
I'm not apathetic towards the dilemmas of living in this world. But our current problems are the same old crises, in fact it seems that we are living in a cyclical world: the more things change the more they stay the same. It's a scary country to live in when so many of us are hurting and there are so few places to turn. We aren't facing a new vague threat, just a rehashing of the same tired plots.
What is it that makes this election so much more momentous than any previous one? Why the anxiety and anger and fear now? An honest answer to these questions is perhaps the most depressing thing I can imagine. Has the US always been in a war of some kind? Have there always been elderly amongst us who cannot afford to retire? Have there always been homeless on our streets? Does the Hippocratic oath still apply to someone who can't afford to pay the hospital bill? Have the poor always been with us?
The fact is that I'm as complicit as anyone in living a comfortable life at the expense of my neighbor. (I'm not saying the reader is complicit, that's for you to decide, trust me I'm a terrible judge. I know many of you have hearts of gold and serve tirelessly. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone other than myself and the system, which we have let convince us is good.)
This is my cry to our community and to the church. I'm asking to be held accountable to this decision that by not voting I'm taking on a much bigger responsibility: to do whatever small thing I can to love my neighbor, to love as I have loved myself. I have been unfaithful for far to long. I just can't convince myself that voting will absolve me of my responsibilities as a lover of God. The idol of independence has lost it's appeal. My vote doesn't matter if I'm not willing to stand up next to my neighbor, who is suffering, and share their burden and neither does my faith for that matter. I want to seek a new way of living. Nothing I've tried so far has worked.
I just can't believe that any political candidate offers anything fundamentally different from the past 200 years of US policy. But I do believe in the small way, the way of humility and self-sacrificial love and service. I reject the promise of power and change that our right to vote is supposed to symbolize. I believe there is a better system, a better way to live, which is founded on interdependence. I want to participate in a society where 'mine' becomes 'ours,' unfortunately that's not what America means, yet. The vote on November 4th is no paradigm shift, it is no peaceful revolution. But we have been promised a better world. I know I won't vote for the old world when I know there is a new one being born right here, right now.
If anyone reading this has any suggestions about faithful communities that are trying to live a new way, or if you are active in life affirming work, please let me know I'm always looking for new rays of hope.
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." --Mother Teresa
I was greatly inspired by The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborn, it's an exciting read. I have to thank Shane for sharing his thoughts on community, God and love. Also here are a couple of links that helped me compose this note, maybe they can make clear anything I stumbled over. (I recommend exploring these sites. They contain a wealth of, what I'd call, prophetic vision):
http://www.thesimpleway.org/shane/sampler.pdf
(The Irresistible Revolution, Chapter 5)
http://www.cpt.org/resources/writings/sider
http://www.cpt.org/about/gitw
http://www.catholicworker.org/dorothyday/
And just for fun:
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2947
For starters, I want to live in a society that says, there is enough for all of us. I am looking for a community that says the hording of wealth is not the way to peace. The way of the sword and the dollar has failed us again and again. Yet all I hear the presidential candidates refer to is, "the American Dream," "I believe in the free market system," or "Protect America's interests." My heart breaks for the profound violence inherent in those phrases. I cannot support a leader who accepts the American way of life as default and good.
I won't vote for either candidate because my faith lies with another kingdom. My politics are intertwined with my faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I don't want to muddle my beliefs with the messianic promises of change that permeate this election. I already have a savior and I doubt he ever wore a suit, although I can't be positive. I've never seen a photo of him.
I'm not apathetic towards the dilemmas of living in this world. But our current problems are the same old crises, in fact it seems that we are living in a cyclical world: the more things change the more they stay the same. It's a scary country to live in when so many of us are hurting and there are so few places to turn. We aren't facing a new vague threat, just a rehashing of the same tired plots.
What is it that makes this election so much more momentous than any previous one? Why the anxiety and anger and fear now? An honest answer to these questions is perhaps the most depressing thing I can imagine. Has the US always been in a war of some kind? Have there always been elderly amongst us who cannot afford to retire? Have there always been homeless on our streets? Does the Hippocratic oath still apply to someone who can't afford to pay the hospital bill? Have the poor always been with us?
The fact is that I'm as complicit as anyone in living a comfortable life at the expense of my neighbor. (I'm not saying the reader is complicit, that's for you to decide, trust me I'm a terrible judge. I know many of you have hearts of gold and serve tirelessly. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone other than myself and the system, which we have let convince us is good.)
This is my cry to our community and to the church. I'm asking to be held accountable to this decision that by not voting I'm taking on a much bigger responsibility: to do whatever small thing I can to love my neighbor, to love as I have loved myself. I have been unfaithful for far to long. I just can't convince myself that voting will absolve me of my responsibilities as a lover of God. The idol of independence has lost it's appeal. My vote doesn't matter if I'm not willing to stand up next to my neighbor, who is suffering, and share their burden and neither does my faith for that matter. I want to seek a new way of living. Nothing I've tried so far has worked.
I just can't believe that any political candidate offers anything fundamentally different from the past 200 years of US policy. But I do believe in the small way, the way of humility and self-sacrificial love and service. I reject the promise of power and change that our right to vote is supposed to symbolize. I believe there is a better system, a better way to live, which is founded on interdependence. I want to participate in a society where 'mine' becomes 'ours,' unfortunately that's not what America means, yet. The vote on November 4th is no paradigm shift, it is no peaceful revolution. But we have been promised a better world. I know I won't vote for the old world when I know there is a new one being born right here, right now.
If anyone reading this has any suggestions about faithful communities that are trying to live a new way, or if you are active in life affirming work, please let me know I'm always looking for new rays of hope.
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." --Mother Teresa
I was greatly inspired by The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborn, it's an exciting read. I have to thank Shane for sharing his thoughts on community, God and love. Also here are a couple of links that helped me compose this note, maybe they can make clear anything I stumbled over. (I recommend exploring these sites. They contain a wealth of, what I'd call, prophetic vision):
http://www.thesimpleway.or
(The Irresistible Revolution, Chapter 5)
http://www.cpt.org/resourc
http://www.cpt.org/about/g
http://www.catholicworker.
And just for fun:
http://www.sinfest.net/arc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)