Dec 12 – Memorial for Our Lady of Guadalupe
Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town which grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady. It is taken as representing the Immaculate Conception, being the lone figure of a woman with the sun, moon, and star accompaniments of the great apocalyptic sign with a supporting angel under the crescent. The word is Spanish Arabic, but in Mexico, it may represent certain Aztec sounds.
Its tradition is long-standing and constant, and in sources both oral and written, Indian and Spanish, the account is unwavering. The Blessed Virgin appeared on Saturday, 9 December 1531 to a 55-year-old neophyte named Juan Diego, who was hurrying down Tepeyac Hill to hear Mass in Mexico City. She sent him to Bishop Zumarraga to have a temple built where she stood. She was at the same place that evening and Sunday evening to get the bishop’s answer.
The bishop did not immediately believe the messenger, had him cross-examined and watched, and he finally told him to ask the lady who said she was the mother of the true God for a sign. The neophyte agreed readily to ask for the sign desired, and the bishop released him.
Juan was occupied all Monday with Bernardino, an uncle who was dying of fever. Indian medicine had failed and Bernardino seemed at death’s door. At daybreak on Tuesday 12 December 1531, Juan ran to nearby St. James’ convent to ask for a priest. To avoid the apparition and the untimely message to the bishop, he slipped round where the well chapel now stands. But the Blessed Virgin crossed down to meet him and said, “What road is this thou takest son?”
A tender dialogue ensued. She reassured Juan about his uncle, to whom she also briefly appeared and instantly cured. Calling herself “Holy Mary of Guadalupe”, she told Juan to return to the bishop. He asked for the sign he required. Mary told him to go to the rocks and gather roses. Juan knew it was neither the time nor the place for roses, but he went and found them. Gathering many into the lap of his tilma (a long cloak or wrapper used by Mexican Indians), he came back. The Holy Mother rearranged the roses, and told him to keep them untouched and unseen until he reached the bishop.
When Juan met with Zumarraga, Juan offered the sign to the bishop. As he unfolded his cloak, the roses, fresh and wet with dew, fell out. Juan was startled to see the bishop and his attendants kneeling before him. The life-size figure of the Virgin Mary, just as Juan had described her, was glowing on the tilma. The picture was venerated, guarded in the bishop’s chapel, and soon after, carried in procession to the preliminary shrine.
Painters have not understood the laying on of the colours. They have deposed that the ‘canvas’ was not only unfit but unprepared, and they have marvelled at the apparent oil, water, distemper, etc. colouring in the same figure. They are left in equal admiration for the flower-like tints and the abundant gold. They and other artists find the proportions perfect for a maiden of fifteen. The figure and the attitude are of one advancing. There is flight and rest in the eager, supporting angel. The chief colours are deep gold in the rays and stars, blue green in the mantle, and rose in the flowered tunic.
The clergy, secular and regular, have been remarkably faithful to the devotion towards Our Lady of Guadalupe, the bishops fostering it, even to the extent of making a protestation of faith in the miracle a matter of occasional obligation. Pope Benedict XIV decreed that Our Lady of Guadalupe should be the national patron, and made 12 December a holiday of obligation with an octave, and ordered a special Mass and Office.
- Patron Saint Index
Isa 41:13-20
Mt 11:11-15
“I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.”
Today’s readings are very interesting. At first glance, they don’t seem to be related in theme. In the Gospel reading, Jesus spoke about John the Baptist — that there is no greater man born of a woman, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Then Jesus switches focus, and what he says seems a little ominous. He said, “up to the present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm”. I must admit that there are times when it is difficult for me to understand what Jesus really means, until someone (a Bible scholar or official Catholic writings) put it into context; which helps explain the meaning of His Words.
There are two things that I want to reflect on today. The first is that even though John the Baptist is considered “as none greater than he” by our Lord, yet the least in heaven is still greater than him. Jesus is not putting John the Baptist down. In fact, he is praising John, saying he is the greatest; and at the same time, Jesus is painting a beautiful picture for us about heaven, where even the least will be great. The premise is that we make it to heaven.
The next point I want to focus on is the violence that Jesus speaks of. If you know our Lord, He is never violent — He is peaceful, but never a doormat. He has righteous anger, like when He overturns the tables of the money changers and merchants defiling the temple, the dwelling place of God. I believe that Jesus is speaking of the spiritual battle that we all face if we want to make it to heaven. We do not gain entrance by being complacent. Make no mistake, the spiritual battle is real. The ones who are ‘violent’ are the ones vigorously fighting against the enemies of the soul. When speaking of the enemies of the soul, we refer to the world, the flesh, and the devil. In this battle, we can’t play nice; we need to fight with all our might. Tools recommended are prayers, Scripture, fasting and self-denial. Prayers and scripture readings to fortify ourselves with the Truth, help us to see through the lies the world tries to sell us and the lies the devil tries to deceive us. Fasting and self-denial to battle the unbridled desires of the flesh. The good news is that we are not alone. God is on our side, “holding us by the right hand, telling us, ‘do not be afraid, I will help you.’”
Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you are reading this, I am confident that you want to go the heaven as much as I do. Then as Christians, let’s do battle and rage violence against the enemies of our souls and not give them any quarter. When we get to heaven, even though we are the least, we can become great.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: My most loving and victorious Lord, You have conquered sin and death for us. We humbly ask you to strengthen us in the battle for our souls. Fortify us in Your Truth, hide us in Your wounds, and protect us in Your mercy.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us, Jesus, to teach us Your way. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us. In the battle for our souls and eternal lives, thank you for the sanctifying gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God).
OXYGEN 
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