May It Be Done

December 12, 2008

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe


Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. Zechariah 2:14-15


Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38


Piety

Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear any sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve or be disturbed by anything. (Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego)

Study

Are you one of the chosen people? How do you know?

In the beginning, the “church” might have been seen as only the church for the Jewish people. However, Jesus tried to quickly dispel that notion by meeting with the Pharisees and the Samaritans. Nicodemus came under cover of darkness so the other Jewish leaders would not notice his encounter. However, the woman at the well encountered Jesus right in the middle of the day in the town square so no one could help but notice.

Through the centuries, missionaries tried to force conversion upon other people throughout the world to no avail. We saw Nicodemus change as we encountered him again and again in the Bible. We saw the woman at the well change and lead all her village in conversion.

These lessons come to bear today as we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Catholic Online explains:

"Missionaries who first came to Mexico with the conquistadors had little success in the beginning. After nearly a generation, only a few hundred Native Mexicans had converted to the Christian faith. Whether they simply did not understand what the missionaries had to offer or whether they resented these people who made them slaves, Christianity was not popular among the native people."

"Then in 1531 miracles began to happen. Jesus' own mother appeared to humble Juan Diego. The signs -- of the roses, of the uncle miraculously cured of a deadly illness, and especially of her beautiful image on Juan's mantle -- convinced the people there was something to be considered in Christianity. Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans had themselves baptized as Christians."

Whether it was Saul (Paul) being struck blind or miracles happening in the life of poor Juan Diego, Jesus invites all – no matter where born – to conversion. Today, as we ponder the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, remember that this miracle would not have had any impact were it not for the witness and testimony of Juan Diego whose feast day we celebrated on December 9.

The conversion miracle began with the simple words of the Nazarene virgin 2008 years ago: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” The angel appeared to Mary and set about the work of the Lord through her action. God chose Mary to begin his work on earth. He used her to help us get to know her son.

The spiritual works of mercy continued in the year 1531 when God acted through Mary to reach out to Juan Diego and to dwell among the people in Mexico. When Juan saw Mary, she said to him that she was the Virgin Mary and asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on that site. She said, “I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, and defense, for I am your most devoted mother . . . to hear your laments and to remedy all your miseries, pains, and sufferings.” Once again, God used Mary to help people encounter Jesus. Catholic Online reminds us:

"Mary appeared to Juan Diego not as a European Madonna but as a beautiful Aztec princess speaking to him in his own Aztec language. If we want to help someone appreciate the gospel we bring, we must appreciate the culture and the mentality in which they live their lives. By understanding them, we can help them to understand and know Christ. Our Lady of Guadalupe is patron of the Americas." (From Catholic Online)

Action

The “Guadalupe event” (conversion miracle) continues today as we praise the patron saint of the Americas. Seek out a Mass in your area to commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is the patron of all of the Americas not just the Hispanic portion. So join the broader community in this special Mass.

St. Mary of Sorrows will be celebrating our annual Virgin of Guadalupe Mass at 7 p.m. Friday evening in the Worship Center. The parish will have a procession of children carrying roses to Our Lady on the altar. Children and grandchildren are welcome so they can be a part of the procession. Mass will be followed by a reception in Farrell Hall. Come and worship.