December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe

You are the highest honor of our race.-- Judith 15:9

Mass readings: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6,10 /Luke 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

God Recognizes His People

In December 1531, Juan Diego, a peasant native of ''New Spain,'' saw a vision of a woman. Like the image in Revelation, this woman was pregnant and appeared in a brilliant light. As a sign of her presence, she left behind her image on Juan's tilma.

Mary's appearance to Juan Diego, like her visitation to Elizabeth, was a momentous event. Over the centuries Our Lady of Guadalupe has become a sign of God's recognition of the natives of Mexico. At times we might think we are unimportant. Life in general, people more specifically, put us down and we feel no one cares. But Mary's appearance to St. Juan, and the image she left behind, assures us that God loves us deeply. Can there be any greater recognition of humanity than the Incarnation, the feast we await?

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the gift of Mary and the way You recognize us.