Thoughts and Reflections
By the Rev. Miguel Bustos
Name the biggest overall lesson you’ve learned throughout the festival.
The biggest takeaway from the festival was the clarity in which to be a follower of Jesus, I must be a seeker of justice. We cannot be Christians in name only. We must seek justice for others and creation and hold ourselves in love. Jesus sought truth and justice through love, which we know to be true. And to be Christlike (Christian), we must do the same. The “It’s All About Love Festival” truly made that very clear to us all.
What do you love about your ministry?
I love my ministry within The Episcopal Church. In our work in racial justice and reconciliation, at our core, we are asking people to fall in love with one another. God made us all so diverse and so beautiful. And loving one another is not that hard or complicated. We all offer our gifts to the world. And as people of faith and love for God, all we have to do is open our hearts and minds.
Life becomes so much better and more loving. I love God’s people, and I love this ministry.
What is your personal or professional motto?
My motto is taken from the prophet Micah: “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).
What does the world need less of? More of?
We need more love! It does not matter how much prestige, wealth, power, or things one collects here on Earth. None of that will matter in the end. What matters is how you loved. How we loved will be the lasting legacy we leave and the first question we will need to answer when we meet our maker. Be and offer more love in this world!
Where did you feel God in this festival?
I saw God’s presence in the attendees who came to be in community and to learn from one another. I heard God sing through the preachers and speakers. And I felt God in a people gathering in his name during meals, workshops, and worship. As the old Gospel hymn says, “The presence of the Lord is here, I feel it in the atmosphere, The presence of the Lord is here.”
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The Rev. Miguel Bustos is the manager for racial reconciliation and justice.
