IT'S THE SMALL THINGS
Four days ago, here in Mexico City, I took a visiting friend to La Villa de Guadalupe. We heard mass at the basilica, paid our respects to Our Lady of Guadalupe, gathered some religious articles to give away and share with friends, had ourselves (and our gifts) blessed and finally, lit some candles before we called it a day. Although I feel like I perhaps do not visit Our Lady of Guadalupe enough, and that I really should take advantage given its close proximity to me these days, I will grab every opportunity that arises to go, and take people along with me.
Like any holy place, stepping into the enclosed area evokes an energy so serene, calm and peaceful. Despite the chaos and the pandemonium happening in the outside streets, a wave of tranquility totally envelopes your very being. The energy is as positive as it is empowering and inspiring. Just being able to hear mass at Guadalupe, and to be there, is always a blessing in and of its own. But what I have come to realize is that with every visit of mine – I have been four times since 2021 – there is something new I discover and realize. And though the place does not change, what I take away from it, and its very impact on my being different each time. Perhaps it is part of the magic and the miracle of the place – truly, Nuestro Señora de Guadalupe truly knows what lies in each and every one of our hearts.
If you have been following this column, you would know that the past weeks for me on a personal note have been anything but rainbows and butterflies. This visit could not have come in a timelier manner. As my friend and I were lighting our candles – for friends, family and personal intentions – as I reached the last of my seven, a strong wind just happened to blow out all of the candles, as well as those surrounding them. To me, at that moment, it was a force of nature that I could not do anything about. In a split second, just as I was about to start re-lighting them, the flame on all seven just came back on. I got goose bumps, I will not lie. Those candles were anything but magic candles like the ones we blow out with all our might just to have the flame come back on. Heck, it took me a while to even get a lot of them lit up as they kept on going off.
At that moment, I realized it was a sign. A sign I did not know I was looking for at the time, but one that I truly needed. A reminder that I needed to cling on to faith, and accept the fact that while everything happens for a reason, and at moments we may seemingly feel lonely, that Mama Mary and our Lord is just in our midst – always.
I feel like I do not give enough credit to Our Lady of Guadalupe for all that she has done for me – these past few years, but as I look back, in my life. Before I even knew it, she was prominent, and every time I have come to her for an ask big or small, she has never failed me. I seek comfort knowing that I know she knows what is in my heart. And no matter how things pan out in our lives, that it does so with divine guidance.