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December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (patron saint of North and South America) who appeared to Cuauhtlatohuac (baptized: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?
Back in the day, a brand name on clothing was discretely and neatly tucked away inside a garment, out of sight. 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 bare skin.
More telling, of course, is what image I'm willing to have
imprinted on my heart, the wellspring of my thoughts, words and deeds. Faith assures me that I'm made in the
image and likeness of our Creator. My
life’s work as a Christian is to curate the divine image in which I've been branded, shaped and molded.
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Others can easily read who crafted what I wear. Just as easily should they be able to 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. Today's Pause for Prayer was written by Danilo Mendoza Rugama, SJ at The Jesuit Post.
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*Mi Morenita…
you who took our flesh by appearing as a Native of the Americas,
you who heed the cry during our darkest of moments,
you who appeared accompanied with the signs of flowers
you who heed the cry during our darkest of moments,
you who appeared accompanied with the signs of flowers
and the singing of birds,
announcing yourself as the
mother of the Great Truth,
you who praise God through your dance,
you who brought not only a message,
you who praise God through your dance,
you who brought not only a message,
but The Message was in your womb,
My Merciful Mother…
thank you for being light in our darkest moments
and embracing us with your mantle of tenderness,
thank you for wanting to carry us in your heart,
where we can also hear and be close to the heart of your Son,
thank you for accompanying us as we labour in God’s vineyard
when you tells us as you told Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin:
"Am I not here, who am your Mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not the source of your joy?
Are you not in the hollow of my mandle,
in the crossing of my arms?
Do you need something more?
**Mi Madrecita Querida…
help us obtain from your Son,
the
grace to always put our gaze
where the dignity of our brothers and
sisters of this world
is being violated;
help us obtain from your Son,
help us obtain from your Son,
the grace
to become messengers of the Truth
when so many lies try to make us blind
to suffering,
help us so that our lives become a dance
help us so that our lives become a dance
that praises, reverences and serves God with our whole beings.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
*Morenita is a term of endearment for a dark skinned woman
** Madrecita Querida means "My dearest Mother"
MMMMMMMMM
This song is a lullaby (as beautiful as it is simple!)
sung in Juan Diego's native indigenous Nahuatl language:
Gently sleep, little Child.
Cry no more, for the angels are here.
Alleluia.
Cry no more, for the angels are here.
Alleluia.
Xicochi Conetzintle by Gaspar Fernandes (1566–1629)
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