Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55 (NRSV)
Devotion
Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a holiday celebrated throughout the world, and particularly in communities with active memories of and connections to indigenous communities. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in the 1500s on a mountain in what is now Mexico, bearing the clothing and symbols of indigenous people living in poverty. The miracles associated with her visitation have offered emancipatory hope and resilience to countless communities suffering deep injustice.
Here in Luke we have Mary's song as she greets Elizabeth, a song which echoes the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Both songs are clear reminders that God stands with those who suffer, and that suffering cannot endure in the face of God's deep love and mercy. They also remind us that God's infinite compassion extended to vulnerable and anguished women, drawing them into giving birth to infinite hope.
Prayer
God, draw us out of our weeping and bring us into your joy; draw us out of our hunger for domination and into your radical love. Come to us in the darkness of our despair and doubt, and empower us to bear hope and love to all those who suffer. Amen.