Wednesday, May 31, 2017

“Upon all” / “Sobre todos y todas”

A Revised Common Lectionary resource for June 4

Published on 5/30/2017 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices

By Magdalena I. García

Pentecost drawing by the late Don Silva, a dear friend who freely gave his art and talent to the church. / Dibujo de Pentecostés del fallecido Don Silva, un querido amigo que dio libremente su arte y talento a la iglesia. sundaygraphx.blogspot.com.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. – Acts 2:4

Read the full lectionary passages here

God enters the scene
and the Holy Spirit fills the entire house:
power is granted for all,
voice is given to all,
discernment is bestowed upon all.
But those watching from the outside
say that the disciples are drunk with wine.


The church enters the scene
and the human spirit splits the entire house:
power is hoarded by some;
voice is denied to some;
discernment is reserved for some.
But those watching from the sidelines
know that the usurpers are drunk with malice.


Come, Tongue of Fire,
and burn away all arrogance.
Come, Powerful Wind,
and sweep away all prejudice.

Come, Holy Spirit,
and restore the unity of the church.

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“Sobre todos y todas”


Un recurso para la liturgia dominical del 4 de junio

Publicado el 5/30/2017 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: One Church, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García


Todos ellos fueron llenos del Espíritu Santo, y comenzaron a hablar en otras lenguas, según el Espíritu los llevaba a expresarse. – Hechos 2:4

Lea el pasaje aquí: Hechos 2:1-13

Dios entra en escena
y el Espíritu Santo llena toda la casa:
el poder es concedido a todos y todas;
la voz es dada a todos y todas;
el discernimiento es otorgado a todos y todas.
Pero quienes miran desde afuera
dicen que los discípulos están ebrios de vino.


La iglesia entra en escena
y el espíritu humano divide toda la casa:
el poder es acaparado por algunos y algunas;
la voz es negada a algunos y algunas;
el discernimiento es reservado para algunosy algunas.
Pero quienes miran desde los márgenes
saben que los usurpadores están ebrios de maldad.


Ven, Lengua de Fuego,
y quema toda la arrogancia.
Ven, Viento Fuerte,
y barre con todo el prejuicio.

Ven, Santo Espíritu,
y restaura la unidad de la iglesia.

© Magdalena I. García

Saturday, May 27, 2017

“Cloud watching” / “Mirando las nubes”

A Revised Common Lectionary resource for Ascension Sunday

Published on 5/27/2017 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, ManyVoices
Edited for this blog

by Magdalena I. García


Cumulus clouds over the Costco parking lot compete for attention. / Las nubes cúmulos sobre el estacionamiento de Costco compiten por la atención.

While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:10-11

Read the full passage here

Eyes squinted, studying the sky,
hands raised, sheltering the brow,
mouth open, expressing bewilderment,
the disciples stood stunned,
gazing up,
mesmerized by the celestial,
disconnected from the terrestrial.
Until a voice breaks through the fog
and reminds them that their calling
is not to engage in cloud watching.


Eyes squinted, studying the sky,
hands raised, sheltering the brow,
mouth open, expressing bewilderment,
we often stand stunned,
gazing up,
mesmerized by the celestial,
disconnected from the terrestrial.
Until a voice breaks through the fog
and reminds us that our calling
is not to engage in cloud watching.


Forgive us, Descended Jesus,
for living our life and our faith
captivated by an upward vision,
disinterested in a downward engagement.
Forgive us, Incarnate Christ,
for living our life and our faith
consumed by the journey to heaven,
indifferent to the pilgrimage on earth.


Allow us, Manifested Deity,
to hear your voice in Scripture and in our hearts
breaking through the dense fog
of our egocentric and apathetic lives,
and remind us that our calling,
based on your humble life and devoted example,
is to look downward and sideways
and to engage in people watching,
offering friendship and care to all humanity.


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“Mirando las nubes”

Un recurso para la liturgia del Domingo de la Ascención

Publicado el 5/27/2017 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: OneChurch, Many Voices
Editado para este blog

por Magdalena I. García


Mientras miraban al cielo y veían cómo él se alejaba, dos varones vestidos de blanco se pusieron junto a ellos y les dijeron: ‘Varones galileos, ¿por qué están mirando al cielo? Este mismo Jesús, que ustedes han visto irse al cielo, vendrá de la misma manera que lo vieron desaparecer’. – Hechos 1:10-11

Lea el pasaje aquí: Hechos 1:1-11

Ojos entrecerrados, estudiando el cielo,
manos levantadas, protegiendo la frente,
boca abierta, expresando desconcierto,
los discípulos estaban pasmados,
mirando hacia arriba,
fascinados por lo celestial,
desconectados de lo terrenal.
Hasta que una voz traspasa la bruma
y les recuerda que su llamado
no consiste en pasarse mirando las nubes.


Ojos entrecerrados, estudiando el cielo,
manos levantadas, protegiendo la frente,
boca abierta, expresando desconcierto,
nosotros a menudo estamos pasmados,
mirando hacia arriba,
fascinados por lo celestial,
desconectados de lo terrenal.
Hasta que una voz traspasa la bruma
y nos recuerda que nuestro llamado
no consiste en pasarnos mirando las nubes.


Perdónanos, Jesús Descendido,
por vivir nuestra vida y nuestra fe
cautivados por una visión ascendente,
desinteresados en un compromiso descendente.
Perdónanos, Cristo Encarnado,
por vivir nuestra vida y nuestra fe
consumidos por el viaje al cielo,
indiferentes al peregrinaje en la tierra.


Permítenos, Deidad Manifestada,
oír tu voz en las Escrituras y nuestros corazones
traspasando la densa bruma
de nuestras vidas egocéntricas y apáticas,
y recuérdanos que nuestro llamado,
basado en tu humilde y devoto ejemplo,
consiste en mirar hacia abajo y hacia los lados
y en dedicarnos a mirar a la gente,
ofreciendo amistad y cuidado a toda humanidad.


© Magdalena I. García




Wednesday, May 10, 2017

“A communal dwelling” / “Una morada comunal”

A Revised Common Lectionary resource for May 14

Published on 5/9/2017 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices

by Magdalena I. García

The house cat takes a nap at the senior living community Sunrise of Lincoln Park, in Chicago. / El gato de la casa echa una siesta en la comunidad para ancianos Sunrise of Lincoln Park, en Chicago.

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? – John 14:2

Read the full lectionary passages here

We are not promised a mansion
in the sense of a stately residence,
where faithfulness is rewarded with luxury.
We are not offered a building
in the sense of multiple apartments,
where tolerance is rewarded with coexistence.
Rather, we are assured a communal dwelling
in the sense of a refreshing respite,
where travelers are rewarded with welcome.

Guiding God,
thank you for going ahead of the caravan
and anticipating our needs for the journey.
Providing God,
thank you for supplying your abiding presence
and modeling hospitality along the journey.

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“Una morada comunal”


Un recurso para la liturgia dominical del 14 de mayo

Publicado el 5/9/2017 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: One Church, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García


 En la casa de mi Padre hay muchos aposentos. Si así no fuera, ya les hubiera dicho. Así que voy a preparar lugar para ustedes. – Juan 14:2

Lea el pasaje aquí: John 14:1-14

No se nos ha prometido una mansión
en el sentido de una residencia señorial,
donde la fidelidad se recompensa con el lujo.
No se nos ha ofrecido un edificio
en el sentido de múltiples apartamentos,
donde la tolerancia se recompensa con la convivencia.
Por el contrario, se nos asegura una morada comunal
en el sentido de un descanso refrescante,
donde el viaje se recompensa con la bienvenida.

Dios Orientador,
gracias por adelantarte a la caravana
y anticipar nuestras necesidades para el camino.
Dios Proveedor,
gracias por suplirnos tu presencia constante
y modelarnos la hospitalidad a lo largo del camino.

© Magdalena I. García

Saturday, May 6, 2017

“Big Shoes to Fill”

Remembering Wilson A. García Arango

A reflection presented at his memorial service, on April 29, 2017, at North Shore Spanish Baptist Church, in Chicago, based on Psalm 42 and Matthew 11:25-30
.

by Magdalena I. García

Wilson A. García Arango
3/14/1962 - 3/25/3017
Photo courtesy of Carlos A. García Arango

Good Friday Festivities
On Good Friday, I went to my mom’s house for dinner, to mark what would have been my father’s 86th birthday. That evening, the Univision network aired a special program titled “Viernes Santo, Viernes de Esperanza” (“Holy Friday, Hopeful Friday”), covering the major religious events live from four cities: Jerusalem, Vatican City, Mexico, and Spain.

There were many glorious moments during the rites and liturgies, but I was especially touched by Seville’s procession with the Virgin of Macarena, who is commonly considered the patroness of Spanish bullfighters and gypsies. Contrary to what we might think, the image of the virgin does not process on a float, she’s not on wheels, but rather on a platform that rests on the backs of faithful members of the Brotherhood of La Macarena.

During the TV special they interviewed a young man who is a native of Seville, a member of the Brotherhood, and a reporter, and he spoke with great pride about the privilege and the pain of carrying La Macarena on his back. He described how the carriers trained for weeks, in order to build up strength and endurance, to walk for hours, hunched over, carrying the weight of the image of the virgin on their necks and upper backs. And he talked about how despite the burden, he used the time to reflect and to meditate, so that the experience offered him renewed energy and inspiration.

Wilson’s Burden
Today we are gathered here to remember and to celebrate the life of a young man—Wilson García—a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, who for five long years carried a tremendously heavy burden. At the  age of 50 Wilson was diagnosed with cancer, and from that point on he carried the weight of an illness that robbed him not only of his physical health, but also of relationships, employment, assets, independence.

I remember speaking with Wilson over the years, and hearing him describe all that he had lost, all that he had given up, and how the words of Psalm 42 rang true in his life:
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me continually,
“Where is your God?”

And I remember simply listening to him, acknowledging his multiple losses, validating his pain, and assuring him that illness is not a punishment. As the prominent author Rabbi Harold Kushner affirms in his classic book on the problem of evil: “bad things indeed happen to good people,” and we have to look no further than the book of Job.

Wilson’s Strength
But I also remember how time after time, despite the burden and the pain caused by the illness, the losses, and the treatments, Wilson bounced back, and recovered his strength, his joy, and his peace. And I know that he was able to endure so much because he knew that he was not carrying his burden and his pain alone. He was sustained by his great faith in God, the faith that he learned from his family, and that was nurtured by multiple faith communities, and he was sustained by God’s Word.

Wilson wholeheartedly embraced the invitation extended by Jesus that we find in today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 11:
“Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Like the young man in the procession of La Macarena, Wilson carried his burden with great dignity and faith, and the experience also offered him renewed energy and inspiration.

Wilson’s Pillars
But if truth be told, Wilson was not only supported by his faith. Like the Macarena, over the past five years Wilson travelled on the shoulders of a loving community of support. And the principal carriers or “cargadores” were his mother, his brother Carlos, and his sister Gloria. And the three of them were, in turn, supported by an extensive and expansive community of relatives and friends.

Wilson was able to carry his burden with great dignity and faith because he was well supported by the pillars of faith and family. Without those two supports, without those two pillars, we would have succumbed to hopelessness.

Wilson’s Legacy
There is a song, a cheerful cumbia, by the great Colombian composer Crescencio Salcedo Monroy, which many of us know by heart. It is titled “El año viejo”, and it says (more or less):

“I don’t forget the old year,
because it has left me many good things.
Oh, I don’t forget the old year,
because it has left me many good things:
like a goat, a black donkey, a white mare,
and a nice mother-in-law.”

“Yo no olvido al año viejo,
porque me ha dejado cosas muy buenas.
Ay, yo no olvido al año viejo,
porque me ha dejado cosas muy buenas.
Me dejó una chiva, una burra negra,
 una yegua blanca y una buena suegra”.

Likewise, we will never forget Wilson, because he has left us many good things. He was a graphic artist who left behind boxes of art supplies. He was a sharp dresser who left behind nice outfits, hats, and shoes. I inherited from Wilson a pair of shoes which I was tempted to wear today, but I know the Garcia Arango family are accomplished fashionistas, and even Wilson would not approve of me wearing avocado-green, suede gym shoes for his memorial service.

But as I reflected on Wilson’s legacy, I realized that the most important thing he left us was his example. Even as Wilson was nearing death, his room at the hospital was filled with visitors, cards, plants and empanadas, but beyond that, it was filled with his warm smile, his contagious joy, and his peaceful spirit. The nurses at the hospital all wanted to care for him. Wilson indeed left a large foot print, big shoes to fill.

May God grant us—all of us—the grace, to face life’s trials and to carry life’s burdens, with similar strength, joy and peace. May God grant us—all of us—the willingness, to be carriers or “cargadores” for those around us who are facing trials and burdens, knowing all too well that some day we will also need carriers or “cargadores” ourselves. May we also process through life being faithful witnesses to God’s constant love and care.

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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

“Abundant life” / “Vida abundante”

A Revised Common Lectionary resource for May 7

Published on 5/2/2017 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices


by Magdalena I. García

A sculpture of an endless or eternal knot, which symbolizes connection and wisdom, on display at the Mosaic of Lakeshore, a nursing facility in Chicago. / Una escultura de un nudo infinito o eterno, que simboliza la conexión y la sabiduría, expuesto en el Mosaic de Lakeshore, un asilo de Chicago.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10

Read the full lectionary passages here

We have been offered abundant life
but we settle instead for
gourmet food and pleasant sensations,
designer clothing and cosmetic surgery,
exotic vacations and luxurious housing,
reward power and accumulated wealth,
sheltered lives and incessant praise.

And in order to achieve
all these things we often
consume more and enjoy less,
owe more and save less,
travel more and engage less,
work more and sleep less,
fear more and risk less.

All the while failing to realize
that in trying to escalate
to the top of the world,
or to distance ourselves
from the struggles of the world,
we allow the thieves who traffic in lies
to rob us of the opportunity
to feel really alive
by loving our neighbors
and sharing their lot.

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“Vida abundante”


Un recurso para la liturgia dominical del 7 de mayo
Publicado el 5/2/2017 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: One Church, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García


El ladrón no viene sino para hurtar, matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tengan vida, y para que la tengan en abundancia. – Juan 10:10

Lea el pasaje aquí: John 10:1-10

Se nos ha ofrecido vida abundante
pero en cambio nos conformamos con
comida gourmet y sensaciones placenteras,
ropa de marca y cirugía cosmética,
vacaciones exóticas y vivienda lujosa,
poder de recompensa y acumulación de riqueza,
vidas resguardadas y elogios incesantes.

Y para poder alcanzar
todas estas cosas a menudo
consumimos más y disfrutamos menos,
debemos más y ahorramos menos,
viajamos más y compartimos menos,
trabajamos más y dormimos menos,
tememos más y arriesgamos menos.

Entretanto fallamos en reconocer
que al tratar de escalar
hasta la cima del mundo,
o de distanciarnos
de las luchas del mundo,
permitimos que los ladrones que trafican mentiras
nos roben la oportunidad
de sentirnos verdaderamente vivos y vivas
al amar a nuestros vecinos y vecinas
y compartir su suerte.

© Magdalena I. García