Saturday, April 1
A DEVOTED LIFE
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8
I
have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.
2
Timothy 4:7
As
we began to prepare this trimester of the devotional Su Voz we were startled by the news that Pastor Carlos Piedra had
entered an intensive care unit. It is both right and necessary that we begin
our devotional time praying for this servant of God who has produced so much
fruit for the Cuban Church and for ecumenism. I met Pastor Piedra some years ago,
at a presbytery meeting. I was struck by his thin and agile figure which could
not sit still, his hands always in the air as his wise words tried to clarify
with force some complicated matter of the organization and mission of the
Church. Although he seemed agitated, all his words were irrefutable and from
time to time a joke would escape from his lips which formed half a smile. Thus,
it was with somewhat sweet but timely and prophetic words. Then I realized that
the Sunday School lessons that we received in the Church and that we called
“Piedra's Little Pages" were the fruit of his sacrificial labor
and of his profound communion with God through reflection on the Word and a
vital prayer life. Today is an opportune time to be inspired by Carlos Piedra,
a man who has devoted what he is and what he has, to the service of God. Let us
accompany our intercessory prayer with gratitude for having his testimony to
inspire our journey…
In
concluding this reflection, we received the news of Pastor Carlos Piedra’s
death. Let these words be a simple homage to his life.
Prayer: God of history,
we give you thanks for the life and the legacy of this servant of yours, Pastor
Carlos Piedra, now in your presence, and for the fruits you have permitted him
to harvest during his ministry.
Translated
by John Potter
UNA
VIDA ENTREGADA
2
TIMOTEO 4:1-8
He
peleado la buena batalla,
he
acabado la carrera, he guardado la fe
2 Timoteo 4:7
Al comenzar a preparar este trimestre del
devocionario Su Voz, nos sobrecogió la noticia del ingreso del pastor Carlos
Piedra en una sala de terapia intensiva. Es justo y necesario que comencemos
nuestro tiempo devocional orando por este siervo de Dios que tantos frutos ha
cosechado para la iglesia cubana y para el ecumenismo. Conocí al pastor Piedra
hace algunos años en un encuentro presbiteral. Me llamaba la atención su figura
delgada y ágil, que no podía mantenerse quieta. Sus manos siempre en el aire,
reafirmaban sus sabias palabras que intentaban dilucidar con vehemencia asuntos
complicados sobre la organización y la misión de la Iglesia. Parecía molesto,
sin embargo, todo lo que decía era irrefutable y de vez en cuando se le escapa
un chiste en el discurso y una media sonrisa. Así era, de palabra poco melosa,
pero sí oportuna y profética. Luego me di cuenta de que las hojas impresas con
lecciones de Escuela Dominical que recibíamos en la Iglesia a la que llamábamos
“las hojitas de Piedra”, eran fruto de su labor sacrificada y su profunda
comunión con Dios a través de la
reflexión de la Palabra y la vida orante. Hoy es un día oportuno para
dejarnos inspirar por Carlos Piedra, un hombre que ha entregado lo que es y lo
que tiene al servicio de Dios. Acompañemos nuestra oración intercesora, con la
gratitud por contar con su testimonio que inspira nuestro camino… Al concluir
esta reflexión, nos llegó la noticia del fallecimiento del Pastor Carlos
Piedra. Sean estas palabras un sencillo homenaje a su vida.
Oración: Dios de la historia, te damos gracias
por la vida y el legado de este siervo tuyo, el pastor Carlos Piedra, ahora en
tu presencia y por los frutos que le has permitido cosechar durante su
ministerio.
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