Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 1:39-47
December 12, 2023 |Tuesday
Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior!
Today’s Reflection:
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a popular Marian title and devotion in the Philippines. Aptly, today’s gospel is about the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth as if to echo her miraculous apparition and visitation of her children in Mexico. It should be noted that when Mary visited Elizabeth, she was already pregnant with Jesus. In Guadalupe, she also appeared as a young pregnant woman carrying Jesus in her womb as symbolized by the black ribbon near her waist. The Virgin did not bring any apocalyptic messages or warnings. Instead, she appeared to Juan Diego to assure him that he has a mother in her, a mother who covers him with her mantle of protection and love. But more importantly, just as Elizabeth greeted Mary as the mother of her Lord, so the Virgin introduced herself to Juan Diego as the mother of God and mother of all humanity. Let us reflect on this marvelous reality, the mother of God is also our mother, the mother of all believers, the mother of the Church. May she always lead us to her son who is our salvation. / Vulnerasti, 2023
