destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
The "new world," ancient to its inhabitants but new to Europeans, had only been discovered when it was visited by a mysterious, heavenly stranger. A peasant catechist met her on his way to morning Mass. She directed him to tell the newly appointed archbishop to build a chapel on that very spot. Humble as he was Juan Diego managed an audience with the prelate who politely heard his request and sent him on his way. The monsignor had better things to do than act upon the behest of poor, indigenous converts.
Several days past and without Juan Diego's attending Mass since he was caring for an ailing uncle. When he did manage to get free he chose another route to avoid the beautiful woman. How could he explain to her that the important hierarch would not build a chapel anywhere near there? But she stopped him anyway and asked about the bishop's response.
When the poor man described his meeting with the bishop, the woman directed him to climb the hill and bring back a spray of roses, although it was too late in the season for roses. To his surprise he found a bush burning brilliantly with red roses. He brought a bunch to her and she arranged them in the tilde, a kind of scapular, he was wearing.
Once again he approached the bishop, but with the gift of roses. When the young man dropped the hem of his scapular the roses fell out. They were both astonished to find a brilliant image of the woman, Our Lady of Guadalupe, stained into its cactus fibers.
The archbishop directed the building of a small chapel and appointed Juan Diego as its custodian. The legend goes on to tell how hundreds of thousands of indigenous Americans came to see the image and to believe in Mary and her son Jesus Christ. Suddenly an evangelization which had been proceeding fitfully because the natives looked askance upon the foreigners ideas of religion, blossomed.
The woman in the image is not European. She has American features and native clothing. She stands in front of the sun and upon a crescent moon; clearly she has authority over the Aztec gods of the sun and moon. But she does not gaze out at the viewer; she bows her head in humility before a higher God. She is pregnant, about to give birth to "a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod."
The woman in the image is not European. She has American features and native clothing. She stands in front of the sun and upon a crescent moon; clearly she has authority over the Aztec gods of the sun and moon. But she does not gaze out at the viewer; she bows her head in humility before a higher God. She is pregnant, about to give birth to "a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod."
Mary the Mother of God, is the first evangelist; she heard the good news from the Angel Gabriel and announced it to her kinswoman Elizabeth. Much to their surprise, she accompanied the first European settlers to America and worked with them to bring our faith to the "new" world.
On this feast day all of the America should rejoice with our Native American and Mexican brothers and sisters in the lovely gift of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
On this feast day all of the America should rejoice with our Native American and Mexican brothers and sisters in the lovely gift of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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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.