Our Lady of Guadalupe

 Luke 1: 39-47

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Outside Mexico City (or maybe within it, for the city is much more encompassing than it was 500 years ago at the time of the apparition). millions of people are somehow gathering, despite the Pandemic, to pay their homage to and show their love for the Mother of God who came "as one of them" and within a few short years turned Mexico from a "pagan" land to a country vibrant with Faith. She came as an Aztec, in Aztec dress, pregnant, and asking a poor local man, Juan Diego, to tell the bishop to build a church there on Tepeyac hill. The miraculous image of Mary on Juan's tilma (cloak) convinced the bishop to grant her request.  The tilma is still on display and remains in as perfect condition as it was 500 years ago.

This is the third feast of Mary this week, the Immaculate Conception on the 8th, Our Lady of Loreto on the 11th, and now Our Lady of Guadalupe in the 12th.  Mary can't show her love for us enough, yet unlike Juan Diego, we are hesitant to carry out her on-going wish to make her Son known and loved.  

We as Marists (formally or in spirit) bear a special commission to carry out this mission.  May Mary give us the insight and courage to do this with all the gifts and powers God has given us!

Bro. Rene