3rd Sunday of Advent "Reform and Believe in the Good News
3rd Sunday of Advent “Reform and Believe in the Good News”
Only forty years after Christopher Columbus landed in North, America, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego a Christian native American near present day Mexico City. On this Gaudete Sunday, we remember the apparitions of Mary in Mexico. Somehow it seems like God intervenes when things are most bleak.
We recall, of course, how John the Baptist appeared in the desert when the Jewish people were in a sad state. The country was occupied by the Romans. People were oppressed. The Jews did not have control over their own destiny. All seemed lost.
But then John the Baptist came. He preached a message of repentance. He also predicted that the power brokers in Israel who had betrayed their country would receive punishment for their treachery. The day of wrath would come. The ordinary people came asking what can we do? He told the tax collectors to quit extorting people. He instructed soldiers to use the power to lift the populace rather than to beat them down. He called on everyone to be baptized, to repent, to begin a life of sacrifice for others.
The situation in Mexico was bleak in 1531 when Mary miraculously appeared. Only a few years had passed since Spain conquered Mexico. From 1519 to 1521 the Spaniards under Hernán Cortez destroyed the Aztec civilization. The conquerors were motivated by greed. The silver and gold of the Aztecs was the plunder they sought. The Aztecs thought the Europeans were Gods as they rode into Mexico on their horses off their large ships. The native people had never seen such things before.
The Europeans brought disease with them. Various sicknesses killed thousands of the native population. In 1521 a Spanish army came to the capital of the Aztecs near what is present day Mexico City. The army defeated the native warriors with military machinery that the Aztecs could not withstand.
Not only did the Spanish kill many of the Aztecs but they tried to wipe out their whole civilization. Just as the Romans leveled Jerusalem centuries before the Spaniards leveled the capital of the Aztecs. Their temples were destroyed. Royalty was put to the sword. The message that was delivered was that nothing that has gone before is relevant. Your culture is no more. What a devastating blow this must have been. Was there anyone who cared that this injustice was happening?
But then came the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin near Mexico City. Juan Diego, a native American, who was a new convert to Christianity, saw Mary. But it was what Mary looked like that was the key. She left her image behind on Juan Diego’s cloak. The image was unique.
The origin of the image had never been explained (the cloak has been analyzed scientifically and no one can say how it was created); but it was the way Mary was depicted that was most thought provoking. She is shown as a mestiza, in other words, a woman who is of mixed race. She is both a Spaniard and a native American, a woman of color.
She is dressed in a turquoise mantle representing the highest of Aztec God’s. Around her waste is a maternity band indicating that she is the bearer of the one who is to come. Her eyes are downcast, a sign that she isn’t a God.
At the same time the mantel she wears is adorned with stars which signifies the coming of a new age. She stands on the moon. The sun’s rays emanate from behind her showing that she is greater than the sun itself.
The image was comforting to the suffering people. Our Lady stood with the dispossessed as she always has. We are reminded of the only speech she ever gave at the time of the Visitation. She said as we remember:
“God’s mercy is from age to age on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm; he has confused the proud in their innermost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised up the lowly to high places.”
The Virgin stands with the downtrodden. She is always to be a sign of reassurance to the poor and the powerless. Mary should never be seen as a plaster statue who is lifeless and represents the status quo. She is and always will be an agent of peace and justice.
Reflection Questions:
- How do I view Mary? Is she someone who is disconnected from the real world?
- Is Mary an intercessor I turn to in times of trouble? When is the last time I asked her to pray for me?
Dear Parishioners,
This week it was announced that the administration of Alleman High School will be changed. There has been a great deal of turmoil at Alleman as everyone is aware. I have not made any public statements regarding the difficulties. I have tried to refrain from doing that. I did not think that would help the situation. I have expressed my concerns privately to diocesan officials. I have also listened to those who were unhappy when they have approached me.
If there had been a pastor’s board in place, perhaps I could have done more. Unfortunately, that body was disbanded eight years ago. I groped around for what to do and say as all of you have. If there had been functioning consultive bodies in place perhaps a lot of misunderstanding would have been avoided. Vatican II called for collaborative approach to ministry between the faithful and their pastors. Hopefully, we will experience more of that in the days ahead.
I would state unequivocally that I am a proponent of Catholic Schools. I have always been an admirer of the quality of education Alleman has provided through the years. When I was first ordained, I taught there. I have heard from numerous alumni who have gone on to have successful careers after attending Alleman. The love they have for the school shows that there has always been a lot that has been right about Alleman. Has it been perfect at all times? I have been taught that only God is perfect. We are all sinners, but at our core, God has made us good. There are a multitude of good people who support Alleman.
The days ahead will be hard for Alleman and for its supporters. I sense a great desire to move forward. I would encourage everyone to pray for the good of the school. I thank all those who have respectfully expressed their opinion about the controversies of the recent past. We must try to do what is best for our young people. Never has a Catholic High School been needed more in our community. The fight to keep our high school is not over. In many ways it has just begun. Perhaps Alleman can come out of this moment better than it was because talented lay leaders will be able to take more ownership of Alleman.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over our Catholic community in the days ahead.
Fr. Mark
Other Announcements:
Fr. Mark DeSutter and the sisters of St. Benedict are trying to restart the directed retreats that have been held at St. Mary’s monastery in Rock Island in January the last 20 years. Last year there was no in person retreat because of COVID. There will be an in person three-day silent directed retreat on January 16-19 in 2022. If you wish to sign up contact the Benet House at 309-283-2108.
There will be extra confessions for Advent. On December 21st we will have confessions in the church from 4-5 p.m. On December 22nd and 23rd we will have confessions from 6 to 7 p.m. Please come and make use of these extra confession times. There will be no Reconciliation time on December 25th.