We are by no means extinct, but we can be somewhat scattered. Faithful Christian living has become, well, complicated. There are the lives that we have to live with all the demands, distractions, and traps. There is brokenness, misdirection, and distrust. There are also high expectations and new pursues. All things that insist on separating us from one another and from God.
However, I am convinced that faith has gone nowhere. See, the God I believe, preach, and find in scripture has chosen to be with us in this world and wishes for us to live in wholesome fellowship with one another and with the totality of creation. This God also promised to stay in faithful relationships with every single one of us through this persistent faith. My Christian tradition proclaims that any action that reflects the best of humankind can only be done by the power of God’s Spirit that dwells with and in us. Therefore, for as long as human beings are capable of graceful acts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and love, regardless of one’s baggage, then the power of the Holy Spirit remains upon and inside us.
This space aims to speak and to give voice, to those who live their lives in the relentless gap that exist between us and the joy of a loving and graceful God. If you need a break or something to hold on to. If you wish for safety, hope, inspiration, or encouragement. If you long for a dreamt beloved community that is rooted, centered, and empowered by the good news of Jesus Christ. Then I invite you and pray that you find a place here.
If you share what this blog hopes to be and would like to contribute to this ministry, please contact me.
Blessings,
Pastor Mauricio
Biography
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and became an American Citizen after living sixteen years in the U.S. I am a former life scientist with a Ph.D. in Cell Biology by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. I considered myself “born” to the gospel at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Urbana, IL while working at the University of Illinois as Post Graduate Research Assistant. I obtained my Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Disclaimer
The Reverend Mauricio Vieira is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. However, the views of this blog may, or may not, reflect the official positions of such church.
Bridging Faith 