In 1987, the Central Committee for the preparation and planning of the Marian Year published a document enttiled, Proclaiming Mary's Magnificat in Solidarity With and Service To the Poor. Then and now the Church is invited to "maintain faithfully the importance which the poor and the option in favor of the poor have in the Word of the living God" (RM, 37). God's love becomes fraternal charity revealing in word and deed the power of grace. For this reason, solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, the abandoned those to whom Christ brought his special ministry and whose condition he wished to share is the characteristic of an existence transformed by grace.

We look to the Mother of God as a model for a life of service to others. Through the centuries, works of charity have had their origins in devotion to and imitation of Mary, and these works are a stimulus for the Church's ogoing program of charitable works. Devotions or practices which do not require conversion of life and service to others are not authentically Marian.

The Magnificat of the Church on Pilgrimage

In the Old Testament, religious words and actions were judged by the quality of service they produced for God's people, especially for the weak, oppressed and marginalized. Formalism and worship divorced from charity and justice were severely denounced by the prophets.

The New Alliance is situated within the prophetic tradition: Christian worship cannot be divorced from social commitment (Rm. 12). The early Church maintained a continuity between the liturgy and fraternal charity, between the Lord's supper and attention to those in need (Acts 2,42; 4,32-35; I Cor. 11,17). Actions which violated the bonds of communion were condemned because the unity of the Body of Christ was violated (tohn Chrysostom, Hom. 50,3-4).

Making a separation between liturgical worship and charitable works is an ever present danger. Vatican Council II warned of isolating segments of the Christian life, of separating liturgy and mission. The liturgy is the "culmination and font" of the whole life of the Church, including its service to humanity. The commitment of charity must precede, be part of, and flow from every liturgical celebration.

As part of authentic worship, devotion to Mary influences life, conduct, and action. Marian devotion which is separated from charity and good works lacks authenticity and credibility. Mary's visit to Elizabeth offers a model of harmonizing worship of the living God with attention to those in need.

Option for the Poor: A Permanent Program within the Church

In many places, programs are already operative which demonstrate the extension of worship into service. Appropriate projects would be structures to assist those in need either those chronically poor or those who have suffered misfortune. Such structures would include dispensaries in villages and slums; learning centers; places of refuge for immigrants, prisoners, unwed mothers; therapeutic programs for drug addicts; and houses for those struggling with alcoholism. Making some housing available to the needy would be a way of marking the United Nations' Year of the Homeless.

Charity which must begin with specific projects also has larger dimensions. Through international organizations, a church or diocese can sponsor a project in the Third World or become a "twin" for a parish in a poor country. A religious congregation can adopt a newly founded religious institute in the Third World.

The preparation of the Millennium is a providential moment for advancing reconciliation and peace. Many situations within families, communities, and nations require that Christians step forth as peacemakers. Justice and respect for human rights are the indispensable foundations for reconciliation and true development.

The person of Mary the mother of all people is the inspiration for promoting unity and peace. The mother of Jesus invites us to consider in a new light the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. In her visit to Elizabeth, at Cana, beneath the cross, and in the cenacle, Mary is not distant to those in need, but with open heart she gives the love of preference with which God has loved her. Her actions to those in need offer us the example of a person doing all that Christ requests (John 2,5).

--taken from The Marain Library Newsletter (Summer, 1988)
adapted by Fr. Johann Roten

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