Time of Transformation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, invite us to reflect on how the experience of the love and mission of God is the foundation of transformations in both individuals and society.

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

The Reading from the Prophet Zechariah is an Expansion on the Themes of the First Three Visions.

* [2:10] Land of the north: refers to Babylon (v. 11), in a geographic rather than a political sense, as the place from which exiles will return. The designation is “north” because imperial invaders historically entered Palestine from that direction (see Jer 3:18; 23:8).

* [2:15] Many nations…my people: a way of expressing God’s relationship to people in covenant language. The covenant between God and Israel (see Jer 31:33; 32:38) is here universalized to include all nations.

* [2:16] The holy land: the Lord’s earthly territory, a designation found only rarely in the Old Testament. (“Zechariah, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The Text from the Book of Revelation proclaims The Woman and the Dragon.

* [12:1–6] The woman adorned with the sun, the moon, and the stars (images taken from Gn 37:9–10) symbolizes God’s people in the Old and the New Testament. The Israel of old gave birth to the Messiah (Rev 12:5) and then became the new Israel, the church, which suffers persecution by the dragon (Rev 12:6, 13–17); cf. Is 50:1; 66:7; Jer 50:12. This corresponds to a widespread myth throughout the ancient world that a goddess pregnant with a savior was pursued by a horrible monster; by miraculous intervention, she bore a son who then killed the monster.

* [12:2] Because of Eve’s sin, the woman gives birth in distress and pain (Gn 3:16; cf. Is 66:7–14).

* [12:3] Huge red dragon: the Devil or Satan (cf. Rev 12:9; 20:2), symbol of the forces of evil, a mythical monster known also as Leviathan (Ps 74:13–14) or Rahab (Jb 26:12–13; Ps 89:11). Seven diadems: these are symbolic of the fullness of the dragon’s sovereignty over the kingdoms of this world; cf. Christ with many diadems (Rev 19:12).

* [12:5] Rule,iron rod: fulfilled in Rev 19:15; cf. Ps 2:9. Was caught up to God: reference to Christ’s ascension.

* [12:6] God protects the persecuted church in the desert, the traditional Old Testament place of refuge for the afflicted, according to the typology of the Exodus; see note on Rev 11:2. (“Revelation, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The response from the Book of Judith describes how Judith Displays the Head of Holofernes.

* [13:12–20] Elements from chaps. 8–9 are echoed here. The assembly of the people at Judith’s return parallels the meeting of the town officials summoned by Judith in 8:10. Uzziah blesses Judith in 8:5 and again in 13:18–20. (“Judith, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth.

* [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord.

* [1:45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Mary’s role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among “those who believed” after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14).

* [1:46–55] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. Because there is no specific connection of the canticle to the context of Mary’s pregnancy and her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat (with the possible exception of v. 48) may have been a Jewish Christian hymn that Luke found appropriate at this point in his story. (“Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Desiree Nownes comments her experience was always that the church was a sanctuary from the evils of the world and a place that the poor, hungry, and downtrodden could turn to. In recent years, She feels that the church has taken on a very political stance and is not the protector of the poor, needy, and puts out more wrath than love. As we stand before our creator, will we be able to say that his church welcomed all who sought refuge from the dragon and evilness in the world? During this time of Advent as a time of light, can we dispel the darkness and welcome a season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love?

Life is hard. Times are difficult. I am exhausted by the world and the despair I see.

I contemplate peace and pray for guidance against those who only wish hardship and ruin on others.

Be our light, Lord. Bring back the nurturing and protective nature of the church and its teachings. May they know we are Christians by our love.

“I (almost) always come limping into Advent,

desperate for light, but almost too tired to look for it.

Then, I remember, the light comes to look for me,

and that’s the whole point.” (Annie B. Jones) (Nownes, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Mary conceives the Creator of all things,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.

"Gabriel flew down from the vault of heaven and came to Nazareth; standing before the virgin Mary, he cried to her, 'Rejoice! You shall conceive a son more ancient than Adam, the Creator of all things and Savior of those who cry to you. Rejoice, pure virgin!' Gabriel brought from heaven good tidings to the Virgin, and he cried out to her, 'Rejoice! You shall conceive him whom the world cannot contain; he shall be contained within your womb. You shall bear him who shone forth from the Father before the morning star!' (Psalm 110:3).

"The co-eternal Word of the Father who has no beginning, not being parted from the things on high, has now descended here below, in his boundless love taking pity on fallen humankind. He has assumed the poverty of Adam, clothing himself in a form strange to him." (excerpt from STICHERA OF THE ANNUNCIATION) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:26-38 comments that In today’s first reading, the prophet Zechariah proclaims, “You shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you” when “many nations” join themselves to the Lord (Zechariah 2:15). Just so, we can rejoice that the Lord has sent our Blessed Mother to us because of the way people from “many nations,” including our own, have joined themselves to the Lord as a result of her appearances.

God sent the prophet Zechariah to Israel with a message of salvation. He sent the angel Gabriel to Mary with a message of salvation. He sent the Virgin Mary to the Americas with a message of salvation. And he’s sending you to your friends, family, and community with a message of salvation. So don’t be afraid to share the good news about Jesus; it’s just as powerful today as ever!

“Lord, thank you for sending me into the world!” (“Meditation on Luke 1:26-38,” 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments how Zechariah speaks about the Lord coming to rescue Zion and Judah will be His own portion. God will make a home among His people. The Ark of the Covenant was seen in the Temple announcing God coming for judgement. We may think of Mary and the Immaculate Conception but it also is the Church giving birth to Jesus throughout history. The primordial rebellion against God is presented in sweeping of the stars. In Luke, the Holy Family starts in Nazareth, which is in the region of Galilee. They travel to Bethlehem in Judea for a Roman census, where Jesus is born, and then return to Nazareth shortly after. 

This account differs from the Gospel of Matthew, in which the Holy Family appears to be living in Bethlehem. In Luke, the Spirit greets Mary in the perfect tense, indicating she is always full of grace. Mary is a bit troubled that she would bear Jesus, “Yeshua”  or“Yahweh saves” who in the light of The Holy Spirit we understand as the Only Son of God. Friar Jude addresses the difference in Zachariah and Mary’s question, valid in the case of Mary who becomes the new Ark of the Covenant, Her pregnancy was also possible. Those damaged by sin are not able to be totally vulnerable as was Mary. The visitation where Mary travels to Ein Karem and Elizabeth can recognize Mary’s surrender to the will of God as John the Baptist, in Elizabeth’s womb, gives witness to the Lord. Friar Jude comments that The “Magnificat” is chosen by Luke to illustrate how Mary proclaims the greatness of God.

Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us of the context of Galatians and reiterates Paul’s admonition not to revert to our previous ways of life now that we have been freed from the yoke of slavery. He also discusses the works of the flesh which separate us from Christ and the fruits of the spirit which result from a life lived in God, reminding us that we will reap what we sow in due season. Today’s readings are Acts 25, Galatians 4-6, and Proverbs 29:15-17.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Stephanie Duncan Smith who writes about her experience of suffering a miscarriage during the Advent season. She recounts how averse she felt to the holiday celebrations in her time of grief.

The God of Advent is not a God of indifference, but the God who imagined mirror neurons into existence—the cell network responsible for so much of what makes us human, which is the basic ability to read and respond to the emotional needs of others. Every human encounter of empathy begins with mirror neurons firing in witness to pain.

It is fitting, then, that the sacred year begins with Advent. Human pain is the call—every nerve ending crying out. The Incarnation is the response—every mirror neuron of God firing, volcanic in awakening. God hears the crash and cries of our great fall and, like a mother, comes running. Emmanuel rushes through time and space to be not just near our hurt, but human with us in it.

What I had missed was the very essence of Advent: This is an entire season dedicated to hearing the hurt and naming the night. We are not just allowed to do so, we are openly called to do so. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the consolation of the Spirit as we negotiate our journey through challenge and loss with trust in God to transform our lives through love, mercy and compassion.

References

Judith, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judith/13?18 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1? 

Meditation on Luke 1:26-38. (2025, December 12). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/12/1444284/ 

Nownes, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-12-2025 

Revelation, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/advent-heals-the-hurt/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). For with God Nothing Will Be Impossible. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Zechariah, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/2?14 

Liberation and Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on our response to the need in our community for the Hebrew understanding, of “go’el” and the bravery of the Baptist to call for transformation.

Voice in the Wilderness

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims The Liberator of Israel.

* [41:14] Redeemer: in Hebrew, go’el, one who frees others from slavery and avenges their sufferings; cf. Lv 25:48; Dt 19:6, 12. Cf. note on Ru 2:20. (“Isaiah, CHAPTER 41 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Psalm 145 declares God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (“Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew declares Jesus’ Testimony to John.*

* [11:11] John’s preeminent greatness lies in his function of announcing the imminence of the kingdom (Mt 3:1). But to be in the kingdom is so great a privilege that the least who has it is greater than the Baptist.

* [11:12] The meaning of this difficult saying is probably that the opponents of Jesus are trying to prevent people from accepting the kingdom and to snatch it away from those who have received it.

* [11:13] All the prophets and the law: Matthew inverts the usual order, “law and prophets,” and says that both have prophesied. This emphasis on the prophetic character of the law points to its fulfillment in the teaching of Jesus and to the transitory nature of some of its commandments (see note on Mt 5:17–20). (“Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB,” n.d.)

As a mother (and grandmother/great-grandmother), Nancy Shirley wonders what Mary thought about her future.

Those of us who are parents remember how many questions arose as we first thought about our children’s futures. Even before we saw their beautiful, wrinkled faces, we anticipated. Who would they look like? Will they be healthy? What will they be when they grow up? Did Mary deal with that myriad of questions? Did Mary have any idea of her baby’s future? Did she know the sacrifice He would make for us? So many questions in my mind of how a young, innocent girl could take on this enormous responsibility seemingly without anxiety, rather with a pure, open heart. There is only one explanation: unwavering FAITH! The same unwavering Faith that John demonstrated throughout his ministry and the same Faith that we are challenged to embrace not only during Advent but every day of our lives.

This song represents the essence of Mary so clearly that I must have it here for a December reflection: Hail Mary, Gentle Woman

Since we are close to the Nativity, I have to include my favorite version of Mary, Did You Know? It captures the many questions we have as parents about our children’s future in the unique circumstances Mary faced. (Shirley, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes The Kingdom of Heaven, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)

"What violence (Matthew 11:12)? People did not believe in John the Baptist. The works of Christ were held to be of no importance. His torment on the cross was a stumbling block. 'Until now' prophecy has been dormant. But now the law is fulfilled. Every prediction is finished. The spirit of Elijah is sent in advance through John's words. Christ is proclaimed to some and acknowledged by others. He is born for some and loved by others. The violent irony is that his own people rejected him, while strangers accepted him. His own people speak ill of him, while his enemies embrace him. The act of adoption offers an inheritance, while the family rejects it. Sons refuse to accept their father's last will, while the slaves of the household receive it. This is what is meant by the phrase 'the kingdom of heaven suffers violence' (Matthew 11:12). Earlier expectations are being torn apart. The glory that was pledged to Israel by the patriarchs, which was announced by the prophets and which was offered by Christ, is now being seized and carried off by the Gentiles, through their faith." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 11.7) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20 comments that the Israelites felt weak, hardly the kind of people who could “thresh the mountains and crush them” (41:15). But God promised to strengthen them for the journey back home.

That all may see and know, observe and understand, That the hand of the Lord has done this (43:20). Finally, know that as he refreshes you, God will also make you into a living witness to his love, just as the Israelites were. When people see you, they will see God’s own presence and strength and goodness!

“Lord, you are my help, my strength, my source of life. I put my trust in you.” (“Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20,” 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuation in Second Isaiah of the Lord speaking to the whole Israel that the Lord will redeem them. This message is usually in the third person but here the first person indicates intimate involvement of God in their rescue. Friar Jude notes the role of John the Baptist, the new Elijah, who functions to bring people back to God by preparing people for the Messiah like Elijah did for the Day of the Lord.

Fr. Mike Schmitz notes how Felix remained unmoved by Paul's teaching despite being compelled by it initially, showing us that unless we act on what we believe, there is no change. As we begin reading St.Paul's letter to the Galatians today, Fr. Mike highlights Paul's explanation of the role of Jewish law in the Age of the Church, clarifying that through baptism, we are all one in Christ and heirs to the promises of the Father regardless of our backgrounds.

James Finley considers how a dark night can transform our humanity and introduces spiritual director Therese DesCamp who has witnessed within herself an ongoing desire to serve others, even in the midst of a dark night.

But if I’m experiencing a dark night, I will still be able to see the humorous side of life. I will be capable of laughter. I may feel deeply the sadness, confusion, and horror of these times—and I may not expect things to get much better. But I can laugh, and most often at myself. I take myself lightly.

Even more clearly, I will be capable of compassion. The dark night does not reduce our capacity to care for others. Rather, it increases that capacity. In fact, some days, caring for others may be the only thing that relieves the suffering of having lost my bearings.

Dark nights don’t involve a diminution of self, but rather a shift in focus away from the ego and onto others. I may no longer have the consolation of feeling like I’m a good person or experiencing the closeness to the “God” that I used to know so intimately. But daily life will be filled with the awareness of the preciousness of all life…. The dark night heightens our connections to all living beings. In a dark night, I feel deeply the sorrow—as well as the joy—of the other. It may be dark in here, but it’s full of love. [2] (Finley, n.d.)

Father David Gierlach offers an Advent Sermon on John the Baptist and the “refining fire of compassion”.

We seek the enlightenment of the Spirit as we apply our Baptismal Anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to our actions to heal and console as spiritual heirs to Jesus Way.

References

Finley, J. (n.d.). Becoming Light for Others. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/becoming-light-for-others/ 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 41 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/41?13 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?11 

Meditation on Isaiah 41:13-20. (2025, December 11). Word Among Us. https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/11/1443671/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Is Elijah Who Is to Come. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shirley, N. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 11, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-11-2025