Every morning this Advent, after the Liturgy of Hours, I've read a few pages of the new bestseller Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love by Carl Anderson and Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, postulator of the Cause of Saint Juan Diego. In recent years our family has familiarized itself with the story of humble Juan Diego and the miracle of Mary's image on his tilma. I've also learned in bits and pieces about the remarkable symbols in Our Lady's gown and mantle, the reflections in her eyes, and the miraculous survival of the original tilma.
However with the publication of Supreme Knight Anderson and Fr. Chavez's new book these initial facts along with dozens of other stories and symbols and the reprinting of original documents combine to bring Saint Juan Diego's and Our Lady of Guadalupe's stories into a more clear and beautiful focus.
One of recurring themes in the book is Our Lady's message of the dignity of all human life as in the section titled: "Humanity Renewed." When Mary proved her presence as a mother through a common man living at the bottom of society's ladder she demonstrated for the Indians and Spanish alike the humanity of and unique purpose for each human person. This is one reason for her title Protectress of the Unborn.
There is a further dimension to her mothering of the weak that I had not noticed before. As Catholics delving deeper into this mystery of the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death, the story of Juan Diego helps us see that while we defend the dignity of the unborn, we nevertheless sometimes take a more utilitarian view of ourselves and our mission.
Saint Juan Diego helps to remind us during Advent, in many ways, that we just are--made in the image of God. The humble saint's declaration, 'Because I am really just a man from the country, I'm the porter's rope, I'm a back frame, just a tail, a wing; I myself need to be led, carried on someone's back,' is lovingly answered by the Virgin's confidence in the humanity and purpose of the Indian messenger: 'Listen my youngest son, know for sure that I have no lack of servants, of messengers, to whom I can give the task of carrying my breath, my word, so that they carry out my will; but it is necessary that you, personally go and plead, that by your intercession, my wish, my will, become a reality.' In other words he isn't there simply to carry out a job that anyone else could just as easily finish, he is to fulfill his part in the plan of God for a Culture of Life.
Saint Juan Diego comes in the midst of Advent in part to remind us to trust in Our Lady's promise, that we all are present in this world, not just as "instrument[s] of being only, 'one of the people,' ...identif[ied] by how [we] function" but as divinely inspired creations of our Father who is profoundly interested in each of us, including the most despised and rejected ones in our communities.
This is just one of hundreds of little gifts tucked inside this big package. Page after page will find you unwrapping a beautiful thought, an astonishing symbol, a miracle.
Comments