"Am I Not Here, I Who Am Your Mother?"

I love Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the early 90s my husband, my mom, and I traveled with a Catholic group and visited the basilica. The old basilica was closed because of structural issues and I can't say I admired the architecture of the new basilica, but seeing the tilma up close was a grace and blessing. I bought a banner of the image which hangs in my office where I can look at her often and beg her intercession.

Year ago a friend sent me a Christmas ornament of Juan Diego. Today I put him and a small metal image of Our Lady on the Christmas tree. I love to reflect on the tender words of Mary to her little son:

“Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that frightens you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing: do not let it disturb you…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 something more? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you.”

When I'm worried and upset, I can always turn to Our Lady and imagine myself kneeling before her and being wrapped in her mantle and comforted by her words, "my youngest and dearest daughter...." And then I can listen to her consolation and advice. 

May we all be like Juan Diego and gather the roses she offers us and never be afraid of their thorns, but unite ourself to her under her titles of Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady Help of Christians as well as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

St. Juan Diego, pray for us.