Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Book of revelation
A great sign appeared – a woman clothed with the sun.
and the moon was under her feet…. on her head a crown of twelve stars.
The prophet Zechariah states that many nations shall join themselves to the Lord. They shall be his people. And God will dwell among you.
Mary hastened to greet Elizabeth, her cousin. Elizabeth proclaimed words we pray frequently: “Blessed are you among women. Blessed is the fruit of your womb. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The texts we hear today and during the days of Advent, and on this feast, help us see and know God’s plan for our salvation. And we also see Mary’s role in that plan, called and set apart to be the Mother of the Savior. Jesus would come to be the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of us all, all people, from every race and nation. All nationalities. All are united in Christ.
That is what makes today’s feast special. Mary appeared to Juan Diego on the hillside in Mexico. That miraculous appearance and the response of the people proved to be the biggest event of evangelization in the history of the church. The bishops of Mexico acknowledge that the miracle of Guadalupe meant the beginning of evangelization with a vitality that surpassed all expectations. Christ’s message, through his Mother, took up the central elements of the indigenous culture.
The truth of this feast as well as the miracle of our redemption is this: God comes to dwell among us; all nations are joined to the Lord. As children of One God, we become brothers and sisters of all who are called and saved by the same loving God.
With Mary let us pray: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, for he has done great things for me, for all of us. Viva Neustra Señora la Virgen de Guadalupe!
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections