Barrio Prophets (d)

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT!!!
TOPIC - "The Heart of a Barrio Prophet"
EVENT - CUMBRE de ALABANZA
TIME - Friday at 7pm
LOCATION - Community Baptist Church (map)
1120 McDonnell Ave. East Los Angeles, CA 90022

READ: Barrio Prophets intro + (a), (b), and (c).



This mural sits on the corner of a major East LA intersection - Avenida de Cesar Chavez & Soto Blvd. (map), walking distance from our home. The title of the mural is "No Greater Love" or "The Greatest Love," and has been there since 1992 by Paul Botello (a CSULA graduate) on the wall of Ramirez Pharmacy.

After the LA riots in May 1992, the city commissioned muralists in several communities to do several mural projects aimed at curbing the sense of urban disenfranchisement that had been revealed by the riots.

This mural was done in that same season, but was a gift from the Ramirez family. The LAmurals.org website describes the mural as "..attempting to connect spirituality with a society in need of peace." This section of the mural depicts a bearded face gazing at a wounded heart that is surrounded by thorns. Somehow from the wounded heart, there is a seed sprouting a new plant that is surrounded & protected by a bursting flame.

I believe this is the heart of a barrio prophet that Jeremiah speaks from in chapter 12, the theme passage for tomorrow's event. Wounded. Pricked and Prodded. Bearing new life through a flame of passion before God. Jeremiah says to God:

"You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?...

You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you...

How long...?"

God's response to Jeremiah is worth the price of admission. Hope to see you there.

READ: Recounting how it went.