REFLECTIONS TODAY
La Morenita (“the little dark-skinned Virgin”), who appeared to the humble Indian named Juan Diego in Tepeyac in 1531, is venerated as Our Lady of Guadalupe. She left behind her image miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s tilma (cloak), and graces are granted to those who invoke her name. She is venerated by millions in Mexico, in the whole of Latin America, and the entire world.
On Aug. 24, 1910, Pope Pius X proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe as Patroness of Latin America. By the apostolic letter Impositi Nobis of Sept. 12, 1942, Pope Pius XII, at the request of the bishops in the Philippines, declared the Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception as Principal Patroness of the Philippines. But a papal bull issued by Pope Pius IX on July 16, 1935 already defined and declared that the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Guadalupe, is before God “The Celestial Patroness of the Philippine Islands.” We therefore have as Principal Patroness the Blessed Virgin Mary under these two titles.
La Morenita once told Juan Diego who avoided her for not being able to fulfill her direction, “Am I not here, I who am your mother?” It shows her special watch over her children, especially the poor, the humble natives, and the ordinary people.
First Reading • Zec 2:14-17 [or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab]
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
The Lord will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem. Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the Lord! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
Gospel • Luke 1:26-38 [or 1:39-47]
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
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. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.