Homily for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Homily for the Feast of
Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dec. 12, 2023
Collect
Zech 2: 14-17
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Sculpted portrayal of Juan Diego presenting his tilma to the bishop

(in the Vatican Gardens, 5-19-2012)

In the collect we prayed to seek progress in justice and peace, under the “singular protection” of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe.  The message of Mary to Juan Diego and to all his people is motherly care for him and his family, poor campesinos.  Mary shows herself the protectress of the lowly, the helpless, the violated, the underdog.

She was doing that when she traveled in haste to the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah and stayed with Elizabeth, presumably until John’s birth (Luke 1:39-45,56).  She embodies God’s words to Zion, “See, I am coming to dwell among you” (Zech 2:14).  The Virgin of Guadalupe, pregnant with Jesus, is a native girl, one of Juan Diego’s own people.

The meditation in Magnificat on Juan Diego’s memorial 3 days ago made that point.  Mary’s message of accompaniment, comfort, and healing are for the poor and simple touched by human miseries, like Juan Diego, like the conquered Aztecs and Toltecs, like most of the Mexican people.  No wonder her message resonates there and elsewhere.  They know they are Mary’s favorite children.

So are we when we place our simple, humble trust in her, invoking her on behalf of our very troubled world, as well as our infirm and sinful selves.  Zechariah promises that the Lord will possess Judah (2:16).  Thru our Mother’s intercession, may he also take possession of us.