Readings: Zechariah 2:14-17 or
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab / Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47
Reflection
December 12, 1531. Juan Diego is
avoiding Tepeyac Hill because his uncle is dying and he doesn't have time for
holy visions. But Mary finds him anyway. "Where are you going, my
son?" she asks. Then she speaks words that echo through centuries: "Am
I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the
crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more?" Juan Diego thought he'd
failed. Running from God because life was falling apart. Mary stops him with
the question that changes everything: Am I not HERE? Not just there on the
hill. Here. With you. In your crisis. In your failure. In your fear. She sends
him to gather roses blooming in December on barren ground, Castilian roses that
don't grow in Mexico. When he opens his tilma before the bishop, roses fall out
and there on the rough cactus-fibre cloth is her image, a miraculous portrait
that should have decayed after 20 years but remains perfect nearly 500 years
later.
The image speaks in symbols that the
indigenous people understood. Her clothing contains Aztec designs. The flower
over her womb represents the highest god, showing the true God dwells within
her. Stars on her mantle match the exact constellation over Mexico that
December. She's pregnant, bringing new life. She stands on the moon, victorious
over the moon goddess who demanded human sacrifice. Every detail proclaims: God
is with you. God looks like you. God speaks your language. God values your
life. No more blood sacrifice, God already gave His blood for you. Within six
years, nine million indigenous people came to faith. Not through conquest or
coercion, but through encounter with a Mother who saw them, loved them, told
them they mattered. The brutalised, the conquered, the forgotten, suddenly had
dignity, worth, eternal value because Mary came to tell them: You are children
of God.
Zechariah prophesied, "Sing and
rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you." Revelation
shows "a woman clothed with the sun." Our Lady of Guadalupe fulfils
both: God dwelling among His people, the woman conquering darkness with light.
The Aztecs believed blood sacrifice kept the world from collapsing. Mary came
with news: the sacrifice is finished. You are precious. You are loved. Not
because of what you do, but because of who you are. "Am I not here, I, who
am your mother?" That question is for you today. You're running from
something. You think you've failed. You believe you don't have time for God
because real life is pressing in. But Mary is HERE. Under her mantle. In the
crossing of her arms. Safe. Held. Protected. The roses are blooming on your
barren hills, too. The impossible is possible. The broken can be healed. The
lost can be found.
Franciscan
Reflection
Francis had special devotion to Mary,
calling his beloved Portiuncula "St. Mary of the Angels." He knew
where Mary is present, Jesus is not far behind. Like Juan Diego, Francis was
called from his own plans, merchant's son to a poor beggar, knight to a servant of
lepers. He could have run from God's call, but instead ran toward it, trusting that God's impossible requests always come with impossible grace. Francis taught his
brothers to greet everyone with "The Lord give you peace", the same
peace Mary brought to Juan Diego, the same peace she brings you today. Juan
Diego's rough tilma became the canvas for a miracle. What rough part of your
life could God use today?
For
Your Reflection
Take your time with these questions.
See which ones resonate with you.
About Running:
- Where are you running from God because you think
you've failed or don't have time?
- What "real problems" have you
prioritised over the presence Mary offers?
- When have you felt too broken or busy for God's
comfort?
About Mary's Questions:
- "Am I not here?" Do you believe God is
present in your chaos, or only when things are under control?
- "Are you not under my shadow and
protection?" Where do you feel unprotected, unsafe, and alone?
- "Do you need anything more?" What if
God's presence really is enough? What would change?
About the Image:
- The image spoke to indigenous people in their own
symbolic language. How does God speak your language?
- What details of God's love have you missed because
you expected it to look different?
- Juan Diego's rough tilma became the canvas for a
miracle. What "rough" part of your life could God use?
About Dignity:
- The Aztecs believed blood sacrifice was necessary.
What are you sacrificing to feel worthy?
- Our Lady of Guadalupe told a conquered people they
had dignity as children of God. Do you believe that about yourself?
- What do you need to hear: "You matter. You're
seen. You're loved. Just as you are"?
Praying
the Sorrowful Mysteries
As you pray the rosary today, see
Mary's protection through the Passion:
The Agony in the Garden - Jesus in agony yet held in the Father's arms. Under the
shadow of divine protection.
The Scourging - The brutality Mexico knew under the Aztecs, Jesus bore
for all.
The Crown of Thorns - Mocked, rejected, yet crowned. Like the indigenous
people who became children of God.
Carrying the Cross - Juan Diego carried his uncle's pain. Jesus carries all
pain.
The Crucifixion - The blood sacrifice to end all blood sacrifice. "It
is finished." No more. God gave His blood. Ours is precious now.
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared after
Calvary. She came bearing the fruit of the Cross: dignity, healing, hope. She
comes to tell you the same.
A
Quiet Challenge
Mary asked Juan Diego to gather roses
in December on a barren hill. Impossible. But he went. And the impossible
happened.
What impossible thing is God asking of
you? Not the drama, but the daily impossible: Forgive that person. Choose joy
in that circumstance. Trust Me in that fear. Love that difficult person.
This week, when God asks for the
impossible, remember Juan Diego. Go to the barren hill. Look for the roses.
They'll be there. When you open your cloak, you might find God's been working a
miracle you didn't even know was possible.
"Am I not here, I, who am your
mother?" She is. And that changes everything.
Closing
Prayer to Our Lady:
"Our Lady of Guadalupe, you came
to the broken, the conquered, the fearful, and called them your children. You
told Juan Diego he was under your protection, in the crossing of your arms. I
need to hear that today. I've been running, striving, trying to handle
everything alone. Remind me: you are here. You are my mother. I am under your
shadow and protection. And I need nothing more. Show me the roses blooming on
my barren hills. Show me the miracles hidden in my impossible circumstances.
Help me open my cloak, my life, to reveal the image of Jesus working in me. In
Jesus' Name, Amen."
Then ask:
- Where am I running from God because I think I've
failed?
- Do I believe "Am I not here?" is enough,
or do I need more proof?
- What impossible thing is God asking me to gather
today?
The tilma should have decayed after 20
years. It's lasted nearly 500. What God preserves, nothing can destroy. Not
even the rough circumstances of your life.
You are held. You are safe. You are
loved. "Am I not here, I who am your mother?" Yes. She is. Always.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12, 2025
A Franciscan Reflection
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
