Fútbol, Food, Film

1pm - played fútbol at Jonathan Rogers, with my fútbol friends.

4pm - went for dinner at my favourite restaurant in Vancouver: Al Watan. Jen, Ceci, and Alfonso came along. For a change, we ordered the lentils as the vegetable dish, and I'm glad we did. They're not as spicy as the rest of the dishes, so it was much to my liking. From now on, lentils will be the veggie order of choice for me.

6:30pm - went to a movie, Extraordinary Measures, with Jen and Ceci.

Games Night

Tonight we had our first Games Night. Four of us - Vero, Benja, Sanjit, and I - are the first official attendants and members of this very elite group who going forward, will meet every Wednesday night to perfect the craft of playing Ticket to Ride (and perhaps once our addiction to this great game dies down, other games too).

Tonight we played 2 games, and it was a case of Jeckyl and Hyde for me: the first game I came in last place, dead last, nowhere near the frontrunner (and the rest of them), Vero. The second game, on the other hand, I made up for it and won.

Next recruits: Jen and Juan B.
Next meeting: Wednesday February 3.
Next place: Vero's.

Veal A La Parmegiana, Anger, And Shame

Today we celebrated mom's birthday at the Spaghetti Factory in Abbotsford. As usual to my visits to this restaurant, I had Veal a la Parmegiana. I never tire of it.

Afterwards, I went to mom and dad's for the afternoon and early evening. We had a good conversation, although I can no longer hide the fact that I bear some anger and resentment towards mom. I don't yet fully understand why this is the case.

I also feel increasingly ashamed around my parents. I just don't match up to their expectations: single at 40, vocation-less, owning nothing of significance (ie - apartment, house, property, business), and generally speaking, having accomplished very little in life. Yet, somehow, God is in this, I just don't know how. God has placed me where I am, which means, in some way, this must be what's best for me. My place in this picture is to be faithful, wherever I'm at.

When I told my parents that I feel ashamed around them, my father's response - God bless him! - was the only right response: "Ed, shame is of the devil. You have no reason to be ashamed around us."

I am so very thankful for my earthly parents.

Evensong, Oisi For Dinner

After work, Jen and Sanjit joined me at Evensong. Tonight's the last night I'll be able to enjoy their company on a Tuesday night, as going forward, I'll be teaching the catechism class at church on Tuesdays.

I'm excited to teach the course, but I'm sad that Jennifer's not in the class. I'd hoped that by now - 1.5 years after we began going out - she'd be at least somewhat interested in matters of faith, but alas, I'm wrong. Maybe this is what the gospel of John means when it states that "the Spirit of God blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes." (John 3:7). I believe this refers to the mystery, the paradox, of election: God elects those he saves, and yet, in a mysterious way, we are each responsible for how we respond to God's command to love Him and our neighbour (Matthew 22:34-40).

After Evensong the three of us went to Oisi, a southern-food (Louisianna) restaurant on Granville.

T-Shirts, Fútbol, & Ticket To Ride

A busy day today!

10am - breakfast with Jennifer. Well, we were supposed to have breakfast at one of Jen's favourite joints in North Vancouver, but the place was closed - of all days, and of all reasons - because of flooding: I guess a pipe burst overnight...

10:30 - our purpose for going to North Van to begin with, was to get some t-shirts printed for our dear friends, Ruben and Tati, in Cuernavaca. We got two t's: a blue one, for Tati, and a red one for Ruben.

12pm - we managed to find another place to go for breakfast afterall. Forgot the name of it...

1:30 - we picked up Vero, and then went straight to the cancha de fútbol near my place where we met up with the rest of the soccerinos to play.

4pm - to Santa Barbara's, and then to Donald's Market, for some grocery shopping

6pm - dinner and TTR (Ticket to Ride) at Jen's.

Paella @ Juan's

Tonight Juan invited us for dinner for paella. Vero, Benja, Karma, Jen, and I went.

I tend not to order paella when I go out to eat, because my last experience with paella - from a Latin restaurant on Commercial Drive - was not a good one. But tonight's dinner was excellent. Since I'm not a huge fan of seafood, I found tonight's "measured" quantity of seafood much to my liking.

After dinner we sat around and discussed, of all things, environmental concerns. Our group of friends is very good at "enjoying the moment", we always make the best of the here and now: laughter, great food, poking fun at one another, or musing the latest hot topics. But we lack in depth: depth of thought, and certainly in depth of conversation about meaningful things. So tonight was a refreshing change.

Weddings, Friendship, and Dreams That Come True

I titled this post as above, in honour of Ceci and Angus, who recently got engaged, and whose friendship I value greatly.

To my immense surprise I received an invitation from them today, to be involved in a meaningful way at their wedding. My role may be something as simple as doing one of the Scripture readings, or as involved as either paraphrasing the Priest's sermon, or giving a short homily myself - in Spanish.

What an immense privilege. I do not want to let them down.

Lord, thank you for Ceci and Angus. Bless their relationship, their wedding, their marriage, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let it be so. Amen.

The Blind And The Deaf Come Forward

When I was younger - before I was even a teenager - our family occasionally travelled to a remote and isolated part of the country to visit relatives (this was in South America, before we immigrated to Canada). And looking back, what strikes me about these trips is how dangerous they were.

Much of the road was unpaved - just a dirt road. In the summer, the wind would kick up the dry dust and make it impossible to see more than 10 metres ahead, and in the winter, the road got so muddy from the rain that we feared getting stuck in the mud or sliding into oncoming traffic.

And while everyone else was scared during the trip, I remember sitting in the back seat, at peace, watching my father skillfully maneuver our 1974 Volvo through the dust or mud. I sometimes even fell asleep: that’s how safe I felt; that’s how much I trusted my father getting us there. And he always did, he never failed.

Our reading from Isaiah (43:1-13) gives us a similar picture of trustworthiness: the trustworthy character of God, our heavenly Father. In fact, God is trustworthy in a way that no earthly father could be. Therefore, we need not fear what’s before us (43:1, 5), no matter how difficult our situation is (43:2): God loves us (43:4), he has saved us (43:1, 3, 4), and he is with us (43:5). No one can snatch us from his protective hand (43:3, 11, 12). This is the God we are witness to, this is the God we proclaim to the world (43:10, 12).

The text addresses Israel in captivity: oppressed, living under constant fear and doubt. God had handpicked the people of Israel to be his ambassadors to the world - not because they were extraordinarily talented or good, actually the opposite was the case, they were the weakest and most vulnerable nation in the region - but instead of fulfilling this privileged role, they ignored it: they saw and recognized what is right, but refused to act on it, "they heard with their ears, but didn’t really listen” (42:20 paraphrase). God gave them the independence they wanted, and the result was decisive: they were robbed, plundered, and taken away in chains by their neighbours.

In such dire conditions, God speaks great words of comfort, he addresses their fears with some of the kindest words he’s spoken to his children. Two verses in particular stand out, and in both of them God appeals to his trustworthy character: Verse 1, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name...” (43:1). He reminds them that he saved them - he delivered them from slavery at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) - and under his protection they were safe from the burning fire and the consuming flame (14:2).

And then again in verse 4: “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life” (43:4). The God of the Bible has in recent times been portrayed as vindictive and violent, but this caricature does no justice to our reading: notice the tender words God uses here. They are gentle, full of concern, as from a father to a son.

God’s people are precious to him - he “buys” his people back in an exchange with king Cyrus (43:3) - he frees them so that they can return home (43:6-7). This was not a desperate move on the part of someone who’s weak; it was lavish generosity on the part of someone who loves deeply and has the whole world at his disposal.”1 Anyone who is loved this way has nothing to fear.

And we, the church, living after the death and resurrection of Jesus, are witnesses to the greatest purchase of all, when God through Jesus ‘bought back’ all human beings, for his glory: Christ gave his life on the cross “as a ransom for many” (Matthew 10:45); Jesus...gave himself as a ransom for all men” (I. Timothy 2:5-7). We are precious in God’s eyes. The church is God’s treasure.

The chapter concludes with a remarkable court scene: God challenges the gods of the nations to put their record on the line by bringing the nations as witnesses, but neither the gods nor the nations show up (43:9). But the blind, and the deaf, they do show up; the people of God do come forward, out of captivity: they are witnesses to God’s faithfulness (43:8).

And another remarkable thing happens: as the blind and the deaf give testimony, their faith grows exponentially, it strengthens. Their own blindness and their own deafness is swallowed up in new assurance, and they leave the courts with their heads held high (43:10).2

There’s a connection between proclaiming God’s faithfulness, and growing in our faith. Faith is a gift, certainly, but it’s a gift that we nurture by reminding one another and all those around us of the mighty acts of God. The antidote to fear and doubt is faith.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen ✠

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1- Barry G. Webb, The Message of Isaiah: On Eagle’s Wings. The Bible Speaks Today. J. A. Motyer, ed. (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP, 1996), 175.

2- Barry G. Webb, The Message of Isaiah: On Eagle’s Wings. The Bible Speaks Today. J. A. Motyer, ed. (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP, 1996), 176.

Delight In Fatness

One of the most vivid images that I have of being thirsty is from a trip that I made in 1994, through the Mojave and Chihuahua deserts, from Sacramento California through Nevada, northern Arizona, New Mexico, to Dallas Texas.

We were in a car that didn’t have air conditioning, so we had to drive with our windows open, and while it was a consolation to have air circulating in the car, the problem was that the air came in from the outside hot and dry: no amount of water could really quench our thirst, water was always on our minds, our throats were burning for moisture. At rest stops I’d drench my head in cold water, and put a wet towel on my arms and shoulders to cool me off. Thirst was very real to us.

Anyone that has ever visited or lived in a hot place can easily identify with such a thirst. The first few words from Isaiah 55, would’ve made perfect sense to anyone living in 1st century Palestine: “...everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (55:1a). What wasn’t so clear, and what ought to raise our eyebrows, are the words that follow. As in the previous case, God is the speaker:
“and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money...” or work “...for that which does not satisfy?” (55:1b-2a)

God is vividly portrayed as a “merchant in a marketplace where people are selling and buying”1; but what’s striking here is that God is not selling anything, he’s offering a free gift. God is sending out an invitation to all those who are in a spiritual desert, burning to have their spiritual thirst satiated, yearning for something to quench the deepest longings of the soul: forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and acceptance. And to anyone who finds herself in this situation he says “Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live” (55:2b-3a).

I’m not a fan of fat in my meals - this is Vancouver after all, we’re all obsessed with healthy living - but in 1st century Palestine and in many cultures today, the fatty part on a piece of meat is the best part, a treat, because it’s so tasty.2 God here invites us to a rich banquet, a spiritual banquet, where the finest of foods, the finest of spiritual blessings, will be served.

This is not the first time God invited human beings. God has always invited us to his banquet feast, through what the Bible calls covenants, agreements initiated by God, and bringing into relationship God and his people: from Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to David (55:3b-5), and finally, Jesus Christ, in whom all previous covenants culminate.

It was Jesus who said to the woman at the well: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13b-14). Jesus completes and fulfills all previous covenants; in him we have, literally, God with us. In Jesus, God offers himself as gift.

God’s ways are not like our ways; his thoughts are not like ours; the word that goes forth from his mouth does not return empty, but it accomplishes and prospers his purpose (55:8-11). His faithfulness is on display every time we see a rainbow - God’s promise to Noah that he would never again flood the earth with water. And the recreation and restoration of the world that is yet to come will be a glorious tribute to God’s faithfulness: mountains and hills will burst into song, trees will clap their hands, the thorn and brier of human sin will be removed forever, and we shall go out in joy and peace (55:12-13).

But we cannot do justice to this chapter by focusing exclusively on God’s invitation, we must also give due attention to the verses of admonition. God’s spiritual banquet might be likened to the parable of the wedding banquet that Jesus warns about: the host of the wedding has prepared a massive feast, but all those who were invited reject the invitation. The host then goes to the streets and invites anyone who is eager to attend. Once the seats are filled, the wedding gets underway. All in attendance enjoy a fabulous meal, while those on the outside weep and long for food (Matthew 22:1-14).

In the same way, God offers a banquet spread, but guests must come. “No one need be an outsider, but neither will anyone be forced to enter, and the invitation to do so will not be extended indefinitely.”3 May we not be found ungrateful for the invitation that we have received. Pardon is available, but we must forsake our wicked ways and seek the Lord while he may still be found (55:6-7).

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen ✠

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1- Larry, Walker, Isaiah. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Volume 8. Philip W. Comfort, ed. (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2005), 243.

2- Larry, Walker, Isaiah. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Volume 8. Philip W. Comfort, ed. (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2005), 242.

3- Barry G. Webb, The Message of Isaiah: On Eagle’s Wings. The Bible Speaks Today. J. A. Motyer, ed. (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP, 1996), 218.

Jennifer's Back

I only slept 4 hours last night!

After getting in late last night (more like early this morning), Sanjit and I got up at 10 am, to go to the airport and pick up Jennifer.

She was very surprised to see me there, since we'd agreed that we wouldn't speak to each other until after the end of January. This, to give each other some breathing space and ponder our futures. Well, I broke my end of the deal, even though I was the one that had pushed for this arrangement.

Anyways, it's done, I saw her arrive at the airport. Together the three of us took the Canada Line back to her place where we dropped Jen off at her place. Afterwards, Sanjit and I went back home and .. slept some more!

In the evening, actually, more like, late afternoon, a few of our friends came over for another two rounds of Ticket to Ride. I'm definitely hooked on this game...

NYE @ Vero's

Contrary to my original plans, I did not have a NYE party this year. As happened a few years ago, a feeling of general apathy came upon me, and I just couldn't muster up enough energy to organize a party. Perhaps the fact that I had a big party at my place just over a month ago played a role too.

So it was to my great and pleasant surprise, that Vero came up to me a few days ago and offered to have a party at her place. Maybe she noticed that I wasn't as enthusiastic in my talk about NYE this time around.

The party at her place was perfect, in that it had a bit of everything: it started quiet, and progressively got louder. We had food (empanadas!) and conversaton the early part of the evening, and as the night wore on, things got louder, more festive. Fiveteen minutes before midnight we filled up our wine glasses, and began counting down to midnight.

Midnight came and went - with lots of hugs and kisses all around - and shortly afterwards we put on some loud music - pop, latin, techno, whatever - and danced until well past 1 in the morning.

And then came the best part of the evening: Ticket to Ride! We played not 1, not 2, but 3 games, until after 5am! Now that's a kickin' NYE party!

Sanjit stayed the night at my place afterwards. We got home shortly before 6am.

Below are some pictures, taken by Vero: