justleros = more than just nonsense or disparates

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

Disturbing cries
A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on Mark 10:46–52

by Magdalena I. García

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. —Mark 10:46–52

at the street corner we hear
disturbing cries
from the homeless, the beggars
who want our attention
and a meal to get by

at the school park we hear
disturbing cries
from the troublesome, the suspended
who want our attention
and a chance to thrive

at the neglected neighborhood we hear
disturbing cries
from the injured, the survivors
who want our attention
and the violence to stop

at the office lounge we hear
disturbing cries
from the secretaries, the janitors
who want our attention
and their wages to rise

at the church gathering we hear
disturbing cries
from the excluded, the marginalized
who want our attention
and their existence recognized

all around us we hear
disturbing cries
from the underprivileged, the deprived
who want our attention
and their humanity realized

will we plug up our ears
pretend they don’t exist
tell them to be quiet
and order them to desist?
or will we open our hearts
pay close attention
invite them to speak
and consider their questions?

Forgive us, Approaching God,
for distancing ourselves from those who torment us
with their dissonant voices.
Help us, Listening God,
to perceive your embodied presence and prophetic calling
amidst the disturbing voices.

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.

Quilt honoring Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American student fatally shot, despite being unarmed, on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch coordinator.

Reclamos inquietantes
Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en Marcos 10:46–52

por Magdalena I. García

Llegaron a Jericó, y al salir de la ciudad Jesús iba seguido de sus discípulos y de una gran multitud. Junto al camino estaba sentado un mendigo llamado Bartimeo hijo de Timeo, que era ciego. Cuando éste supo que quien venía era Jesús de Nazaret, comenzó a gritar y a decir: “Jesús, Hijo de David, ¡ten misericordia de mí!” Muchos lo reprendían para que callara, pero él gritaba con más fuerza: “Hijo de David, ¡ten misericordia de mí!” Jesús se detuvo y mandó que lo llamaran. Los que llamaron al ciego le dijeron: “¡Mucho ánimo! ¡Levántate, que Jesús te llama!” Arrojando su capa, el ciego dio un salto y se acercó a Jesús, y Jesús le preguntó: “¿Qué quieres que haga por ti?” El ciego le respondió: “Maestro, quiero recobrar la vista”. Jesús le dijo: “Vete, tu fe te ha salvado”. Y enseguida el ciego recobró la vista, y siguió a Jesús en el camino. —Marcos 10:46–52

en la esquina de la calle oímos
reclamos inquietantes
de las desamparadas, los mendigos
que procuran nuestra atención
y una comida para subsistir

en el patio de la escuela oímos
reclamos inquietantes
de las problemáticas, los suspendidos
que procuran nuestra atención
y la oportunidad de progresar

en el barrio desatendido oímos
reclamos inquietantes
de las lesionadas, los sobrevivientes
que procuran nuestra atención
y la violencia detener

en la cafetería del trabajo oímos
reclamos inquietantes
de las secretarias, los conserjes
que procuran nuestra atención
y su salario aumentar

en las reuniones de la iglesia oímos
reclamos inquietantes
de las excluidas, los marginados
que procuran nuestra atención
y su existencia validar

en todas partes oímos
reclamos inquietantes
de las desfavorecidas, los desposeídos
que procuran nuestra atención
y su humanidad realizar

¿nos taparemos los oídos
ignorando su existir
diciéndoles que se callen
obligándoles a desistir?
¿o abriremos nuestros corazones
prestando suma atención
invitándoles a que hablen
y considerando su reflexión?

Perdónanos, Dios Próximo,
por distanciarnos de quienes nos atormentan
con sus voces disonantes.
Ayúdanos, Dios Oyente,
a percibir tu presencia encarnada y tu llamado profético
en medio de reclamos inquietantes.