12 December 2013 - bright as the sun

12 December 2013 - bright as the sun

“Juanito, the humblest of my children, know and understand that I am the ever virgin Mary, Mother of the true God through whom all things live."

Juanito has a heart that is like Mary's.  They both have hearts full of humility.  They are the type of heart that God delights to lift up.  They are hearts like his own heart which "emptied itself, taking the form of a slave."  Jesus himself, though God enfleshed, "humbled himself, becoming obedient to death".  Mary rejoices that God looks with favor on her lowliness.  And she in turn looks with favor on Juan.  His humility makes him a true child of his Heavenly Father, a true brother of Jesus, and true son of his Queen Mother.

Because he is humble Mary is able to use Juan to make known the blessings she wants to pour out upon the world.  She calls upon him "so that in it I can show and bestow my love, compassion, help, and protection to all who inhabit this land and to those others who love me, that they might call upon and confide in me."   The human response in the face of such a call is often fear or reluctance.  But humility opens us to the comfort that comes from being protected by God.

The angel Gabriel comforts Mary when he announces the plan God has for her.  He tells her to not be afraid and assures her that God is with her.  In turn, Mary comforts Juan when she tells him how she desires to use him to build the kingdom.

Do not let your heart be troubled, and let nothing upset you. Is it not I, your Mother, who is here? Are you not under my protection?
Mary and Juan both open themselves in turn to God's plan for them.  Both responses unlock countless blessings which the LORD desires for his people.  The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is given as a sign of God's desire to bless the humble with his love.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

It is precisely because Mary is the most humble of creatures that she is also exulted as "the highest honor of our race."  She invites her children to embrace her humility and to so be united in God's family by that bond.  If we do embrace it we will also share her glory with all the saints in heaven. 

“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.”