Guadalupe

Today, the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, millions will throng to the basilica in Mexico City to pray before the miraculous tilma of Juan Diego where her image has captured the hearts of faithful and non-believers since 1511.  Again, God's plan turned out to be a total surprise and shows us how God works.
Little did the good and humble Juan Diego ever imagine that on his way to Mass he would see the Mother of God and be asked to reveal her desire for a chapel to be built on the hill at Teypeyac.  The cure of his uncle, roses in December and her image on his tilma convinced him that the Mother of God was near to him and to the people of Mexico.  Indeed she appeared dark skinned, spoke the native tongue, and wore garment full of Aztec religious symbols that found their fulfillment in her.
When we least expect it, God intervenes in our lives, and quite often, through his mother.  The recent issue of National Geographic has a fine article on "the cult of Mary", describing some of her many apparitions and their impact.  Her image is on the cover of this issue, in itself most unusual.  As Mary put herself in the hands of God and "let it be done to her according to his word," so too let us put this day and our lives in those same loving and caring hands.
Bro. Rene