Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we near the end of the second week of Advent, we come together to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a vibrant symbol of faith, love, and perseverance that resonates deeply within the heart of our Catholic Church and our faithful, especially throughout the Americas. Let us reflect on her significance through the readings we are presented with at Mass from the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of Luke.
Our first reading from Revelation speaks of a "great sign" in the heavens—an image of a woman clothed with the sun, crowned with stars, laboring to give birth. This majestic imagery represents not only Mary, the Mother of God, but also the profound mystery of God's salvific plan for humanity. The woman experiences great suffering, yet through her struggle brings forth the Savior. As we remember the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we see this same duality of challenge and triumph.
In 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a humble indigenous man named Juan Diego in Mexico. Cloaked in the appearance of an indigenous woman, Mary spoke to him in his native language, honoring the culture and faith of the people she came to comfort. Her appearance was not merely a message of hope; it was an embodiment of God’s grace for the marginalized and downtrodden. Just as the woman in Revelation encounters a dragon, Mary faced the skepticism not only of Juan Diego but also of the rulers of her time. Yet her persistent mercy and the love she has always borne for her Son sparked a revolution of faith among the oppressed.
In the Gospel, we witness the Annunciation, where Mary responds to the angel Gabriel with her profound "yes." "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." This moment encapsulates Mary's complete trust in God's plan. She serves as a model of faith for us, urging us to respond to God's call with openness and surrender.
The angel's declaration that Mary's child would "rule all the nations" echoes the hope and promise held by the Latin American people who embraced her message at Guadalupe. Mary, as the Mother, intercedes for them and shows that salvation is not exclusive; it is for all people, transcending borders, languages, and cultures. When Mary appeared to Juan Diego, she was not only speaking to him but calling to every soul who would need the compassion and solace of a mother. The roses that miraculously bloomed in winter as a sign of her presence were a testament to the beauty and richness of faith amidst despair.
As we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe during Advent, we rejoice in her role as the Ark of the Covenant, which the Book of Revelation describes. King David danced in a jubilant and ecstatic fashion when he saw the Tabernacle, with the presence of the Lord within it, approaching. So too, when Mary, pregnant, carrying the God-man in her womb approached Elizabeth, Saint John the Baptist, still in her womb, also leaped for joy. Mary carried within her the presence of God in the flesh, just as the Ark once held the sacred tablets of God’s commandments and his special presence within it as he indicated in the Old Testament. Today, she continues to bring Christ to many and invites us to bring forth His love and compassion into the world, even when it seems difficult.
Our Lady of Guadalupe teaches us that, despite our struggles, God is always preparing a way forward. By embracing the Lord's will for us—just as she did—we can become conduits of God's grace to others.
Like our Blessed Mother, may we rise to the call of our God, carrying the light of Christ into the darkness, with joy and confidence in the promise of salvation that she embodies, for the Trinity truly has done great things for her, and through her, for all of us.
Amen.
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