Somos Guadalupanas

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of the Americas

Revelation 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 1:39-47

 

Today we remember a visitation, a manifestation and a revelation.

We remember the special way that the Blessed Virgin Mary visited Mexico and the Americas almost 500 years ago.  We remember the manifestation of her presence in the tilma of San Juan Diego.  We remember her revelation as la Moreñita to an indigenous man. 

Our gospel reading recounts Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.  When he felt the presence of Jesus, John leaped with joy in his mother’s womb. His mother Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

In our first reading, we share John’s vision of a woman adorned with the sun, moon and stars.  Scripture scholars say that she represents the people of God.  The people of Israel gave birth to the Christ, who then brought forth the new Israel, the church of God.  The dragon, the evil one, tries to destroy her son.  But the dragon is defeated. 

It is in the birth of Jesus, St. Paul tells us, that we have become adopted children of God.  As God’s children, we are also heirs to the promises of God.  For such a grace, we say with Mary, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

God’s greatness is in God’s humility, compassion and mercy as well as God’s power.  In two weeks, we will see that greatness manifested at Christmas.  God sent his Son as one of us.  God chose to come not in a palace but in a manger.  God was born into the world to poor parents.

We give thanks for the privilege to be guadalupanas, to proclaim God’s greatness in our lives, and to rejoice in the gift of our salvation. We pray for the compassion of the virgin and the courage of Juan Diego to proclaim God’s love and concern for all people, especially those who are poor and despised by others.  We promise to do with our hands what we proclaim with our lips.