When I was in seminary I was introduced to the idea of “social location.” In a few words this is the awareness of what makes a person unique. The potential for a million questions that might be asked and answered exists for everyone. Where did they grow up? How financially secure are they? What is their language? What is their religion? What is their ethnicity? How old are they? How tall are they? Are they male or female?
The list of questions is never ending and it helps each of us realize that the concept of “one size fits all” could not be further from the truth. This Sunday we will think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is a great example of social location..
I am an older male and I see Mary in my own way. A young girl, poor, barefoot, pregnant, and living in South America, will understand her entirely differently. It’s something to think about and keep in mind about all of us.