Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Scripture:
Zechariah 2:14-17
Luke 1:26-38
Reflection:
Why only be a Christian when you can be another Christ?
To be another Christ we have to give birth to Christ as Mary did. The spirituality of the Advent season serves as a Lamaze class for believers.
The Gospel (Luke 1:26-38) for this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a central lesson in the birthing class. The miracle of the annunciation is not merely an historical event. It is a message addressed to every woman who searches for her own dignity and to every man on a quest for the meaning of his humanity. Our completeness comes in discovering the birth of the inner Christ in the womb of our hearts.
At various times, whispering angels suggest that we are blessed beyond expectation. They encourage us to look within to see in our hearts a seed, an embryo, a fetus, or maybe even a small baby – but, to recognize God within. As with Mary, the task of our spiritual life is to feed, cloth and nurture the child so that we may mature into the fullness of Christ.
Fr. Joe Mitchell, CP is the director of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center in Louisville, Kentucky. See his website: http://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/