Location: St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church
Dear friends; today, as we reflect on our devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us remember her extraordinary mission. When she appeared to St. Juan Diego, she gave him a purpose: to make known her deep desire for her little house to be built, where she would offer her Son to all the people – with all her love, her compassionate gaze and her help, her salvation. Just as she chose Juan Diego, she also calls each of us to be her messengers. In the process, she wants her little house to be built in our hearts. She asks us to share her message of hope, compassion, and love, especially in this season of Advent.
Advent reminds us of the three comings of Jesus. First, He came to us as a child, born of the Virgin Mary, in the humblest of circumstances.
Second, He comes into our hearts every day if we invite Him in through prayer, love, and service. Finally, He will come again at the end of time to bring justice and peace. Our Lady of Guadalupe points us toward each of these comings, urging us to prepare our hearts, just as she asked Juan Diego to prepare a place for her to make her Son known.
The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe connects beautifully to today’s readings. From Jeremiah, we hear the promise of restoration and justice: “The Lord is our righteousness.” Mary, clothed with the sun and crowned with stars, embodies this promise. She carries Jesus, our Savior, who brings light to the darkness and hope to the downtrodden.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, calls us to holiness through love.
True devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe means living her message – sharing love with all, especially the poor and marginalized, just as she cared for Juan Diego and the different people who would live as one in this land. Her presence transformed the people at that time and place, and her message can transform our hearts and communities today.
Finally, the Gospel reminds us to “stay awake and pray.” Advent is a time of vigilance, not fear. Just as Our Lady called Juan Diego to action, she calls us to prepare the way for Jesus by bringing His light into the world; by building her a little home in our hearts, so she may give birth to the light of the world.
Pope Francis reminds us of Mary’s message, “that, in order to work marvelous deeds, the Lord has no need of grand means and our lofty abilities, but rather of our humility, of our eyes open to him, and also open to others. With this annunciation, within the poor walls of a small house, God changed history. Today too, he wants to do great things with us in our daily lives: that is, in our families, at work, in everyday environments.”
So, let us take up this mission with joy. Let us be ambassadors of Our Lady of Guadalupe, proclaiming her message of love and hope. Lift your hearts, for Jesus is near, and Mary walks with us.
