Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! This feast is a bridge between the Old World and the New, and it resonates deeply with us Filipinos. O...
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! This feast is a bridge between the Old World and the New, and it resonates deeply with us Filipinos. Our reflection centers on three "M"s: Mother, Message, and Mission.
First, Mother. When Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego, her words were incredibly tender: "Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?" In the Gospel, we see Mary as a mother in action, traveling in haste to help her cousin Elizabeth. She is not a distant statue; she is a mother who travels, who visits, who comforts. Whatever worry you have today, hear her whisper to you: "Am I not here, I who am your Mother?"
Second, Message. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a miraculous message (codex) in itself. She appeared as an indigenous woman, wearing the clothes of the local people, showing that the Gospel is not foreign; it is for everyone. She brought Jesus to a people who felt abandoned. Her message is one of inculturation and dignity. God speaks your language. He understands your culture, your struggles, and your heart.
Third, Mission. Mary did not just visit Elizabeth to chat; she went on a mission of service and to bring Jesus (the Ark of the Covenant) to John the Baptist. Juan Diego was given a mission to build a church. We, too, have a mission. We cannot just keep our devotion to Mary inside this building. We must be like her—going "in haste" to help those in need, bringing the presence of Jesus to our workplaces and our families.
Let us stay close to our Mother, heed her message of love, and embrace our mission to bring Christ to the world.
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