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| “Our Lady of Guadalupe” detail photograph of the tilma of Juan Diego |
Outside the Americas this Feast is an optional memorial and Saturday of the Second Week of Advent may be celebrated.
Commentary:
Reading 1: Zechariah 2:14-17
Commentary on Zec 2:14-17
This selection from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah is seen as predicting the coming of the Messiah. It provides a rather unique glimpse at the messianic expectation: He comes to unify and bring security to the faithful. This passage also demonstrates the “true man, true God” essence of the Lord by first saying, “I am coming to dwell among you,” followed by, “Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the Lord! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.”
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Commentary on Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Here we are given the passage from John’s Book of Revelation that provides a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is Queen of Heaven. In the passage, the eschatological symbolism shows Mary giving birth to her son, Jesus. It also depicts Satan who, knowing the nature of the Lord, puts forces in motion to destroy the child. This portrayal, with images taken from Genesis and symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel, shows the Christ being born of Mary and recalls her flight to Egypt. The dragon (which is the first one to be depicted) represents the secular governments at the time – Herod and Rome. The final verse of the passage proclaims Jesus as the Christ, “his Anointed One.”
CCC: Rv 12 1138
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Responsorial Psalm: Judith 13:18bcde, 19
R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.
Commentary on Judith 13:18bcde, 19
This short hymn of praise from Judith (who at the time of its writing represented the faithful people) is predictive of the blessed role Mary will play in human salvation. In the story immediately preceding these verses Judith offers to sacrifice herself for salvation of the people and is here found praiseworthy for her willingness to do so.
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Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Commentary on Lk 1:26-38
This passage from St. Luke’s Gospel is the story of Mary being informed by the Archangel Gabriel that she has been chosen for the great privilege of bearing the Savior of the World. St. Mary graciously accepts this honor, although with very human fear indicating that her free will is at play. This response makes her obedience to God’s will more powerful. It is proposed that, with this acceptance, Mary entered into a vow of perpetual virginity because of the demands of Isaiah 7:14 : “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel."
In St. Luke’s story of the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel comes to Mary and tells her she will bear a son and names him Jesus (the eternal implication of this statement is made clear in the greeting which presupposes knowledge of Mary’s entire existence). Mary confirms the title “Virgin” given by the author as she questions Gabriel saying: “How can this be, since I have not relations with a man?” Even though she does not understand, Mary accepts her role and is told that the Holy Spirit will be the agent of the life within her. She then utters those amazing words: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
This announcement is parallel to Zechariah’s news about John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-23), which is also delivered by the Angel Gabriel. This passage clearly identifies Jesus as Son of David and Son of God, thus linking it with the messianic predictions from the Old Testament.
CCC: Lk 1:26-38 497, 706, 723, 2571; Lk 1:26-27 488; Lk 1:26 332; Lk 1:28-37 494; Lk 1:28 490, 491; Lk 1:31 430, 2812; Lk 1:32-33 709; Lk 1:32 559; Lk 1:34 484, 497, 505; Lk 1:35 437, 484, 486, 697; Lk 1:37-38 494; Lk 1:37 148, 269, 273, 276; Lk 1:38 64, 148, 510, 2617, 2677, 2827, 2856
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OR: Luke 1:39-47
Commentary on Lk 1:39-47
The story of Mary’s meeting with Elizabeth following the annunciation by Gabriel that she would carry the Son of God proclaims the coming of the Lord and the faith of Mary before the nativity event. We note that Elizabeth is first to identify Jesus as Lord as she says:” …how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She not only professes the identity of the infant but foreshadows Mary’s leadership standing, elevating the stature of her much younger cousin with reverence. Elizabeth continues her praise of Mary by establishing that her (Mary’s) faith had allowed her to accept the incredible role God had offered her.
In response, we hear Mary’s humility as she begins with the opening verse of the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
CCC: Lk 1:41 523, 717, 2676; Lk 1:43 448, 495, 2677; Lk 1:45 148, 2676; Lk 1:46-55 722, 2619, 2675; Lk 1:46-49 2097
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Reflection:
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe gives us the opportunity once more to prayerfully consider the role of Mary, the Mother of God, in Christ, her Son’s, mission. We recall the story of how she appeared to Juan Diego as he reached the base of the hill known as Tepeyac that first time. We see in her the apostolate to which we are all called. She points steadfastly at her Son, infusing those who hear her voice with the love of God.
One of the more striking facts about the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is that she is pregnant in the image. She, who is filled with grace, is depicted carrying our Lord in her womb. Like those of us who are faith filled, she contains Christ and will bring him to the world. We are called to do the same.
In this Advent season, when scripture so urgently points us to the Kingdom of God, the kingdom to come (“Thy kingdom come”), the first saint, the Queen of Heaven, points the way to that end. She is not only the herald of things to come, but provides us with an attitude of humility and obedience to God’s will that opens the door to our own possibilities as servants of Christ.
In the second Gospel option, we hear Mary respond to the praise of Elizabeth who says what we feel: “Mary you are so full of grace, so exalted among all humanity. How can we even come to you?” And how does the Mother of God respond as her elder holds her up and places her above all humanity? She begins with an abject and profound statement of love and faith in God. She fairly sings her tremendous love for Him “My soul proclaims (Magnifies) the greatness of the Lord” Her very being is dedicated to the Father: “My spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
She refuses the crown on earth, but instead professes her obedience to the one God and to His will; that she will be the vessel of His greatest gift. Perhaps it is because she was free from original sin that she could so perfectly respond to God and later to her cousin. Whatever the reason, she is the model of faith to which we all subscribe and attempt to emulate. We thank God for placing her active witness among us, a constant reminder of the great love Her Son has for us. She faithfully points us to the Advent of our Lord, and we pray our response to Him when he comes again will be as faithful as the one we see in His Mother
Pax.
[1] The picture used today is “Our Lady of Guadalupe” detail photograph of the tilma of Juan Diego
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