Greetings on this the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Readings: ZEC 2:14-17; JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19; LK 1:26-38
Notes: The praise of Judith is a prefiguring of the work and praises of the Blessed Mother.
- Judith Beheads Holofernes.
- Judith and Her Maid Return to Bethulia.
- Judith Displays the Head of Holofernes.
All the people were greatly astonished. They bowed down and worshiped God, saying with one accord, “Blessed are you, our God, who today have humiliated the enemies of your people.” Then Uzziah said to her, “Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the leader of our enemies. Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who recall the might of God. May God make this redound to your everlasting honor, rewarding you with blessings, because you risked your life when our people were being oppressed, and you averted our disaster, walking in the straight path before our God.” And all the people answered, “Amen! Amen! (Jud 13:17-20).
Reflection
Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego as one of his people is a powerful reminder that Mary—and the God who sent her—accept all peoples. In the context of the sometimes rude and cruel treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards, the apparition was a rebuke to the Spaniards and an event of vast significance for the indigenous population. While a number of them had converted before this incident, they now came in droves. According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million Indians became Catholic in a very short time. In these days when we hear so much about God’s preferential option for the poor, Our Lady of Guadalupe cries out to us that God’s love for and identification with the poor is an age-old truth that stems from the Gospel itself.
Franciscanmedia: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-guadalupe/
First reading
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm
You are the highest honor of our race.
Alleluia Verse
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.
Gospel Portion
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed (LK 1:48).
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 