Friday, July 31, 2015

“The bread of life” / “El pan de vida”

A reflection and confession based on John 6:24-35

Hawaiian bread offered for communion at a retreat. / Pan hawayano ofrecido para la comunión en un retiro. 

by Magdalena I. García

African cassava bread and injera
American cornbread and quick bread
Colombian pandebono and buñuelos[i]
Cuban bread and panecitos de arroz[ii]
Dominican Republic pan de avena and pan de coco[iii]
Ecuadorian guaguas de pan[iv] and rodillas de Cristo[v]
English muffins and scones
French baguette and brioche
German pretzel and pumpernickel bread
Greek pita and sesame bread rings
Indian naan and chapati
Italian ciabatta and focaccia
Irish brown bread and soda bread
Jewish matzo and challah
Mexican corn tortillas and pan dulce[vi]
Puerto Rican pan de agua and pan de mallorca[vii]
Venezuelan arepas[viii] and pan de jamón[ix]

I have tasted these breads,
noticing how often our identity
is shaped by recipes.

I have craved these breads,
acknowledging how often our minds
are focused on the stomach.

I have savored these breads,
realizing how often our hunger
is distracted by the material.

I have eaten these breads,
observing how often our faith
is anchored on symbols.

I have shared these breads,
marveling at how often our well-being
is nourished in community.

I have offered these breads,
remembering how often our beliefs
are kneaded around the table.

Forgive us, Sustaining God, for seeking
satisfaction amidst the perishable;
nourishment amidst the inorganic;
assurance amidst the provisional.

Send your manna, call us to the feast,
and remind us one more time
that you are the food we long to eat.
You are the bread of life.

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“El pan de vida”

Una reflexión y confesión basada en Juan 6:24-35

por Magdalena I. García

Pan de yuca e injera africanos
Pan de maíz y pan rápido americanos
Pandebono y buñuelos colombianos
Pan de barra y panecitos de arroz cubanos
Pan de avena y pan de coco dominicanos
Guaguas de pan y rodillas de Cristo ecuatorianos
Muffins y scones ingleses
Baguette y brioche franceses
Pretzel y pan pumpernickel alemanes
Pan de pita y roscas con sésamo griegos
Panes planos naan y chapati hindúes
Panes ciabatta y focaccia italianos
Pan moreno y de soda irlandeses
Pan matzá y jalá judíos
Tortillas de maíz y pan dulce mexicanos
Pan de agua y de mallorca puertorriqueños
Arepas y pan de jamón venezolanos

He probado estos panes,
y noto que a menudo nuestra identidad,
se moldea con las recetas.

He apetecido estos panes,
y reconozco que a menudo nuestra mente
se enfoca en el estómago.

He saboreado estos panes,
y admito que a menudo nuestra hambre
se distrae con lo material.

He comido estos panes,
y observo que a menudo nuestra fe
se ancla en los símbolos.

He compartido estos panes,
y me maravillo que a menudo nuestro bienestar
se nutre con la comunión.

He ofrecido estos panes,
y recuerdo que a menudo nuestras creencias
se amasan alrededor de la mesa.

Perdónanos, Dios Sustentador, por procurar
satisfacción entre lo perecedero;
nutrición entre lo inorgánico;
seguridad entre lo provisional.

Envía tu maná, llámanos a la fiesta,
y recuérdanos una vez más
que tú eres del hambre la respuesta.
Tú eres el pan de vida.

© Magdalena I. García



[i] Cheese bread and cheese fritters.
[ii] Rice rolls.
[iii] Oatmeal bread and coconut bread.
[iv] Sweet bread figures, shaped like babies or dolls, made for All Saints’ Day.
[v] Literally “Christ’s knees,” rolls topped with cheese that resemble a knee roughened from kneeling.
[vi] Sweet rolls in different shapes, often sprinkled with colored sugar.
[vii] Water bread and sweet rolls.
[viii] Griddle-fried corn cakes.
[ix] Ham and olive roll made especially at Christmas.

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