BLESSED ARE THEY WHO BELIEVE
In the optional
Gospel of Luke today, Mary didn't understand, but she trusted the messenger of
the Lord and responded, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be
done to me according to your word."
I'd like to begin
with a quote from an ancient chronicle: Mary's words to Juan Diego, "My
dearest son, I am the eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, Author of
Life, Creator of all and Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth... and it is my
desire that a church be built here in this place for me, where, as your most
merciful Mother and that of all your people, I may show my loving clemency and
the compassion that I bear to the Indians, and to those who love and seek
me..."
This feast in honor
of Our Lady of Guadalupe goes back to the sixteenth century, and chronicles
from that period tell us the story. Our Blessed Mother appeared to an
indigenous Mexican boy named Juan Diego and instructed him to tell the bishop
to build on that site a shrine in her honor. Juan Diego, understandably, did
not think the bishop would believe him, and he of course was right. He asked
the Blessed Mother to send another messenger, but Mary insisted he go back to
the bishop. However, the bishop insisted on a sign of proof. Mary appeared to
Juan Diego again and reassured him about his uncle's health. She told him to
gather flowers at the top of the hill and take them to the bishop. He obeyed
and when he opened his tilma to show the roses to the bishop, there was a
beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The bishop believed and the Shrine
of Our Lady of Guadalupe was constructed at his order and is still a site of
great devotion to our Mother Mary.
As we reflect upon
this story, what do you think is most significant? It is the faith of both Juan
Diego and the bishop. Today's Gospel tells the story of Mary's own faith in
God's loving power at work in her. In the optional Gospel of Luke today, Mary
didn't understand, but she trusted the messenger of the Lord and responded,
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to
your word." What courage! What faith! What a role model for us all! At the end of Luke's Gospel we hear Mary's
prayer, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices
in God my Savior."