Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Madre Ssma. de Guadalupe

Zec 2:14-17 Rejoice! I'm coming to dwell among you. Many shall join themselves to the Lord and be his people. Silence! The Lord stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab Signs: woman clothed with the sun, moon under her feet, with crown of stars, laboring to give birth. Red dragon standing before her to devour the child. She bore a son destined to rule the nations. He was caught up to God; she fled. “Salvation, power, God's Kingdom, the Anointed's authority have come.”

Jdt 13:18bcde, 19 "You're the highest honor of our race." Blessed are you, daughter, above all women, and blessed be Creator God. Those who tell God's might won't forget your deed of hope.

Lk 1:26-38 Gabriel / Mary: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. Don't be afraid; you'll bear a son and name him Jesus; he'll be called Son of the Most High. God will give him David's throne; he'll rule forever.” “How?” “The Holy Spirit and God's power. The child will be God's Son. 'Barren' Elizabeth has also conceived; nothing is impossible for God.” “I'm the Lord's handmaid; may it be done.”

Lk 1:39-47 Mary traveled to Zechariah's house. When Elizabeth heard Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, Spirit-filled, cried, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. How can my Lord's mother come to me? When I heard you, my son leaped. Blessed are you who believed what God told you.” Mary: “My soul proclaims God's greatness.”

Reflect

One Bread One Body: The black sash at the center of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a sign Mary was pregnant. Jesus, who was in Mary, did and does miracles through her. Accept God's grace to be like her, filled with Jesus, visiting Elizabeths and Johns. Christ in us is our Hope of glory. As we're conscious of Jesus living in us, he'll work miracles through us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, may we be like you, letting Jesus in us transform the world.

Passionist: The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the first Mary apparition officially deemed to have characteristics worthy of pious belief (Mary Through the Centuries/ Pelikan). Its miracle is the transformation it evoked in Mexico and Latino culture. She restored dignity, humanity, and hope, lifting up the lowly. The annunciation (today's gospel) is not merely a historical event; it's addressed to everyone searching for dignity and meaning. Our completeness comes in discovering Christ in the womb of our hearts. Angels suggest we are blessed and encourage us to look for God within. We are to nurture the child so we may mature into the fullness of Christ.

DailyScripture.net: God’s kingdom is available to those receptive to God's word; through obedience they receive wisdom and peace for themselves and become a blessing to their children. Jesus warns his contemporaries to heed God's word before it's too late. The parable (echoing Qo 3:4) about disappointed musicians and their stubborn friends challenges us to ask how our hearing and actions are selective. Jesus' Kingdom message proclaims joy and hope for those who heed it. Why did John's and Jesus' messages fall on deaf ears? Jealous and blind scribes and Pharisees closed their hearts, attributing John's austerities to the devil and Jesus' table fellowship as evidence for pretending to be Messiah. Indifference dulls us to God's voice and the Gospel; only the humble find joy and favor in God's sight.

Our Lady of Guadalupe: On 9 Dec. 1531, Mary appeared to Indian convert Juan Diego and left a picture of herself impressed on his cloak; see Catholic Encyclopedia.