Dominican Thoughts from Hannah Murray

Today we went to the church to do work. At the church, there was a number of things that needed to be done. First, I filled in cracks with cement. Second, we loaded cement blocks into a truck. The blocks needed to be taken to another work site that was in the process of being turned into new dorms. A couple other girls and I rode in the back of the truck and it was VERY interesting, to say the least. First of all, it was very bumpy and we got to go in the middle of the city and see a afferent side of things in Santiago. After we unloaded the block, we returned to the church. During this trip, a motorcycle came so close to us that we could literally touch his hand. He then proceeded to pop a wheely and go around us. If no one has mentioned this yet, I'll be the first: the driving is AWFUL. After this exciting adventure we had lunch (which was delicious) and then we went back to the church. The rest of the afternoon we painted the main room where they hold their services. I was able to interact with some of the teens that are a part of the youth group here. Although there is a language barrier, we are still able to talk and get to know them. Overall, the first day has been very uplifting and fun. Tonight, we are going to get ice cream and I am more than excited for that. I hope all is well in the states! And yes, I'm taking advantage of being able to say "in the states".



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A Mirror in the Manger

I shared these thoughts today in the communion meditation.  They are not mine... a college professor of mine at Milligan College, Lee Magness, wrote them (found HERE).

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (Galatians 4:4, 5).

The scene is a sparse hill in ancient Judea, not far from Jerusalem. Nearby is a cave. Jesus wears one meager garment. Mary watches, wondering what it all means. A man stands by, not the father of Jesus, but the one who will care for her. Beneath Jesus are beams of rough wood. Above, the heavens sparkle with supernatural splendor. In the city sits Herod, pondering Jesus’ death. Jewish leaders discuss his coming. Nearby are outcasts, giving their own crude testimony. Soon the rich arrive with gifts, better for burial than for birth.

What did you picture? A birth or a death? A crèche or a cross?

The hill could be a sheep-studded hill near Bethlehem, or the hill called Golgotha. The cave could be a stable crudely cut into one of Bethlehem’s hills or a burial vault recently carved in a nearby cemetery. The garment could be swaddling clothes or a bloody, ragged loincloth.

It is Jesus of course, but is he a newborn baby or a dying man? And it is Mary, but is she sitting at a cradle comforting her baby or is she crouching, crying, and in need of comfort? Is the man Joseph the carpenter or John, who will make her a home? Are the wooden beams a manger or a cross? Are they eyeing a cold, clear star or an eclipsed sun and a blood-red moon.

The Herod could be “the Great,” who tried to kill the baby, or his son, who in a sense succeeded. The outcasts could be shepherds, kneeling on either side, or subversives, hanging on either side. The rich men could be magi who offer exorbitant gifts or Nicodemus and Joseph who offer only an empty tomb.

There’s a mirror in the manger, a birth reflecting a death. So there is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to keep Communion.

God, thank you for sending your Son, to be born, to live, to die, and to live again. We celebrate him this day and pray in his name, Amen. 

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