Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
On this twelfth day of the twelfth month of the twelfth year we celebrate Mary’s setting out in haste and travelling to the hill country of Mexico to prepare the coming of Christianity. Saint Luke celebrates Mary not only as the first disciple to hear the Good News of Jesus; she is also the first evangelist to carry the News to the Hill of Zion, the city of Jerusalem and her cousin Elizabeth. It is fitting that she should appear in the New World at the onset of a new age in human history.
Because she is the New Jerusalem, Mary is prefigured also in today’s first reading from the Prophet Zechariah,
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.Arriving at Elizabeth’s home she sings her greeting and then rejoices with her Magnificat. “See, I am coming to dwell with you! The Lord of hosts has sent me!” she might have said to the old couple.
Many nations of American aborigines would welcome her to their native land, and join themselves to the LORD on that day when she appeared at Guadalupe. They continue to celebrate this feast with processions, dancing, singing and prayers. The Lord would dwell among them, and they would know the Lord of Hosts has sent her to them.
Mary’s appearance at Guadalupe also reflects passages from today’s alternate reading from the Book of Revelation, chapter 12:
…a woman clothed with the sun,with the moon under her feet,and on her head a crown of twelve stars.She was with child…
Our Lady of Guadalupe is standing in front of the sun, which glows brilliantly behind her. (An artist added rays later.) There is a crown of stars over her head and the moon is under her feet. The cincture around her waist, worn very high, indicates she is with child. She will bring forth to the Americas her only begotten son.
This feast celebrates the arrival of Jesus, Mary, the Saints and the Church in the western hemisphere, at the beginning of a new era in human history. As we move into a new millennium with its challenges and unforeseeable change, rest assured that the Holy Company still accompany God’s people wherever we go.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.