A space for a contemporary woman disciple to give voice to justice concerns in a world where some still think that women’s words are just leros (Greek for “nonsense”) or, in Spanish, disparates
True kindred
A reflection and confession based on Mark 3:31–35
by Magdalena I. García
Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters teenager are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” —Mark 3:31–35
the abandoned infant
the neglected child
the molested boy
the sex-trafficked girl . . .
they all stare at the door and ask,
“Are you my mother?”
the homeless youth
the pregnant teenager
the high-school dropout
the bullied adolescent . . .
they all stare at the door and ask,
“Are you my mother?”
the unemployed man
the incarcerated male
the street vendor
the undocumented worker . . .
they all stare at the door and ask,
“Are you my mother?”
the underpaid woman
the domestic servant
the battered wife
the refugee mother . . .
they all stare at the door and ask,
“Are you my mother?”
the impoverished households
the indigent families
the forgotten communities
the segregated cities . . .
they all stare at the door and ask,
“Are you my mother?”
Seeking shelter they come to our door,
searching for hope amidst life’s storms.
Will we turn our backs on our sisters and brothers?
Or extend God’s welcome, as protective mother?
Forgive us, Approaching God, for neglecting your will
by isolating ourselves, and hiding in the temple.
Help us, Solicitous God, to open the door,
to extend the hand, and to be the church.
Empower us, Relating God, to embrace the stranger,
so that we might become true kindred instead.
Magdalena I. García is a PC(USA) teaching elder and a hospice chaplain for Vitas Healthcare in Chicago. She is a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary and a recipient of the 2008 PC(USA) Women of Faith Award. For permission to use content, write to magdalenagarcia@comcast.net.
Verdadera parentela
Una reflexión y confesión basada en Marcos 3:31–35
por Magdalena I. García
Vienen después sus hermanos y su madre, y quedándose afuera, enviaron a llamarle. Y la gente que estaba sentada alrededor de él le dijo: “Tu madre y tus hermanos están afuera, y te buscan”. El les respondió diciendo: “¿Quién es mi madre y mis hermanos?” Y mirando a los que estaban sentados alrededor de él, dijo: “He aquí mi madre y mis hermanos. Porque todo aquel que hace la voluntad de Dios, ése es mi hermano, y mi hermana, y mi madre”. —Marcos 3:31–35
el infante abandonado
la criatura desatendida
el niño maltratado
la niña sexualmente explotada . . .
todos miran a la puerta y preguntan,
“¿Eres mi madre?”
el joven desamparado
la menor preñada
el desertor escolar
la adolescente intimidada . . .
todos miran a la puerta y preguntan,
“¿Eres mi madre?”
el hombre desempleado
el varón encarcelado
el vendedor ambulante
el trabajador indocumentado . . .
todos miran a la puerta y preguntan,
“¿Eres mi madre?”
la mujer mal pagada
la empleada doméstica
la esposa golpeada
la madre refugiada . . .
todas miran a la puerta y preguntan,
“¿Eres mi madre?”
los hogares empobrecidos
las familias necesitadas
las comunidades olvidadas
las ciudades segregadas . . .
todos miran a la puerta y preguntan,
“¿Eres mi madre?”
Procurando refugio llegan a nuestra puerta,
buscando esperanza en medio de las tormentas.
¿Volveremos la espalda a nuestros hermanos y hermanas?
¿O daremos la bienvenida de Dios, cual madre protectora?
Perdónanos, Dios Aproximado, por incumplir tu voluntad
al aislarnos y escondernos en el templo.
Ayúdanos, Dios Solícito, a abrir la puerta,
a extender la mano y a ser la iglesia.
Capacítanos, Dios Relacionado, para acoger al extraño,
para que nos convirtamos a cambio en verdadera parentela.