THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Joyful, Transformative Love:
Our Lady of Guadalupe
(Zephaniah 3:14-18; Isaiah 12; Phil 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18)
Note: Blended with Archbishop Don Bolen’s Advent Homily in preparation for the delegation to visit Pope Francis.
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In Canada, since 2002 at the initiative of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council, the Catholic Church in Canada chooses this feast to celebrate a National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of the Americas, appeared in Mexico in 1531 as an Indigenous woman to Juan Diego, whose Indigenous name was Cuauhtlatoatzin (“Eagle Who Speaks”), and spoke to him in his Indigenous language of Nahuatl. Around her waist she is wearing an Aztec maternity sash that Mexican women would wear to indicate they were with child. At a time when colonizing powers in the Americas were showing little respect for Indigenous ways, language and culture, the mother of Jesus comes as an Indigenous woman to this land, affirming her special love, indeed her identification with and embrace of Indigenous Peoples and culture. God has always walked with Indigenous Peoples.
In today’s Gospel, chosen not for the feast but for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, we hear echoes of a dialogue between John the Baptist and those he has baptized in the wilderness. In his own words, John’s was a baptism of repentance, signalling a decision to change, to a new way of living, hence they ask him three times “what they should do now?” It is obviously a critical question for Luke. Paul also asks it on the road to Damascus, and each disciple also must ask it on the road to following Jesus.
What is the right thing for a person of faith to do in the face of a world full of misery? We may be responsible for only a fraction of the evil in the world, or we may be a victim of some of it – either way, it seems so vast and we are so insignificant – what can we do to make a difference? John’s response begins by asking them to “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” He points them to generosity and concern with others; “whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” He points them to honesty, to just dealings with others, and to integrity.
Today, as many people are gaining a new understanding of the history of this land, including the history of what Indigenous Peoples have suffered, and of systemic injustice that lives on to this day, many are asking that question: what can we do now?
John the Baptist is our guide. He knows the situation of the world, believes in the One who is to come, and has a single goal to prepare the way for that One who is already here. So, what does John do? He baptizes all comers because the priority for us in this brief season of preparation is to turn our life around. Right now – immediately. There is no time to waste. That is what baptism means – death to the old way; rising to new life. When the One who is to come is in our midst, complete personal transformation is the only adequate response.
What then should we do? Arising out of present relationship with Indigenous people, and in a spirit of genuine repentance, here are a few practical possibilities:
- Learn about the history of this land from an Indigenous perspective;
- Be alert to the ways in which racist attitudes are embedded in our culture, our communities, and our way of seeing things
- Pray for the grace to listen to Indigenous people, and to their past and present experience, with an open heart;
- Learn more about Indigenous culture and ways; there is a richness there that can help us become more human, more in touch with creation and better able to live well in a sustainable way on this land
- Learn more about and accept Indigenous spiritual traditions and sacred ways as a gift to humanity;
- Get to know the TRC’s Calls to Action addressed to the churches, and its principles of reconciliation, and discern what you might do to engage with those;
- Learn more about where systemic change is needed in our society, in terms of education, access to health and to clean water, in restorative justice, in treaty rights and responsibilities
- Become more trauma informed regarding inter-generational trauma flowing from colonization and the IRS.
- Be an ally in the pursuit of justice and right relations; respond generously when the Church gives us the opportunity to make a financial contribution to healing and reconciliation in Indigenous-led ways;
- Ponder and enter into conversation, wherever possible with Indigenous people, about what the Church and Indigenous Peoples walking together in a good way would look like;
- Heed the words from Indigenous people, “nothing about us without us”;
- Learn to walk not in front, nor behind, but together. This is what the Indigenous participants told the Oblates during a north-south dialogue in Guatemala in 1993 and again in Mexico in 1997: “Don’t abandon us now – walk with us.”
Rejoicing because our God is among us is a striking common thread throughout the first two readings and the psalm today. That is why today is called Gaudate Sunday, the Sunday of rejoicing – the Sunday that we light a pink candle in the advent wreath.
There are very legitimate reasons to feel lighter during this season. Children happily look forward to a school break, not to mention presents under the tree. Adults get to enjoy more relaxed office hours, staff parties and Christmas dinners. People on the streets are more likely to smile at strangers, laugh and even sing along with the familiar carols. Everywhere there are lights and symbols of festivity and even faith. It is a season geared for happiness, for togetherness, for a softening of the heart and release of old grudges. “Joy to the world” does seem an appropriate sentiment right about now. Why not go with the flow and rejoice?
We hear St. Paul in today’s reading from the letter to the Philippians tells us “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.” There is a word of encouragement here, that can help us from feeling overwhelmed, from getting depressed when faced with enormous challenges. Paul assures us, the Lord is near. When you are in a tough place, or when you are being profoundly challenged, it is not easy to rejoice. But let us take heart in what God is doing in our midst; let us be encouraged at the attention long overdue that is being given to Indigenous people, their gifts, the challenges they face.
On this Gaudate Sunday, John the Baptist reveals one of the best ways to experience joy – give your neighbour reason to rejoice. You and I need not feel embarrassed to express our joy in a world full of suffering because, when done properly, Christian rejoicing does bring joy to the whole world. We rejoice that we have an extra cloak to share with the one who has none. We give generously because we have been given so much. We trust that God will turn everything to the good for those who love God, and with Julien of Norwich, we can say, “All will be well, and all will be well, and in the end, all manner of being will be well.”
The Eucharist is an opportunity for us to open our hearts to the One who comes so humbly in Word, each other and gifts of bread and wine. May our celebration empower us to go out and live that Word of Love who is Jesus present among us.
