Sermon Title: “A Heavenly Fiesta”
Rev. Carlos Uroza
Revelation 7:9-10 (CEB)
Every time we gather for Holy Communion, there’s a line in our liturgy that never fails to ignite my imagination:
"By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet."
This statement is both an invitation and a vision. It’s an invitation to unity—to become one with Christ and one with each other—and to participate in God’s work in the world. But it’s also a glimpse into our future, when we will feast together at the heavenly banquet. I often imagine that heavenly “fiesta” as the most joyful celebration, where people from every nation, tribe, and language come together to celebrate in the presence of God.
Today is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the profound contributions of the Hispanic community to society and culture. This celebration holds a special place in my heart, not just because of my own heritage, but because it’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the beauty of diversity. As we open this series titled “One Family, Many Cultures,” we do so with an awareness that God’s kingdom is beautifully diverse, and that diversity is something to be celebrated, not just tolerated.
Think for a moment about the best celebration you’ve ever been a part of—a wedding, a birthday party, or even a community potluck. What made it memorable? Was it the joy of being surrounded by people you love? The incredible variety of food? The feeling of being connected, celebrating life together? Now imagine that, but on an unimaginable scale—a “fiesta” where the food is perfect, the joy is uncontainable, and the people are from every corner of the earth, gathered to worship God.
This is the scene described in Revelation 7:9-10:
What strikes me most about this vision is that John saw a multitude of people from every nation, tribe, and language—but they didn’t lose their cultural makeup in the presence of God. Their languages, traditions, and identities were not erased; they were retained. Each person brought the richness of their culture into worship before the throne. This vision shows us that in God's kingdom, diversity is not something to overcome but something to celebrate. The multitude is united in worship. A celebration vibrant and beautiful.
This is what God’s kingdom looks like—a family made up of every culture and language, with all our differences enhancing the joy of worship.
As we celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, I am reminded of my own journey as a Hispanic migrant. Growing up in Mexico, I was surrounded by people who shared the same language, cultural traditions, and values. In that setting, I didn't fully grasp the extent of the diversity even within my own race and culture. It wasn’t until I moved to the United States and began working in ministry that I truly saw the richness of diversity within the Hispanic community itself.
There is a common tendency to think of "Hispanic" as one unified culture, but in reality, it is a collection of many cultures. When I first started working with different Latino groups, I realized how beautifully diverse our community is. People from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba, Guatemala, and many other Latin American countries all bring their own languages, dialects, customs, and expressions of faith. For example, even though we may all speak Spanish, the way we celebrate traditions, approach family, and express our worship can vary greatly from one country to another.
This diversity within the Hispanic community has deeply enriched the way I see people. It has taught me that even within my own race, there are layers of complexity and beauty that reflect God’s creativity. I have come to see that God created us not as a homogenous group, but as a vibrant mosaic, each piece contributing to a fuller picture of God’s character. The way people from different Latino cultures live out their faith—whether through the music we sing, the food we share, or the traditions we pass down—gives me a broader understanding of how diverse and vast God’s love is.
In my experience as a pastor, I have learned that this diversity is a gift. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and to see the unique contributions that each culture brings to the body of Christ.
When I became the pastor of two congregations—one English-speaking and one Hispanic—my first goal was to bring them together. But becoming one church was easier said than done. I quickly learned that it wasn’t just about bringing people into the same space, but about learning to celebrate the differences we brought to the table. One way we started this was by holding joint worship services on the first Sunday of the month for Communion Sunday, followed by a potluck. It’s amazing how the simple act of sharing a meal, worshiping together, breaks down barriers. Those Sundays can be somehow chaotic, but in a beautiful way. They are not always smooth, and we still have work to do, but that monthly gathering became a glimpse of what God desires for His church—a family united in Christ, celebrating our diversity together.
And… Potlucks—those beautiful meals where everyone brings a dish that represents something from their culture or family tradition. Growing up, I looked forward to potluck Sunday. The food was absolutely incredible, but what I remember most was the fellowship and the time where we actually got to know each other. There’s something profoundly spiritual that happens when we share a meal. We sit down, not as strangers, but as family, and we partake of each other’s stories through the food and the culture that we bring.
It is at the table that the barriers that divide us come down. The table is a place of equality, where everyone has a seat, and everyone is welcomed.
The potluck is a glimpse—a small taste—of the heavenly banquet. Imagine that potluck on a grand scale, where we sit down not just with our loved ones, but with people from every nation, tribe, and language. That’s the heavenly banquet that God is preparing for us. What we experience here, is just a small glimpse the incredible feast that awaits us in God’s kingdom, but we have to strive for.
We live in a world that constantly tries to make us afraid of those who are different from us. The evils of the world want to sow division, to make us believe that the other—whether they are from a different race, culture, or background—is a threat. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a different way of living. I challenge you, during this season of division and fear, to do something countercultural: make a serious effort to get to know the stranger.
Instead of fearing the other, let us take the step to embrace them. I challenge you to sit down and have a meal with someone from a different heritage. Learn their story. Listen to their experiences. Share in their joys and struggles. In doing so, you will begin to see that the things that unite us are far greater than the things that divide us. You will experience the richness of God’s creation in the diversity of the people around you.
As we begin this series, “One Family, Many Cultures,” let’s embrace the diversity that God has given us, knowing that it is a reflection of God’s kingdom. Amen.
Comments