A very public introduction to Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN

Hey baby, or should I say hey sweet young lady?

 Time does fly by as you are to enter High School. Fourteen years... darn it. According to the Library reading guidelines you are mature enough to handle the material I'm about to put in your hands. I don't know, perhaps kids are more open to the world these days, but I found it really funny, as I read this Graphic Novel for the very first time in my twenties and it managed to screw my mind... but a promise is a promise.

I remember you as a four year old skulking into my library, that sacred little space comprised of two giant bookshelves and trying to reach with chubby little fingers an arrangement of books that looked colorful, inviting and fun, all of which were strictly forbidden. It frustrated you heavily, and though I tried to distract you with Wolves in the Walls and the outrageous idea of trading your Daddy for two Goldfish (quite a good bargain, I might add) I promised you then, that in time, my books would be yours.

I've seen you grow since then and although when you were smaller, you rabid attempts at recitations of The Raven and The Tyger made me chuckle and joke that you were made after my own image, I knew that in fact you'll grow up to be a completely different being. You have the drive of someone who wants to drink  life in cup fulls, the mindset of a conqueror and the build of an athlete. Most people would be scared of these departures in character, I'm not. It is my faith that I'm granted a gift, the opportunity to see you reach places I never dreamed of.

But let's go back to the things we have in common: we both despise the mundane, the black and white outlook on life dictated by people who are too afraid to take a chance. We both like the idea of a world beyond our own where we can hide once in a while. Though I meditate in dreams and you seem to want to tear at the fabric of it all just to find what makes them tick, we both believe in that kind of magic.

With no further a do I give you a book that I knew will be yours since the day you were born. It is well preserved and taken care of and even though I had the chance to buy it brand new, I rather give you this one. It has character, little battle scars, it's been places you haven't been yet, touched by other people. It has left  a palpable imprint is those who read it, and now it is yours.

Its is a story, not of a man, but of a being that is older than gods, from whose hands drip the sands that forge the dreams of mankind. You will not meet him at the top of his game though, in fact he is beaten, reduced to nothing, a prisoner fueled by revenge. But don't worry, as in any good story, nothing ever stays unmoving. Eventually you'll catch with what is going on... You know most men and women in comic books go from being regular Joes to having god like superpowers. This one works backwards and that makes it unique, is a hard, long journey towards being human.

I'll leave you now, to the dreams of gods and men and the stuff that lives on the edge of nightmares

Love, L.

The little Theology Corner Presents: let's play it one more time

Holy Week/ Passover is almost upon us and it is time for that yearly rant, reflection I love to share with those willing to read. I usually jot down notes on the Jewish roots of Christianity as this is the best of time to understand and debunk the idea of Substitution Theology that has given a sort of carte blanc to many Christian branches to practice a very subtle and sometimes dangerous, albeit subconscious type of anti-semitism. However there are things that pertain to the Church that are pressing and at hand.

2012, You might ask? I care nothing for the date. God help me I'll be in Ireland, downing a pint with as many crazy peeps as I convince to go to the Emerald Isle. But I do see people talking about war and rumors of war and second comings. All of that is important to me, otherwise I wouldn't call myself a Christian. However, it is important to me, the conscientious traveler, not to loose the flight over a little mishap.

If you haven't noticed this little note is not meant for my fellow Christians, not for those who know not God. It is a heap load  for those who live in the fringes of Christianity, calling themselves sons and daughters of God while walking farther and farther away with each deed and thought. Those who have grown way too comfy in their padded chair, praising with air conditioning, to the point of becoming complaisant, of taking for granted what was done for us and worse; having the audacity of denying it to others.

I heard someone say once that being a Christian is like playing Simon Says. You don't get to make up the rules, just wait for the commands. It is true, but let's not forget that of all commands there is one that trumps, one so definite that embodies the whole concept of our faith. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13: 34-35)

We are lacking, we are failing miserably, each time we judge, each time we separate ourselves and look down on the so called "sinners" like we are high and mighty. Each time  we point our finger and say " I know with fervent proof that God will smite You." We have the audacity to climb to the cross, tear Christ's bloody hands from the beams and cross them upon His chest.

Just who do you think you are? I have no problem reminding you. You were a slave, an imperfect broken vessel and someone took pity on you, brought you home, cleaned your wounds and cut that iron cuff in your ankle that marked you as less than human. Too much was done for you and you look into your Master's eye and tell Him, "I'll never be able to repay you." Guess what if you can't pay it back, then pay it forward.

I know how to play my game, go ahead and try to hit me with your best shot. Simon says I gotta love you. I will, and the best thing is that if I learn to love the right way, not only will I nurture you, I'll grow too.

This post is dedicated to the West borough Baptist Church, the Koran burners, those who believe the gay have no hope in Christ , the Shepherds of America that dare say God abhors this country, the prejudiced, the modern Pharisees and money exchangers that are staining the image of our faith. Your time is running up, start playing the game right or face the consequences of loosing...

I used to have fit of ire over you, but now I just pray, until my tongue is sweetened and I'm able to say with all my heart, I love you, have a Happy Easter.