One of my favorite images of Our Lady of Guadalupe is in a painting by John August Swanson, an artist who has Mexican and Swedish heritage, and who paints many religious themes. The painting is titled "The Procession" and it features many, many people pouring forth from a cathedral, holding high procession banners, and on each of the procession banners is an image of another procession - either from the Bible, or from a saint's life. The original painting was given to the Vatican by Loyola Marymount, but you can see a print version below (and a larger available from the artist's website here: http://www.johnaugustswanson.com/default.cfm/PID=1.2.21)

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe is on the left hand side, rising so prominently above the many people in the procession. The reason I love this image for both today's feast and for Advent is because today's scriptures are so much about processions and journeys, and a really important theme for us, spiritually.

 

In today's first reading (Zechariah 2:14-17), God proclaims how he is coming to dwell among us! Christians particularly read this prophecy as referring to the fact that God sends his Son Jesus. What I am so struck by today as I read this passage is the atmosphere of rejoicing, and the images of great throngs of people joining to be with God. It's a depiction of a great and joyous procession, just like the one in the painting, a party that we should all want to be a part of because it seems so awesome.

 

In today's Gospel, we see the same reading we had this past Sunday (Luke 1:26-38). Mary says yes to God, and because of this, we all really CAN take part in the party that Zechariah proclaims. There will be no end to this kingdom, to this party, and to this great, collective procession toward God.

 

This Advent season, as we wait for the coming of Jesus, we are called to reflect on what it means to join the procession, to be journeying toward God. In many ways, the season of Advent itself is a journey toward the center of our faith: Jesus Christ. We reach that center on Christmas in our lived liturgy, but during Advent we still haven't quite gotten there. Still, we are joyful, and we are joined by so many other people that it becomes this glorious march.  

 

Each day God also offers us an opportunity to jump into the procession and take part! Today, let us pray for the courage and initiative to do just that!

 

- Jana M. Bennett