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Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Luke 1:30–31
Today we celebrate five successive apparitions of our Blessed
Mother to Juan Diego, who was an Indian convert to the faith. Early
in the morning of December 9, 1531, Juan was traveling to the town
of Tlatelolco where he intended to attend a catechism class and the
holy Mass. However, on his way, as he passed by the Tepeyac Hill,
he was gifted by the vision of a bright light and heavenly music.
As he gazed upward with wonder and awe, he heard a beautiful voice
calling him. As he moved toward the voice, he saw the glorious
Mother of God standing in youthful appearance in heavenly splendor.
She said to him, “I am your merciful Mother…” She further revealed
to him that she wanted a church built on that spot and that Juan
was to go and tell this to the Bishop of Mexico City.
Juan did as our Lady asked, but the bishop was reluctant to
believe. But once again, the Mother of God appeared to Juan and
asked him to return to the bishop with her request. This time the
bishop asked for a sign, and Juan reported this to the Mother of
God. She said a sign would be provided, but Juan was prevented from
receiving that sign, since he needed to attend to his sick
uncle.
However, after two days, on December 12, 1531, Juan was once again
traveling to the church in Tlatelolco to ask the priest to come and
attend to his dying uncle. But this time Juan had taken a different
route so as to avoid delay from his heavenly visitor. But this time
our Blessed Mother came to him and said, “It is well, littlest and
dearest of my sons, but now listen to me. Do not let anything
afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here who
am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you
not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Do
not fear, for your uncle is not going to die. Be assured…he is
already well.”
As soon as Juan heard this from his heavenly visitor, he was
overjoyed and asked for a sign to give to the bishop. The Mother of
God directed him to the top of the hill where he would find many
flowers that were in bloom completely out of season. Juan did as
she said, and upon finding the flowers, he cut them and filled his
outer cloak, his tilma, with them so he could bring them to the
bishop as the sign requested.
Juan then made his way back to Bishop Fray Juan de Zumarraga, the
Bishop of Mexico City, to present him with the flowers. To the
surprise of all, as he opened his tilma to pour forth the flowers,
there appeared on his tilma the image of the very woman who had
appeared to him. The image was not painted; rather, every thread of
this simple and coarse cloak had changed color to create the
beautiful image. That same day, our Blessed Mother had also
appeared to Juan’s uncle and miraculously cured him.
Though these miraculous events have become embedded into the fabric
of Mexican culture, the message is far more than cultural in
significance. “I am your merciful mother,” she said! It is our
Blessed Mother’s deepest desire that all of us come to know her as
our mother. She wants to walk with us through the joys and sorrows
of life as any loving mother would. She wants to teach us, lead us
and reveal to us the merciful love of her divine Son.
Reflect, today, upon the miraculous actions of the Mother of God.
But reflect, especially, upon her motherly love. Her love is a pure
mercy, a gift of the deepest care and compassion. Her only desire
is our holiness. Speak to her this day and invite her to come to
you as your merciful mother.
My most merciful mother, I love you and invite you to pour forth
upon me your love. I turn to you, this day, in my need, and I trust
that you will bring me the abundant grace of your Son, Jesus.
Mother Mary, O Virgin of Guadalupe, pray for us who turn to you in
our need. Saint Juan Diego, pray for us. Jesus, I trust
in You.
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Featured image above: Our Lady of Guadalupe, via Wikimedia
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