RBWords

     The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not just one more feast of a particular "Our Lady of......" in the United States!  It easily "trumps" the celebration of the Immaculate Conception feast of four days ago and any other "Marian" feast in this country!!  (The Vietnamese Our Lady of Lavang is gaining ground, however!) The difference in attendance at Mass on those two days is quite noticeable to any pastor with any Latino parishioners, especially from Mexico!  A brief look at the famous "tilma" or cloak that is venerated in Mexico City shows the influence of the vision from the Book of Revelation.  Mary is depicted with "cosmic clothing" but is also pregnant.  It is her maternal care for all the poor and oppressed peoples of the world that is celebrated on this feast.

     Mary's moral and theological relationship to God is celebrated in the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  As our Lady of Guadalupe, however, her relationship to US is celebrated and with incredible devotion.  When I was a pastor in San Antonio, TX, the only other day that brought crowds like this feast day was Ash Wednesday!  There would be the very early morning serenade, Las Mananitas, followed by Mass and then chocolate and some kind of corn drink whose name I'm not sure of of (chumpalada?).  The Mass would often feature young children dressed in Aztec costume dancing down the aisle and two of them to portray St. Juan Diego and the Virgin Mary.  

     Coming, as it does, in Advent, we do have to make an effort in the midst of all this celebration to focus on the reason for Mary's fame.  She is to give birth to the savior.  That gives her a singular importance but that importance is meant to direct us to Jesus.  As we enjoy the celebration, we need to remember "the reason for the season."  I think Our Lady of Guadalupe would agree!   AMEN