Talking with many English speaking Lutherans it is clear to me that for many Lutherans reverence of the Virgin Mary is of very little importance when it comes to the development of their faith.

I realize that in the Lutheran church little attention has been given to teachings regarding the woman who in Luke 1:42 is called “blessed among all women.” For a majority of Latinos/as there has been a strong emphasis in our religious education on the important role Mary was chosen to fulfill.

Therefore, we hold her in high esteem. While we all as Lutherans honor the Virgin Mary, our devotion, understanding, closeness, identification with her, and ways of expressing our love may differ.

As a Latino Lutheran, I have come to understand that within the wider Lutheran church, we have different expressions of our shared faith. While those expressions may be influenced by our specific cultures, our core beliefs are the same. We must all remember that Jesus Christ is the center of our faith.

As Martin Luther expressed in his writings about Church and Ministry II (Luther’s Works Volume 40, Edited by Conrad Bergendorff and Helmut T. Lehmann, Fortress Press, Philadelphia, 1958. Pg. 91), “the use of images…is not only to be tolerated, but for the sake of … the witness they are praiseworthy and honorable.”

In the next issue of the Visitor, I look forward to sharing with you how Mexican culture is influenced strongly by the image of the Virgin Mary as expressed in Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Con voz profetica,