Spring 1999 - Quarterly Review

like to give attention to the luminarias which have lighted my path; (1)the value of the discounted; (2) the rejection of the tyranny oftechnology; (3) the acceptance of destiny; and (4) the ecstasy ofaesthetics.1. The value of the discounted. At a meeting of Hispanic leaders inCalifornia I suggested that our closing prayer be done as a procession.The younger Hispanics thought the idea was much too old-fashioned.But their elders reminded them that pilgrimages, home altars, etc.,were precisely what had kept the faith alive when clergy were scarceand liturgists nonexistent. Why not allow the domestic church,including youth and children, the theologically unsophisticated, totake leadership by celebrating these symbols of the faith? VirgilElizondo and others see the Hispanic community in the U.S. associologically singular because they are twice discounted. Thedominant society in this country relegates them to the margins, andthose South of the border also consider them culturally impure.Elizondo points out that Jesus himself was twice rejected—the Jewishcommunity of Jerusalem thought him a Galilean peasant, but theconquering Romans found him threatening. Like the U.S. Hispanics,Jesus was rejected by his own and by the conquoring powers. Out ofthis both Protestant and Catholic Hispanic theology have developed atheological theme of double rejection leading to divine election. Inmore humble terms, we can use an image from the marketplace. Likea good shopper, God sees the value of the discounted.2. The rejection of the tyranny of technology. I accept the tyranny ofthe clock (even the demands of electronic mail), and I am frustratedwhen a wedding or other ceremony is delayed. But more than onecursillista or carismatico has asked me, "What is more important forworship—that the community is ready or that the clock is?" I realizethat respect for another person's time is important. But are there notmoments when a pastor can conform to the timeline of thecommunity, especially a community which may have to work longhours and deal with lengthy commutes and crumbling mass transit?Moreover, time is a theological concept. As Christians we believe welive in a time continuum which leads to eternity. It may be less thanChristian always to think that something precious is lost or robbed bytardiness. Where your clock is, there your heart will be also.3) The acceptance of destiny Hispanics are often accused offatalism when they actually believe in destiny. If one valuesharmonious relations with nature over the technological conquest ofSTILL GRINGO AFTER ALL TI1ESE YEARS: THE MINISTER 87