For millions of Catholics today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, commemorating an apparition of the Virgin to a poor indigenous peasant Juan Diego. Like many in power, the local bishop could not understand why she would appear to Juan rather than to the bishop. Whether you believe the story or not, its symbolism could not be more obvious: the poor and marginalized, those who live in the shadows, belong to God.
Advent brings the same message to us today. Just as Imperial Rome attempted to crush its subjects, those in power today think their money and power will triumph, in the end it will not. Advent is not about a cute baby in a manger. It is about turning the world upside down by the shifting of power from wealth and autocracy to the rest of us,
These words of promise may seem dim as we share the fears of many today, from the loss of health care, housing and food costs, while this government continues to subsidize the wealthy, and masked men tackling and abusing people based on their ethnicity, pulling children away from their parents. The promise is not that God like Zeus in Disney’s Fantasia will come with thunderbolts but that God is with us as we struggle for justice and human dignity, and in that struggle we will ultimately prevail.
Prayer for the Day
Looking for the fruition of your Advent promise, O God,
We are fearful for the powers that exist are strong;
Searching for the hope that will come, O Lord,
We ask for the strength of spirit to continue our struggle.
Taking on the Rome of our day will not be easy, we know,
But just as our ancestors worked for justice, so will we,
In the name of the One who gives us courage,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Empower me to be a bold participant, rather than a timid saint in waiting, in the difficult ordinariness of now.
Ted Loder, retired pastor, Philadelphia social justice church (b. 1930)
The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.
John Wesley, British cleric, reformer (1703-1791)
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
And has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
Mary’s song in Luke 1: 52-53