Daily Reflection Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

 In reflecting on Our Lady of Guadalupe, we find a beautiful intersection of faith, culture, spirituality, and miraculous phenomenon. In my early twenties I had the privilege of living and working in a vibrant and diverse parish just outside of Los Angeles. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was truly a memorable one. The community would gather at 5:00 AM to sing Las Mañanitas. They would come out in remarkable numbers, the young and old alike. The most memorable participants were the little toddler boys dressed up as Juan Diego. It was this celebration with Mass, mariachis, pan dulce, and hot chocolate that made me realize that Mary is a true force of unity in our Church. Mary brought all these people out of their homes on an early December morning. She is this force of unity in so many different cultures, all over the world, taking on the culture that she appears in. Mary brings people together under her mantle of motherly protection. Mary, our model, shows us the path of discipleship and meets humanity in an intimate and relatable way as she too was human, yet set apart for a Divine purpose. If Mary were appear to us here today, in suburban New Jersey, what would she be like?

The scripture of the day presents a striking vision: a woman clothed with the sun, crowned with stars, standing on the moon. This imagery resonates deeply with the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531, Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Indigenous man, adorned in symbols that spoke directly to his cultural identity—her mantle bearing the stars of heaven, her stance atop the crescent moon, and her robe’s vibrant colors evoking the beauty of creation. Her image communicated a powerful message: God’s love transcends boundaries, meeting people where they are and inviting them into His redemptive plan.

Our Lady of Guadalupe offers a profound model for contemplative action. She exemplifies humility, compassion, and courage, inviting us to embrace a faith that engages the world and brings healing and justice to the marginalized. Her comforting presence and message of unity mirror the Ignatian call to discern God’s will and act with love and courage.  May we, like her, bring Christ’s light to a world in need of hope.

I’ve included an image below that unpacks the various miraculous and remarkable aspects of the Tilma and the deep meaning each detail holds. Analyzing this image, truly shows that God is intentional, down to the very last fiber and pigment.