December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (patron saint of North and South America) who appeared to Juan Diego, a Mexican peasant, on whose tilma (cloak) there appeared an image on the Blessed Virgin as he had seen her in the vision. Read more of Juan Diego's story here.
Designer Faith?
Remember when a designer’s name and logo were discretely and
neatly tucked away inside the shirt, pants or jacket we wore? Then it became fashionable to sport a
little alligator or polo player right there for everyone to see - and that began a flood of brand name logos.
Well, Saint Juan Diego was a man more than 5 centuries ahead of
his time! Or perhaps we should more
directly and correctly credit Our Lady of Guadalupe for imprinting her designer
image on Juan’s tilma (cloak). Today we can purchase t-shirts bearing just
what appeared on Juan’s holy cloak - or even have it tattooed on our back or
shoulder.
More telling, of course, is what image I'm willing to have
imprinted on my heart, the wellspring of my thoughts and words and deeds. Faith assures me that I'm made in the
image and likeness of our Creator. My
life’s work is to curate the divine image in which I've been shaped and molded.
Others can easily read who crafted what I wear. So should
they easily see, in my speech and deeds, the word and will of the Designer who called me into being, whose grace seeks to clothe my soul and style my life with the
Gospel’s truth.
In prayer today, let's look to see how clearly Our Lady of Guadalupe’s
beauty, purity and graciousness design and mark our hearts, letting the
world see her Son’s image and blessing imprinted our lives.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe by Archbishop Jose Gomez
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas,
We come to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another
and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus
to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate Mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
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