A reminder of Mary's love and God's mercy for all... especially those in greatest need
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, 2019): ZEC 2:14-17; RV 11:19;12:1-6,10; Judith 13:18,19; LK 1:26-38
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this feast we show our reverence for Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas.
In December, 1531, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec who had converted to Christianity. She looked and dressed like one of Juan Diego’s own people and spoke in their language. Mary told him to go to the bishop and say that she wanted a chapel built in that spot. Doubting the story, the bishop initially rejected the request. He finally told Juan Diego that a miracle would be necessary for him to believe that the beautiful maiden was indeed the Blessed Virgin. When she gave him roses that were growing out-of-season, Juan delivered them to the bishop. Then, when the flowers fell from his cape or tilma in which he had carried them, an image of Our Lady was revealed on the cloth, looking just as Juan Diego had described her.
A church was built and news of the miraculous apparition quickly spread. Within a decade more than eight million of the native people became Christians. “Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they shall be His people, and He will dwell among you” (Zechariah 2:14-15). Through Our Lady of Guadalupe, God had shown the people of Mexico and all the Americas his abiding love for them. They, like every person of every country and every generation, are precious children of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Just as we are.
