I was so blessed to visit this wonderful multicultural community of believers who know how to celebrate life in the great city of Riverside California. Noted for having Christian roots that are symbolized though out the city by the "Raincross Symbol"
About the Raincross Symbol
The unique City Raincross Symbol is derived from combining a replica of the mass bell used by Father Junipero Serra, missionary priest and founder of the California Missions, and the cross to which the Navajo and Central American Indians prayed for rain. Called the "Raincross" symbol, it was designed for the Mission Inn and given to the city by Frank Miller. The Raincross symbol has been identified with Riverside since 1907. Variations of the symbol are used extensively throughout Riverside in architecture, street signs and lighting standards, and is used on the City flag.
The Lord Jesus shows forth the footprints of His Love in History as His church listens to His voice to bring forth blessing in our communites. This same Love He gives His people is the same Holy Spirit empowering people to build even cities that are marked with the symbol of a bell that rang to bring people to the Lord's table. I believe the real presence of Jesus body, blood ,soul and divinity is the foundation of all communities which the mass bell called the people of Riverside to the table to receive Him.
During the Sunday afternoon following the mass I was blessed to be apart of the people who were celebrating the Churches history in the community. I ran into an artist name's Pietro who painted this painting of Jesus with His hand outstretched to all peoples of many colors. The artist is a man who moved his family here to the United States recently from Mexico. He told me that the painting wasn't for sale because the Lord Jesus gave him the vision to paint this which gave he and his family their vision for coming to this country. I believe the Lord is sending many of His own to our country to remind us of the brotherly Love needed in the Church today. May we again build cities that have symbols calling us to the Lords table instead of billboards calling us into the spirit of materialism and greed that is polluting the United States with darkness of this age. Lord lead us to pray for Your heart over the communities you have graced our journey with on earth.
