“Fuel for the Fire”

A Christmas Eve meditation based on Isaiah 9:5.



By Magdalena I. García

Want to start a fire?
Better get some fuel.
Here is what the experts say…

One
Find some pine cones.
Cover with wax.

Two
Place charcoal in egg cartons.
Close the egg carton.

Three
Take cotton balls.
Rub them with Vaseline.
Store them in a plastic bag.

Four
Collect lint from your dryer’s filter.
Roll up or break into balls.

Five
Cut milk cartons into strips.
Cover with wax.

Six
Soak charcoal in lighter fluid.
Coat with wax.

And so on…
But I prefer Isaiah’s recipe:
Gather every warrior’s boot
used in battle.
Collect every garment rolled in blood.
Burn as fuel for the fire.

Come, Prince of Peace,
and start the fire.
Come, Prince of Peace,
and burn away from our hearts
the desire to make war.

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“Combustible para el Fuego”

Una meditación de Nochebuena basada en Isaías 9:5.

Por Magdalena I. García

¿Quiere prender un fuego?
Más vale que consiga combustible.
He aquí lo que dicen los expertos…

Uno
Halle piñas de pino.
Cúbralas con cera.

Dos
Ponga carbón en una caja de huevos.
Cierre la caja.

Tres
Tome bolitas de algodón.
Frótelas con Vaselina.
Guárdelas en una bolsa plástica.

Cuatro
Recoja las pelusas del filtro de la secadora.
Enrróllelas o forme bolitas.

Cinco
Corte en tiras un cartón de leche.
Cubra con cera.

Seis
Remoje carbón con combustible para encendedores.
Cubra con cera.

Y así sucesivamente…
Pero yo prefiero la receta de Isaías:
Junte todo calzado que lleva el guerrero
en el tumulto de la batalla.
Reúna todo manto revolcado en sangre.
Quémelos como pasto de fuego.

Ven, Príncipe de Paz,
y prende el fuego.
Ven, Príncipe de Paz,
y consume en nuestros corazones
el deseo de hacer la guerra.

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“And They Shall Live Secure”

An Advent 4 meditation based on Micah 5:4.



By Magdalena I. García

Guard against terrorism.
Secure the borders.
Enforce immigration laws.
These are some of the ways
that the Department of Homeland Security
attempts to secure the nation
from the many threats we face.

And yet it strikes me
that the Messiah’s homeland security policy,
as outlined by the prophet Micah,
is so simple:
“And he shall stand and feed his flock…
And they shall live secure…”

The DHS Manual: Three Steps.
Secure by arming.
Secure by isolating.
Secure by persecuting.

The Messiah Manual: One Step.
Secure by feeding.

Can we review the church’s manual?

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“Y Vivirán Seguros”

Una meditación de Adviento basada en Miqueas 5:4.

Por Magdalena I. García

Protéjete contra el terrorismo.
Asegura las fronteras.
Haz que se cumplan las leyes de inmigración.
Éstas son algunas de las maneras
en las que el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional
intenta proteger al país
de las muchas amenazas que enfrentamos.

Y, sin embargo, me llama la atención
que la política de seguridad nacional del Mesías,
según la describe el profeta Miqueas,
es tan sencilla:
“Y él se levantará y los apacentará…
Y morarán seguros…”

El Manual del DSN: Tres Pasos.
Asegura armando.
Asegura aislando.
Asegura persiguiendo.

El Manual del Mesías: Un Paso.
Asegura alimentando.

¿Podemos revisar el manual de la iglesia?

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"Rejoice"

An Advent 3 reflection on Philippians 4:4-7 born out of repeated encounters with unconscious, veiled, subtle and outright discrimination.



By Magdalena I. García

Rejoice in the Lord always…
Maybe it’s a Pauline slip.
How about renounce instead?
It fits. Two syllables. Starts with the same letter.

Here is something we could be glad about…
Renounce bigotry.
Renounce hypocrisy.
Renounce insensitivity.

again I will say, Rejoice…
Maybe it’s a translation slip.
How about reject instead?
It fits. Two syllables. Starts with the same letter.

Here is something we could take delight in…
Reject isolation.
Reject segregation.
Reject discrimination.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone…
Is it gentleness as in Psalm 137?
Deafening silence.
Eyes wide shut.
Nasty politeness.
Gentle blow.

Or is it gentleness as in Luke 2?
Holy pilgrims.
Heavenly manger.
Humble Savior.
Hospitable kingdom.

the Lord is near…
Near everyone?
Near the stable and the inn?
Near the Wise Magi and the Astute King?
Near the complacent and the discontent?

Omnipresent God,
truly you are near to all.
Your light shines
through the darkness of despair
bringing hope.
Your light shines
through the thickness of apathy
bringing empathy.
This is truly good news!
Now we can rejoice!

Do not worry about anything…
Not the displacement of people?
Not the killing of innocent children?
Not the persecution of harmless refugees?

but in everything by prayer and supplication…
This is humble yet earnest asking.
Fervent, intent, and purposeful asking.
Determined, industrious, and ambitious asking.
Resolute, serious, and firm asking.

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…
Requests? Thanks for asking.
We can surely come up with a list.

Affordable housing.
Basic rights.
Care for God’s creation.
Dignity for all human beings.
Equal protection under the law.
Fair wages.
Funding for education.
Greening of our lives.
Hunger for justice.
Immigration reform.
Job security.
Kaleidoscope church.
Learning to live with less.
Meaningful employment.
Non-discriminatory practices.
Organic food, faith and life.
Peace on Earth.
Safe working conditions.
Renewable sources of energy.
Solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.
Tolerance for differences.
Universal healthcare.
Value life.
Welcome everyone.
Xenophobia banned.
Yankees go home.
Zero intolerance.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…
God’s peace…
So much more than the absence of conflict or war.

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Guard in Christ.
Not in blatant denial.
Not in financial security.
Not in military might.

Rejoice…

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“O Come, O Come, Emanuel”

Three contemporary stanzas written for a Bible study on traditional hymns, published by The Thoughtful Christian.



By Magdalena I. García

O come dear Refuge of All Humankind,
befriend the homeless, shelter everyone;
our church doors come and swing open wide,
give sanctuary to those left outside.

Refrain: Rejoice, rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Khubiz Arabi,
nurture the hungry with your living feed;
teach us to share our table and bread,
and free us from all greed and waste.

O come, Newborn Threatened and Concealed,
grant visas to the workers in our fields;
may all our laws the lowly protect,
may immigrants be treated with respect.

+ Khubiz Arabi is the Arabic name for Pita bread.

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“Oh ven, oh ven, Emanuel”
Tres estrofas contemporáneas escritas para un estudio bíblico sobre himnos tradicionales, publicado por The Thoughtful Christian.

Por Magdalena I. García

Oh ven, Refugio de la Humanidad,
al vagabundo bríndale amistad;
abre los templos de par en par
y da santuario a quien no tiene hogar.

Estribillo: ¡Alégrate, oh Israel!
Vendrá, ya viene Emanuel.

Oh ven, tú, Tortilla Celestial,
el hambre de este mundo a saciar;
enséñanos a compartir
y líbranos del vano consumir.

Oh ven, tú que Herodes persiguió,
dale papeles al trabajador;
haz que las leyes den protección
al inmigrante de nuestra nación.

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“Responding to Angels”

Reflection written for the Second Sunday of Advent 2 as “something to ponder” following the Scripture readings.



Multicultural angels made for the Second Sunday of Advent to emphasize peace among peoples and nations.

By Magdalena I. García

Luke 1:5-17
Zechariah and Elizabeth
Talk about “at old age, smallpox”!
Dear God, sometimes we wonder if you’ve lost your marbles!
Can’t you see that we’re a little old for Lamaze classes?
We barely have energy to walk,
and now you want us to prepare for childbirth?
How can this be?
But we’ve learned that you never call on the wrong people.
So give us the humility…to accept that you know better
by doing the unthinkable.

Luke 1:26-38
Mary
Talk about an inconvenient truth!
Dear God, sometimes I wonder if you skipped biology class!
Can’t you see that in my town babies are home made?
I barely announced that I was engaged,
and now you say that I’m having a baby shower?
How can this be?
But I’ve learned that you never choose the wrong people.
So give me the patience…to trust your wisdom
by putting aside my pride.

Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph
Talk about being the talk of the town!
Dear God, sometimes I wonder if you’re out of your mind!
Can’t you see that around here people walk with stones in their pockets?
I barely wanted to leave quietly,
and now you say that I have to unpack my bags?
How can this be?
But I’ve learned that you never challenge the wrong people.
So give me the courage…to do your will
by embracing the rejected.

Luke 2:8-15
Shepherds
Talk about adding insult to injury!
Dear God, sometimes we wonder if you’re paying attention!
Can’t you see that we have plenty of sheep to care for?
We barely get any sleep,
and now you want us to take a trip to Bethlehem?
How can this be?
But we’ve learned that you never send the wrong people.
So give us the strength…to follow where you lead
by shifting our priorities.

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“Respuesta a los Ángeles”
Reflexión escrita para el Segundo Domingo de Adviento como “algo en qué pensar” tras la lectura de las Escrituras.

Lucas 1:5-17
Zacarías y Elisabet
Vaya, ¡esto sí que se llama “a la vejez, viruelas”!
Oye, Diosito, ¡a veces me pregunto si estás chiflado!
¿No ves que ya estamos muy viejos para las clases de Lamaze?
Apenas tenemos energía para caminar,
¿y ahora tú quieres que nos preparemos para el parto?
¿Cómo es posible?
Pero hemos aprendido que tú nunca llamas a la gente equivocada.
Así que danos humildad…para aceptar que tú sabes lo que haces
al aceptar lo impensable.

Lucas 1:26-38
María
Vaya, ¡esto sí que se trata de una verdad incómoda!
Oye, Diosito, a veces me pregunto sit e saltaste las clases de biología!
¿No ves que en mi pueblo los bebés se hacen en casa?
Apenas anuncié que estoy comprometida,
¿y ahora tú me dices que me harán una fiesta para embarazadas?
¿Cómo es posible?
Pero he aprendido que tú nunca eliges a la gente equivocada.
Así que dame paciencia…para confiar en tu sabiduría
al hacer a un lado mi orgullo.

Mateo 1:18-25
José
Vaya, esto sí que es ser el hazmerreír de todo el mundo!
Oye, Diosito, ¡a veces me pregunto si estás fuera de tus cabales!
¿No ves que aquí la gente anda con piedras en los bolsillos?
Apenas quería irme calladamente,
y ahora me dices que tengo que desempacar mi valija?
¿Cómo es posible?
Pero he aprendido que tú nunca retas a la gente equivocada.
Así que dame valor…para hacer tu voluntad
al abrazar a los rechazados.

Lucas 2:8-15
Pastores
Vaya, ¡esto sí que es andar “de mal en peor”!
Oye, Diosito, a veces nos preguntamos si estás distraído!
¿No ves que tenemos muchas ovejas que cuidar?
Apenas podemos dormir,
y ahora tú quieres que vayamos a Belén?
¿Cómo es posible?
Pero hemos aprendido que tú nunca envías a la gente equivocada.
Así que danos fortaleza…para seguir adonde tú nos guíes
al cambiar nuestras prioridades.

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“The Story of Two Trees”

A reflection for Advent 1 on Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Luke 21:25-36





By Magdalena I. García

A stump…
cut off, lacking, truncated
apparently dead.

A stump…
a placeholder, a marker, a remnant
apparently discarded.

A stump…
exiled, bereft, deprived
apparently extinguished.

But all is not lost
there are still roots.
from which new life can emerge.

The past that you clearly see
is no longer retrievable,
but the future that you can’t imagine
awaits buried within you.

Can you embrace a tomorrow
rooted in yesterday
but shaped by today?

~ * ~ * ~

A fig tree
budding, sprouting, growing
apparently alive.

A fig tree
a shoot, a stem, a branch
apparently relevant.

A fig tree
flowering, blossoming, flourishing
apparently growing.

Surely all is not lost
there are still buds
from which new life is emerging.

The past that you clearly see
is no longer retrievable,
but the future that you can’t imagine
awaits buried within you.

Can you embrace a tomorrow
sustained by yesterday
but defined by today?

~ * ~ * ~

The challenge is to live Advent,
and everyday of our lives,
as a stump with living roots,
as a branch with thriving buds.

The challenge is to live Advent,
and everyday of our lives,
as a season of deep longing and active waiting.

The challenge is to live Advent,
and everyday of our lives,
praying and working for God’s future,
and knowing all along
that it is indeed drawing near:
emerging from stumps
and bursting through new shoots.

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"Standing on the Line"

A reflection inspired by Galatians 3:23-29



My son standing on the Equator line at Mitad del Mundo, just outside Quito, Ecuador.

By Magdalena I. García

I stand at the Equator line
with one foot in each hemisphere
aware that the world is one
and yet
at the same time
divided by many lines
real and imaginary
that land us on opposite sides.

I stand at the church line
with one foot in each hemisphere
aware that the faith is one
and yet
at the same time
fragmented by many communions
historic and contemporary
that gather us into exclusive circles.

I stand at the identity line
with one foot in each hemisphere
aware that I am one
and yet
at the same time
integrated by many strands
tangible and intangible
that weave me into multiple quilts.

Such is the journey of immigrants who live…
anchored in an ocean with deep traditions,
while navigating streams that flow through new landscapes;
connected to roots that give grounding,
while climbing branches that allow new vistas;
walking trails layered with history,
while stepping on stones that pave a new day.

Perhaps immigrant people
can help the world understand
what it means to be a bridge builder.

Perhaps immigrant members
can help the church understand
what it means to be a new creation.

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