November 5

Today in 1811, Father José Matías Delgado rang the bells of a church in San Salvador and called for independence from Spain. Delgado would also go on to lead the independence movement in Guatemala as well. This event is referred to as the “First Shout for Independence of Central America.”

On this day in 1872, Susan B. Anthony and fourteen other women voted for the first time in a presidential election. Anthony was fined $100 for it. She refused to pay the fine. 

This day marks the military murder of Finnish conscientious objector and pacifist Arndt Pekurinen, in 1941. Because his steadfast refusal to wear a uniform, carry a gun, or fight, he was “executed” without a trial

Today is the feast day of Saint Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and Jesus’s aunt. She is also considered a prophet, since the Gospel of Luke recounts the following story: When Mary visits her, but before she is told the good news of Mary’s pregnancy, she exclaims, “why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” 

Today marks the unofficial Bank Transfer Day, first promoted in 2011, which encourages people to take their money out of large banks and put it in credit unions. It is a reminder that, however imperfectly, the we use our money can affect the systems that oppress us. 

Reflection: 

Arndt Pejurinen’s motto was inspired by Jonathan Swift: 

Arndt Pejurinen’s commitment to pacifism was not religious. He just didn't see the utility of killing. His superiors thought they could scare him into killing, or at least make an example of him to scare others from getting the same idea. But when they gave the order to execute him, at least two officers refused. 

People’s refusal to cooperate threatens the state’s use of violence. Non-cooperation is still a powerful tool. 

The story of Mary and Elizabeth’s meeting is an example of Luke’s consistent focus on women and liberation in his gospel. These women are not merely vehicles for bigger star characters to make their entrance. Luke is pointing out the family resemblance between these mothers and the children who will follow them. John is a prophet because his mother was a prophet; Jesus is a faithful rebel because Mary is a faithful rebel. 

Prayer: God, may our rebellion against the power of money and violence be contagious. Amen.