Celebrating Juan Diego and Divine Promises

Greetings on this the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Readings: ZEC 2:14-17; JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19; alt Lk 1:39-47

Summary

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice:

Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

Reflection

A beautiful Franciscan Reflection on Our Lady and Juan Diego is here: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Life is a pilgrimage into an unknown future. But not all things are unknown. We know the love of our families, the friendship of community and the certainty of the divine promises. We are given to act rationally, prudently and with wisdom. And we are to embrace the divine wisdom of unconditional love. Believe, Bless and Rejoice.

Elizabeth and Juan Diego share a very important role. They are the Amen to the promise. A blessings (benediction) is sealed (made complete) by the Amen of the hearer (as the final witness to the benediction). Elizabeth unlocks the blessing of Mary by proclaiming in a loud voice. Juan Diego opened his tilma in the bishop’s presence, the roses fell to the ground, and the bishop sank to his knees. On the tilma where the roses had been appeared an image of Mary exactly as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac.

• It is then that Mary proclaims the Magnificat.
• It is then the bishop reorders the Church for the indigenous and The Virgin of Guadalupe.

Your Amen, all your Amen’s, in every prayer are the sealing effects of believing becomes blessing becomes rejoicing.

Personal Reflection

Never underestimate your importance in sealing – Amen-ing – the blessings of the Lord. Elizabeth, Juan Diego and you all have the capacity to believe, bless and rejoice!

• Short Story: Terror of the Night: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/a-short-story-terror-of-the-night.pdf
• Memories from Pilgrimage is 2022: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/01/16/pilgrimage-basilica-de-nuestra-senora-de-guadalupe-photos/

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121224.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry