Greetings on this the Optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Readings: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3; Mt 11:25-30
Notes: One man, in faith, through the Blessed Mother, in the power of Jesus, changed the world.
But the poor will inherit the earth, will delight in great prosperity (PS 37:11).
The first indigenous Saint of the American Continent.
Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.
Excerpt from the Canonization
“The Guadalupe Event”, as the Mexican Episcopate has pointed out, “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, purified them and gave them the definitive sense of salvation” (14 May 2002, No. 8). Consequently Guadalupe and Juan Diego have a deep ecclesial and missionary meaning and are a model of perfectly inculturated evangelization.
Happy Juan Diego, true and faithful man! We entrust to you our lay brothers and sisters so that, feeling the call to holiness, they may imbue every area of social life with the spirit of the Gospel. Bless families, strengthen spouses in their marriage, sustain the efforts of parents to give their children a Christian upbringing. Look with favour upon the pain of those who are suffering in body or in spirit, on those afflicted by poverty, loneliness, marginalization or ignorance. May all people, civic leaders and ordinary citizens, always act in accordance with the demands of justice and with respect for the dignity of each person, so that in this way peace may be reinforced.
Beloved Juan Diego, “the talking eagle”! Show us the way that leads to the “Dark Virgin” of Tepeyac, that she may receive us in the depths of her heart, for she is the loving, compassionate Mother who guides us to the true God. Amen.
Source: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/canonization-of-juan-diego/
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.
Reflection
God counted on Juan Diego to play a humble, yet huge role in bringing the Good News to the peoples of Mexico. Overcoming his own fear and the doubts of Bishop Juan de Zumarraga, Juan Diego cooperated with God’s grace in showing his people that the Good News of Jesus is for everyone. Pope John Paul II used the occasion of Juan Diego’s beatification to urge Mexican lay people to assume their responsibilities for passing on the Good News and witnessing to it.
Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-juan-diego/
First reading
No human being [should] boast before God.
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.
We are:
- Not wise by human standards
- not noble birth
- weak
- lowly
- despised
- count for nothing
It is in God:
- Due to him that you are in Christ Jesus.
- [Jesus is our] wisdom from God,
- As well as [our]:
- righteousness,
- sanctification,
- and redemption.
Responsorial Psalm
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.
Alleluia Verse
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Gospel Portion
At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 