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Monday, December 12, 2005

Meditation
Zechariah 2:14-17

I am the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the true God, from whom one lives.

With these words spoken in the language of the Aztecs, a lady surrounded by brilliant light addressed an Aztec peasant named Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, Mexico. It was December 1531, and Tepeyac was the site of an ancient temple dedicated to the “mother goddess” of the Aztecs. Mary told Juan Diego, a recent convert to Catholicism, that she wanted him to tell the local bishop to build a chapel to her there, where she would hear the cries of the people and “help their many sorrows, necessities, and misfortunes.”

At first skeptical, Bishop Juan de Zumárraga sent Juan Diego to get proof of the lady’s identity. He was convinced of the authenticity of Mary’s appearance when Juan returned with two signs: Castilian roses, which normally don’t grow in December in Mexico, and a beautiful image of Mary miraculously imprinted on his cloak.

This extraordinary event was indeed a divine visitation for the people of Latin America. As word of it spread, thousands of Indians came to believe in Jesus and accepted baptism. There was also a profound renewal of faith among the Catholic Spaniards in Mexico. Through Mary’s appearance and her image on Juan Diego’s cloak, God made himself known to a pagan people and touched off a great revival in a nation that had been steeped in idolatry and darkness.

In every age, God’s heart has yearned for men and women to come to know him. His desire to bring people to his Son, Jesus, and the light of his truth is just as strong today as it was when Mary spoke to Juan Diego five centuries ago. And today God is still using wondrous means. He is still working through the Holy Spirit, Mary, the saints, and the most ordinary members of the church to reveal himself to us. In this present age when nations, even those of longstanding Christian traditions, are threatened by new forms of idolatry, let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to pray for us. And may we too proclaim the gospel through our own lives and actions!

“Lord Jesus, use me as a vessel of your love. Help me to be open to the inspirations of your Spirit so that I can lead others to know you.”

(Psalm) Judith 13:18-19; Luke 1:26-38

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, December 12, 2005 >>

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Zechariah 2:14-17

Judith 13:18-19

Luke 1:39-47

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HELP ME, MOM

"Blest is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." —Luke 1:45

If we would just obey God's commandments, Christmas would be fantastic, our prosperity like a river, and our vindication like the waves of the sea (Is 48:18). Our descendants would be as numerous as the grains of sand and our name never cut off (Is 48:19). There'd be no stopping us.

The Lord says: "If only My people would hear Me, and Israel walk in My ways, quickly would I humble their enemies" (Ps 81:14-15). However, we act "like children squatting in the town squares" (Mt 11:16). We disobey others but want others to obey us. We need someone to teach us obedience. The ideal people for this job are parents. Parents both call for and develop obedience in their children.

When Jesus from the cross told Mary to adopt us and be our mother (Jn 19:26), He was giving us someone to teach us obedience. Mary was perfectly obedient, always doing the Father's will. She is both a parent and the expert in obedience. She can certainly teach us to rely on the Lord's grace and obey. She will constantly exhort us to obey Jesus and "do whatever He tells" us (Jn 2:5). With Mary, we can say and live: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say" (Lk 1:38).

Prayer: Father, thank You for parents and pastors, brothers and sisters, and especially Mary, who teaches us to obey You.

Promise: "See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord." —Zec 2:14

Praise: Our Lady of Guadalupe chose to work through a poor man and his bishop to change the world.