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

Birth pangs
A resource for Sunday’s liturgy based on 1 Samuel 2:4–8

by Magdalena I. García

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. —1 Samuel 2:4–8

they start slowly and unexpectedly . . .

perhaps in the form of longings
that represent self-realization
and make us hunger for dignity

perhaps in the form of questions
that arouse our curiosity
and make us thirst for answers

perhaps in the form of persons
who challenge our mindset
and make us feel uncomfortable

perhaps in the form of events
that shatter our security
and make us rethink our ways

they start slowly and unexpectedly . . .

and once they start
there is no way to stop
these birth pangs
that always precede
the new things
God is doing in our midst

and when they intensify
we try to appease
these birth pangs
that interrupt our tranquility
by numbing our senses
or disguising our unease

but without them
there is no future
because these birth pangs
that breed changes and unrest
usher in God’s new order
where all creation is blessed

Forgive us, Laboring God,
for failing to raise up the poor from the dust
while pursuing selfishness and lust.
Teach us, Delivering God,
to serve as midwives for your manifestations
and to gladly receive the product of your gestation.
Enable us, Birthing God,
to strive with your Spirit in every generation
raising up hope and bringing down domination
until the birth pangs
reveal your new creation.

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.

Signs made for a street prayer following worship speak of current birth pangs that could usher in a new era of racial justice.

Dolores de parto
Un recurso para la liturgia dominical basado en 1 Samuel 2:4–8

por Magdalena I. García

El Señor quiebra los arcos de los poderosos, y reviste de poder a los débiles. Los que eran ricos, ahora mendigan trabajo; los que sufrían de hambre han sido saciados. Aun la estéril ha dado a luz siete hijos, y la mujer fecunda ahora desfallece. El Señor da la vida, y la quita; nos lleva al sepulcro, y nos rescata de él. El Señor da pobreza y riqueza; el Señor nos humilla y nos enaltece. Al pobre lo levanta de la nada, y saca de la inmundicia al mendigo para sentarlo entre los príncipes. Del Señor son las bases de la tierra; sobre ellas ha afirmado el mundo. —1 Samuel 2:4–8

comienzan lenta e inesperadamente . . .

quizás en forma de anhelos
que representan nuestra realización
y nos dan hambre de dignidad

quizás en forma de preguntas
que despiertan nuestra curiosidad
y nos dan sed de respuestas

quizás en forma de personas
que retan nuestra mentalidad
y nos dan un sentido de incomodidad

quizás en forma de eventos
que destruyen nuestra seguridad
y nos dan cosas nuevas que pensar

comienzan lenta e inesperadamente . . .

y una vez que comienzan
no hay forma de parar
estos dolores de parto
que siempre preceden
a las cosas nuevas
que Dios hace en nuestro entorno

y cuando se intensifican
intentamos apaciguar
estos dolores de parto
que interrumpen nuestra tranquilidad
adormeciendo nuestros sentidos
o disfrazando nuestra incomodidad

y, sin embargo, sin ellos
no hay futuro
porque estos dolores de parto
que generan cambios y disturbios
introducen el nuevo orden de Dios
donde toda la creación recibe bendición

Perdónanos, Dios Laborador,
por fallar en levantar al pobre de la nada
mientras perseguimos el egoísmo y la ambición.
Enséñanos, Dios Paridor,
a servir como comadronas de tu manifestación
y a recibir con agrado el producto de tu gestación.
Permítenos, Dios Alumbrador,
pujar con tu Espíritu en cada generación
levantando la esperanza y derribando la dominación
hasta que los dolores de parto
revelen tu nueva creación.