Sunday, November 27, 2016

“Stay alert” / “Despiértate”

A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on Matthew 24:36-44

First published on 11/26/16 by
Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices

The sun shines through the fog on a fall morning in Chicago. / El sol brilla a través de la niebla en una mañana otoñal de Chicago.

by Magdalena I. García

Hang on!
some people say
because Jesus will come someday
in the clouds
offering rewards
to the chosen who remain faithful.

Stand up!
other people say
because Jesus comes everyday
in our struggle
for the liberation
of the oppressed and the planet.

Stay alert!
I hear the text say
because Jesus’ teachings are still crucified
and in our eagerness to define
the chosen and the oppressed
we often miss the mark.

%%%

“Despiértate”


Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado
Mateo 24:36-44

Publicado originalmente el 11/26/16 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: One Church, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García


¡Aguanta!
dice alguna gente
porque Jesús vendrá algún día
en las nubes
ofreciendo recompensas
a los escogidos que permanezcan fieles.

¡Levántate!
dice otra gente
porque Jesús viene todos los días
en nuestra lucha
por la liberación
de los oprimidos y el planeta.

¡Despiértate!
yo oigo al texto decir
porque las enseñanzas de Jesús siguen crucificadas
y en nuestro afán por definir
a los escogidos y los oprimidos
a menudo erramos el tiro.

© Magdalena I. García

Thursday, November 24, 2016

“Milk and honey”

A Thanksgiving prayer poem based on Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Organic cocoa beans harvested by my brother-in-law Alejandro Torres in Puyo, Ecuador. Photo courtesy of my sister-in-law Sandry Garrido. / Granos de cacao orgánico cosechado por mi cuñado Alejandro Torres en Puyo, Ecuador. Foto cortesía de mi cuñada Sandry Garrido.

by Magdalena I. García

“The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” – Deuteronomy 26:8-10

milk and honey
richness and delight
abundance and enjoyment
guaranteed sustenance
renewable resources
given freely
meant to be shared
a sign of earth’s goodness
a memorial to our interdependence
a symbol of divine intent
a reminder of our covenant

Creating Breath,
may we on this day remember
that we belong to the land.
Nurturing Bosom,
may we on this day give thanks
sharing the fruits, lending a hand.
Liberating Force,
may we on this day resolve
with the oppressed to firmly stand.

And may milk and honey overflow
once again for everyone
inhabiting God’s earth.

%%%

“Leche y miel”


Un poema oración de Acción de Gracias basado en Deuteronomio 26:1-11

por Magdalena I. García


Entonces el Señor nos sacó de Egipto con mano fuerte y brazo extendido, y con señales y portentos que causaban terror,
y nos trajo a este lugar, y nos dio esta tierra, ¡tierra que fluye leche y miel! Por eso ahora vengo aquí, con los primeros frutos de la tierra que tú, Señor, me diste.” – Deuteronomio 26:8-10


leche y miel
riqueza y placer
abundancia y disfrute
sostenimiento garantizado
recursos renovables
dados libremente
una señal de la bondad de la tierra
un memorial a nuestra interdependencia
un símbolo de la intención divina
un recordatorio de nuestro pacto


Aliento Creador,
que en este día recordemos
que a la tierra pertenecemos.
Regazo Sustentador,
que en este día agradezcamos
compartiendo los frutos, tendiendo la mano.
Fuerza Liberadora,
que en este día resolvamos
deshacer la opresión de todo ser humano.


Y que la leche y la miel se desborden
una vez más para todos, todas y todes
quienes habitan la tierra de Dios.


© Magdalena I. García

Sunday, November 20, 2016

“Standing around”

A post-presidential election sermon for Christ the King Sunday based on Colossians 1:11-20 and Luke 23:33-43, preached at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Chicago, on November 20, 2016.

Window at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, in Chicago. mig

by Magdalena I. García


It’s been almost two weeks since the presidential election, and reactions continue to pour in on a daily basis. There is, of course, a ton of political analysis and election data. There are also plenty of cartoons and memes. And then there are surprising personal and  communal responses.

Here is one reaction from an unlikely place: the fashion world. And I quote from an ABC news report:[i]

One French fashion designer is refusing to design for Melania Trump when she becomes first lady. Sophie Theallet, who has designed for first lady Michelle Obama for the past eight years, said in an open letter Thursday that she cannot work for [Trump's] wife due to what she called “the rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's presidential campaign.”

“As an independent fashion brand, we consider our voice an expression of our artistic and philosophical ideas,” the letter began. “The Sophie Theallet brand stands against all discrimination and prejudice.” Theallet wrote that although she know it
's “not wise to get involved in politics,” her family-owned company is not just about money.“We value our artistic freedom and always humbly seek to contribute to a more humane, conscious and ethical way to create in this world,” she wrote.

The New York-based fashion designer added that as an immigrant to the U.S., “who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect, for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next First Lady.”

“The rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by. I encourage my fellow designers to do the same,” she said. Theallet concluded her note by writing, “Integrity is our only true currency.”


Frankly, I could care less about fashion. But what I find admirable and striking about this statement is the bold and courageous stance of a supposedly secular entity against the manifestation of evil in contemporary society.

A SECOND EXAMPLE of a striking, post-presidential election response comes from “Hamilton.” On Friday night, Mike Pence attended the Broadway musical in New York. After the performance, the actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who played Vice President Aaron Burr, delivered a message to the vice president-elect. Several news outlets published the incident yesterday, along with a two-minute video clip, including The New York Times[ii], National Public Radio (NPR)[iii], and The Hufftington Post.[iv] And here is the message written and delivered by the cast, creators and producers of the boundary-breaking musical:

Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you,
and we truly thank you for joining us here
at “Hamilton: An American Musical,” we really do.
We, sir, we are the diverse America,
who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration
will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents
or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir.
But we truly hope that this show has inspired you
to uphold our American values
and to work on behalf of all of us.
All of us.
Again, we truly thank you for sharing this show,
this wonderful American story told
by a diverse group of men and women,
of different colors, creeds and orientations.


AND WHAT ABOUT US? What is our response to the presidential election season with its multiple verbal attacks and threats? What is our response to the offensive rhetoric employed by the President elect against women, immigrants, Mexicans, Muslims, people with disabilities, and even veterans and military personnel?

Two weeks before the election, The New York Times published an article titled: “The 282 People, Places and Things Donald Trump Has Insulted on Twitter: A Complete List.”[v] You’d think that alone—in addition to all the pending lawsuits[vi]—would have been enough to end his presidential aspirations, or to improve voter turnout.

And yet, according to a recent CNN report,[vii] “Voter turnout this year dipped to nearly its lowest point in two decades. While election officials are still tabulating ballots, the 126 million votes already counted means about 55% of voting age citizens cast ballots this year. That measure of turnout is the lowest in a presidential election since 1996, when 53.5% of voting-age citizens turned out.”

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE to the new wave of hate crimes that this inflammatory rhetoric has unleashed, including hate crimes against places of worship? I have ministry colleagues across the country who have reported increased bullying against Hispanic/Latino children and youth, vandalism of places of worship, and threatening notes against LGBTQI peoples. And major media outlets like NPR[viii] and The New York Times, tell us that “hundreds of incidents of harassment and intimidation have been reported across the country since Election Day.”[ix]

Clearly, rallies and protests are a response. Boycotts and direct engagement are also a response. Lamenting and praying are yet another response. These are all legitimate and necessary responses. Unfortunately, denial and apathy also seem to be a frequent response.

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE AS A CHURCH? I read a wonderful statement issued by the Stated Clerk of our denomination[x] and one written by the President of McCormick Theological Seminary[xi], my alma mater. But on a local level, what is our response as members, as congregations and as a presbytery? Are denial and apathy our response. Is silence—and therefore complicity—our response? You know, sadly, it’s all happened before...

IN OUR GOSPEL READING THIS MORNING, taken from Luke 23, we revisit the scene from the crucifixion of Jesus. It seems strange to have this reading on the Sunday right before Thanksgiving, but there is a reason for that. Today is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, which ends by affirming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Next Sunday we enter Advent, the season that begins the church year, and which anticipates the birth—and the Lordship—of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Christian year is framed by these two markers: we begin and end the year in the same way, proclaiming Jesus Christ as King and Lord of our lives and of the world.

And yet, at the crucifixion, that is not what the crowd was doing or saying. At the crucifixion, not only were most of the disciples missing in action, with the exception of the women, but they were silent. Luke 23:35 paints the scene for us: “And the people stood by, watching...” (NRSV)

And the people stood by, stood around watching... At the feet of the cross, there was silence... deafening silence... agonizing silence... Like the silence we hear loud and clear when the church doesn’t speak up for justice, or doesn’t stand up for justice.

Here are some of my favorite quotes on silence:

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil:
God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

And lest we think that silence is an attempt at neutrality —and perhaps fairness—, let’s allow the voice of another great human being and thinker, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel, remind us that silence is not neutrality:

“We must take sides.
Neutrality helps the oppressor,
never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor,
never the tormented.”

~ Elie Wiesel

Yes, silence is a possible, even tempting response, but it is NOT the Christian response. In fact, silence was not God’s response to evil and death. The end of the Gospel story is not the cross, but Easter morning. The resurrection is God’s eloquent response to the silence of the crucifixion.

And, therefore, we must NOT allow silence to have the last word. Now is the time for Christians and people of all faiths to come together, to speak up, and to act in God’s name against all forms of evil and hatred, guided by the primary teaching of all major religions: the Golden Rule. Do you remember it?

There is a cartoon on the internet that shows a king standing on the balcony of his castle, overlooking his subjects gathered down below. The king raises his hand in the air, in a sign of authority, and says: “Remember the Golden Rule!” One of the subjects below asks: “What’s that?” And another quickly replies: “Whoever has the gold makes the rules!” It’s a great tongue-in-cheek kind of joke, but that is not an accurate response. Here is the Golden Rule:

“In everything do to others
as you would have them do to you;
for this is the law and the prophets.”

 ~ Matthew 7:12

HOW CAN YOU RESPOND AS A CONGREGATION? The good news is that you are already responding, loudly and eloquently, by welcoming new neighbors in your midst. In addition to all the wonderful mission projects that you support, sharing your life, space and resources with the Spirit of Love Community Ministry, led by Rev. Julio Peña, is unique and prophetic. Not many congregations in our city dare offer this kind of response or welcome. You should let your community know what is happening here, because in a city as segregated as Chicago this is indeed good news, and a faithful response to the Gospel. So I urge you to continue on this journey of embracing each other. There are lots of resources available  to help you strengthen your life together as partners in ministry. As a Zen proverb wisely says: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

I would like to close with a litany of confession I wrote this week, and which was published by the Presbyterians Today magazine blog[xii] (although I later added the last stanza). And I would like to invite you to join me in responding, by reading the parts in bold letters.

“Twiddling our thumbs”
A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on Luke 23:33-43

The people were standing around watching, but the leaders sneered at him, saying, ‘He saved others. Let him save himself if he really is the Christ sent from God, the chosen one.’ – Luke 23:35

Children are hungry
because wages are low or stagnant
while the cost of living continues to rise
and the poor struggle to put food on the table.
           But those of us who are satisfied
            stand around watching,
            judging the victims and blaming God
            while twiddling our thumbs.
                        God of the hungry,
                        free us from the prison of abundance,
                        and give us courage to work for the release
                        of those who are crucified by excesses.


Men and women are unemployed
because workers are displaced
by plant closures, new technologies,
and trade agreements that produce imbalances.
            But those of us who are employed
            stand around watching,
            judging the victims and blaming God
            while twiddling our thumbs.
                        God of the unemployed,
                        free us from the prison of safety,
                        and give us courage to work for the release
                        of those who are crucified by progress.


Migrants cross borders
because local economies have been destroyed
by big retailers, subsidized farming and mounting debt,
and small farmers are pushed off the land.
            But those of us who are dwellers
            stand around watching,
            judging the victims and blaming God
            while twiddling our thumbs.
                        God of the migrants,
                        free us from the prison of ignorance,
                        and give us courage to work for the release
                        of those who are crucified by greed.


Families are separated
because immigration laws are unjust
and those hired to work in the shadows
are criminalized, detained and deported.
            But those of us who are safe
            stand around watching,
            judging the victims and blaming God
            while twiddling our thumbs.
                        God of the separated,
                        free us from the prison of cruelty,
                        and give us courage to work for the release
                        of those who are crucified by apathy.


People are afraid
because evil triumphed at the ballot box,
and hate speech and attacks are now rampant,
emboldened by xenophobia, sexism, and homophobia.
            But those of us who are privileged
            stand around watching,
            judging the victims and blaming God
            while twiddling our thumbs.
                        God of the frightened,
                        free us from the prison of bigotry,
                        and give us courage to work for the release
                        of those who are crucified by complicity.


May our lives proclaim that the God of the Living rules.
May the Spirit of Truth convert all the rich fools.
May the Christ of the Cross in our daily walk be reflected.
May we share paradise with the forgotten and the neglected.

%%%




[i] http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/fashion-designer-sophie-theallet-pens-open-letter-refusing/story?id=43639234&cid=abcn_fb
[ii] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/us/mike-pence-hamilton.html?_r=0
[iii] http://www.npr.org/2016/11/19/502687591/hamilton-to-pence-we-are-the-diverse-america-who-are-alarmed
[iv] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hamilton-cast-speech-mike-pence_us_582fccd7e4b058ce7aab4c6f
[v] http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/01/28/upshot/donald-trump-twitter-insults.html
[vi] http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/10/25/pending-lawsuits-donald-trump-presidency/92666382/
[vii] http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/politics/popular-vote-turnout-2016/index.html
[viii] http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/14/502013652/hundreds-of-hateful-incidents-reported-in-wake-of-trumps-victory
[ix] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/18/opinion/a-wave-of-harassment-after-trumps-victory.html?smid=fb-share
[x] http://www.pcusa.org/news/2016/11/16/when-incivility-becomes-norm/
[xi] http://mccormick.edu/news/mccormicks-response-election
[xii] http://www.presbyterianmission.org/today/2016/11/18/justleros-nonsense-mas-que-disparates-7/

Saturday, November 19, 2016

“Twiddling our thumbs” / “De brazos cruzados”

A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on Luke 23:33-43

First published on 11/18/16 by
Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices

Detail of a weaving titled “Loving God Well,” by Karla M. Kincannon, which hangs in the lobby of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Illinois. Detalle de un tejido titulado “Amar bien a Dios”, por Karla M. Kincannon, que cuelga en el vestíbulo del Seminario Teológico Evangélico Garrett, en Evanston, Illinois.

by Magdalena I. García

Children are hungry
because wages are low or stagnant
while the cost of living continues to rise
and the poor struggle to put food on the table.
But those of us who are satisfied
stand around watching,
judging the victims and blaming God
while twiddling our thumbs.

God of the hungry,
free us from the prison of abundance,
and give us courage to work for the release
of those who are crucified by excesses.


Men and women are unemployed
because workers are displaced
by plant closures, new technologies,
and trade agreements that produce imbalances.
But those of us who are employed
stand around watching,
judging the victims and blaming God
while twiddling our thumbs.

God of the unemployed,
free us from the prison of safety,
and give us courage to work for the release
of those who are crucified by progress.


Migrants cross borders
because local economies have been destroyed
by big retailers, subsidized farming and mounting debt,
and small farmers are pushed off the land.
But those of us who are dwellers
stand around watching,
judging the victims and blaming God
while twiddling our thumbs.

God of the migrants,
free us from the prison of ignorance,
and give us courage to work for the release
of those who are crucified by greed.


Families are separated
because immigration laws are unjust
and those hired to work in the shadows
are criminalized, detained and deported.
But those of us who are safe
stand around watching,
judging the victims and blaming God
while twiddling our thumbs.

God of the separated,
free us from the prison of cruelty,
and give us courage to work for the release
of those who are crucified by apathy.


People are afraid
because evil triumphed at the ballot box,
and hate speech and attacks are now rampant,
emboldened by xenophobia, sexism, and homophobia.
But those of us who are privileged
stand around watching,
judging the victims and blaming God
while twiddling our thumbs.

God of the frightened,
free us from the prison of bigotry,
and give us courage to work for the release
of those who are crucified by complicity.


MAY OUR LIVES PROCLAIM that the God of the Living rules.
MAY THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH CONVERT all the rich fools.
MAY THE CHRIST OF THE CROSS in our daily walk be reflected.
MAY WE SHARE PARADISE with the forgotten and the neglected.

%%%

“De brazos cruzados”


Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en
Lucas 23:33-43

Publicado originalmente el 11/18/16 por el
blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: One Church, Many Voices


por Magdalena I. García


La niñez tiene hambre
porque los salarios están bajos o estancados
mientras que el costo de la vida sigue subiendo
y la gente pobre lucha por llevar comida a la mesa.
Pero quienes estamos satisfechos
seguimos parados mirando,
juzgando a las víctimas y culpando a Dios,
mientras nos quedamos de brazos cruzados.

Dios de los hambrientos,
líbranos de la prisión de la abundancia,
y danos valor para luchar por la liberación
de quienes están crucificados por los excesos.


Hombres y mujeres están desempleados
porque los obreros son desplazados
por los cierres de plantas, las nuevas tecnologías,
y los tratados comerciales que producen desbalances.
Pero quienes estamos empleados
seguimos parados mirando,
juzgando a las víctimas y culpando a Dios,
mientras nos quedamos de brazos cruzados.

Dios de los desempleados,
líbranos de la prisión de la seguridad,
y danos valor para luchar por la liberación
de quienes están crucificados por el progreso.


Migrantes cruzan fronteras
porque las economías locales han sido destruidas
por las grandes minoristas, la agricultura subvencionada y la creciente deuda,
y los pequeños agricultores son desplazados de sus tierras.
Pero quienes somos moradores
seguimos parados mirando,
juzgando a las víctimas y culpando a Dios,
mientras nos quedamos de brazos cruzados.

Dios de los migrantes,
líbranos de la prisión de la ignorancia,
y danos valor para luchar por la liberación
de quienes están crucificados por la avaricia.


Familias son separadas
porque las leyes de inmigración son injustas
y los contratados para trabajar en las sombras
son criminalizados, detenidos y deportados.
Pero quienes estamos seguros
seguimos parados mirando,
juzgando a las víctimas y culpando a Dios,
mientras nos quedamos de brazos cruzados.

Dios de los separados,
líbranos de la prisión de la crueldad,
y danos valor para luchar por la liberación
de quienes están crucificados por la apatía.


La gente está atemorizada
porque el mal triunfó en las urnas electorales,
y el discurso y los ataques de odio están rampantes
envalentonados por la xenofobia, el sexismo y la homofobia.
Pero quienes estamos privilegiados
seguimos parados mirando,
juzgando a las víctimas y culpando a Dios,
mientras nos quedamos de brazos cruzados.

Dios de los aterrados,
líbranos de la prisión del intolerancia,
y danos valor para luchar por la liberación
de quienes están crucificados por la complicidad.


QUE NUESTRAS VIDAS PROCLAMEN que el Dios de Amor reina.
QUE EL ESPÍRITU DE VERDAD de la insensatez nos convierta.
QUE EL CRISTO DE LA CRUZ se vea en nuestra vida reflejado.
QUE COMPARTAMOS EL PARAÍSO con los desatendidos y olvidados.

© Magdalena I. García

Saturday, November 12, 2016

“A path where there is none” / “Un camino donde no lo hay”

A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on Luke 21:5-19

First published on 11/11/16 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, Many Voices
Revised for this blog



Path built by neighbors on the 3200 South block of Aberdeen Street, in Chicago. / Camino construido por el vecindario en la cuadra 3200 al sur de la calle Aberdeen, en Chicago.

by Magdalena I. García

They will harass us.
They will persecute us.
They will arrest us.
They will imprison us.
All because of Jesus’ name,
the homeless refugee
who mingled with the outcasts
and resisted the empires of his day.
Are we there yet?

They will betray us.
They will defame us.
They will hate us.
They will kill us.
All because of Jesus’ name,
the poor immigrant
who mingled with the marginalized
and resisted the evil forces of his day.
Are we there yet?

On good days
I like to believe that we are almost there,
that I’m part of a church
that confronts the doctrine of hatred
with the gospel of love
by putting its own life on the line.

On good days
I like to believe that we are almost there,
that I’m part of a church
that confronts the threat of death
with the promise of resurrection
by offering hope in a world of doom.

On good days,
I like to believe that we are almost there,
that I’m part of a church
that confronts the blockage of dead ends
with the paving of new ways
by opening a path where there is none.

%%%

“Un camino donde no lo hay”


Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en Lucas 21:5-19

Publicado originalmente el 11/11/16 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians today: One Church, any Voices
Revisado para este blog

por Magdalena I. García


Nos acosarán.
Nos perseguirán.
Nos arrestarán.
Nos encarcelarán.
Todo por causa del nombre de Jesús,
el refugiado desamparado
que se mezcló con la gente desechada
y resistió a los imperios de su día.
¿Acaso ya llegamos?

Nos traicionarán.
Nos difamarán.
Nos odiarán.
Nos matarán.
Todo por causa del nombre de Jesús,
el inmigrante pobre
que se mezcló con la gente marginada
y resistió a los imperios de su día.
¿Acaso ya llegamos?

En los días buenos
me gusta creer que ya casi llegamos,
que soy parte de una iglesia
que confronta la doctrina del odio
con el evangelio del amor
al poner en juego su propia vida.

En los días buenos
me gusta creer que ya casi llegamos,
que soy parte de una iglesia
que confronta la amenaza de la muerte
con la promesa de la resurrección
al ofrecer esperanza en un mundo de fatalidad.

En los días buenos
me gusta creer que ya casi llegamos,
que soy parte de una iglesia
que confronta el bloqueo de los callejones sin salida
con el adoquinado de nuevas vías
al abrir un camino donde no lo hay.

© Magdalena I. García

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

“On the morning after” / “A la mañana siguiente”

First thoughts on the election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States
The angle of grief. Internet image. / El ángel del duelo. Imagen de internet.

by Magdalena I. García


I am a woman.
I am a person of color.
I am an immigrant.
I am an LGTBQ ally.
I am an interreligious partner.
And so, on the morning after
misogyny, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and Islamophobia
triumphed at the ballot boxes,
my heart grieves.

But I am also a minister
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
and on the morning after
I wonder how this could have happened
in a nation that calls itself Christian,
and I realize with great sadness
that we are not who we claim to be.

And so, as I wake up to this painful truth
on the morning after,
I renew my commitment to the prophetic calling
that ignited Jesus’ life and ministry,
and sent him into the streets and roads
where he mingled with marginalized people
offering them dignity and hope:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[1]


And so the question that remains
on the morning after
is who will come along on this challenging journey
of healing and reconciliation,
of justice and liberation,
because it takes a village,
a diverse, visionary and courageous village
of people who want to embody goodwill,
to trump hatred and fear.

Will you register for this campaign
on the morning after?

%%%

“A la mañana siguiente”


Primeras reflexiones sobre la elección de Donald J. Trump como el 45to presidente de Estados Unidos

por Magdalena I. García


Soy una mujer.
Soy una persona de color.
Soy una inmigrante.
Soy una aliada de la comunidad LGBTQ.
Soy colaboradora interreligiosa.
Así que, a la mañana siguiente
del triunfo de la misoginia, el racismo, la xenofobia y la islamofobia
triunfaron en las urnas electorales,
mi corazón se aflige.

Pero también soy una ministra
del Evangelio de Jesucristo,
y en la mañana siguiente
me pregunto cómo pudo suceder esto
en una nación que se llama cristiana,
y comprendo con gran tristeza
que no somos quienes alegamos ser.

Así que, a medida que despierto a esta dolorosa verdad
en la mañana siguiente,
renuevo mi compromiso con el llamado profético
que avivó la vida y el ministerio de Jesús,
y lo envió a las calles y los caminos
donde se mezcló con la gente marginada
y le ofreció dignidad y esperanza:

“El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí.
Me ha ungido para proclamar buenas noticias a los pobres;
me ha enviado a proclamar libertad a los cautivos,
a dar vista a los ciegos,
a poner en libertad a los oprimidos
 y a proclamar el año de la buena voluntad del Señor”.[2]


Así que la pregunta que resta
en la mañana siguiente
es quién me acompañará en este desafiante viaje
de sanación y reconciliación,
de justicia y liberación,
porque hace falta una aldea,
una aldea diversa, visionaria y valiente
de gente que quiera encarnar la buena voluntad,
para vencer el odio y el miedo.

¿Te inscribirás para esta campaña
en la mañana siguiente?

%%%





[1] Luke 4:18-19, NRSV
[2] Luke 4:18-19, RVC

Saturday, November 5, 2016

“Asking the right questions” / “Hacer las preguntas correctas”

A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on Luke 20:27-38

First published on 11/04/16 by Presbyterians Today magazine blog: One Church, ManyVoices

Two-faced sculpture at the entrance of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. mig / Escultura de dos caras en la entrada de los Jardines y Parque de Esculturas Frederik Meijer, en Grand Rapids, Michigan. mig

by Magdalena I. García

It’s all about the brothers,
about their future and their breed,
while the woman has no say
because she is merely a commodity.

It’s all about the brothers,
about their whims and their greed,
while the woman has no options
because she is merely a property.

But it turns out that this sister
seems to have the stronger genes,
because she outlives all seven men
despite her lack of progeny.

And it turns out that this sister
will be freed from dependence and need,
because in God’s realm she’s assured
deliverance, security, and equality.

Forgive us, God of our ancestors,
for asking the wrong questions,
the ones that allow us to beat about the bush
while many of your beloved creatures,
outside our door and halfway across the world,
languish and perish
due to neglect and abuse.

Give us courage, God of the living,
for asking the right questions,
the ones that challenge the status quo
and usher in a new order,
where all your sons and daughters,
like true brothers and sisters,
may prosper and foster community,
and build a world without borders.

Enable us, God of the resurrection,
to be an answer to the world’s questions,
the ones that deal with matters of life and death,
avoiding useless conversations,
averting malicious distractions,
and living in such a way
that all your beloved children
are able to rejoice and thrive.

%%%

“Hacer las preguntas correctas”

Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en Lucas 20:27-38

Publicado originalmente el 11/04/16 por el blog de la revista Presbyterians Today: One Church, Many Voices

por Magdalena I. García


Se trata de los hermanos,
de su futuro y su descendencia,
mientras que la mujer no tiene voz
porque ella es meramente una pertenencia.

Se trata de los hermanos,
de sus caprichos y su voracidad,
mientras que la mujer no tiene opciones
porque ella es meramente una propiedad.

Pero resulta que esta hermana
parece mejores genes tener
porque ella sobrevive a los siete hombres
a pesar de que prole no logra obtener.

Y resulta que esta hermana
quedará libre de la dependencia y la necesidad,
porque en el reino de Dios se le garantizan
liberación, seguridad e igualdad.

Perdónanos, Dios de nuestros antepasados,
por hacer las preguntas equivocadas,
aquellas que nos permiten irnos por las ramas
mientras que muchas de tus criaturas amadas,
junto a nuestra puerta y al otro lado del mundo,
languidecen y perecen
por causa de la negligencia y el abuso.

Danos valor, Dios de los vivos,
para hacer las preguntas correctas,
aquellas que reten el orden establecido
y marquen el inicio de una nueva era
donde todos tus hijos e hijas,
como verdaderos hermanos y hermanas,
puedan prosperar y vivir en comunidad,
y construir un mundo sin fronteras.

Habilítanos, Dios de la resurrección,
para contestar las preguntas del mundo,
aquellas que conciernen cuestiones de vida o muerte,
evitando las conversaciones inútiles,
eludiendo las distracciones maliciosas
y viviendo de tal manera
que todos tus amados hijos e hijas
puedan regocijarse y florecer.

© Magdalena I. García