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Homily,
Guadalupano Congress My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I wish to express my gratitude to each of you for your presence here today. You have spent the day in meaningful conversation and discussion centered on that most beautiful of all women, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Church gives our Blessed Mother many titles. Appropriately, today you have focused on Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In just a few more days, millions of Hispanic people all over the world will begin solemn novenas in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then, on December 12th, even larger numbers of people, Anglos as well as Hispanics, will gather to celebrate the actual feast day. Singing (mananitas), dancing and prayers and festivities will all culminate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Mass. The Eucharist is the most blessed of all sacraments. The Eucharist is the Body and the Blood of Jesus. The maternal love of the Blessed Virgin Mary was clearly expressed to Saint Juan Diego when Mary appeared to him at Tepeyac. She lovingly addressed him as “Juanito.” Then she told him who she was. “The Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God.” She also directed him to arrange that a sanctuary be built there in her honor. She gave the reason for wanting a shrine built there. She said that she would “alleviate the miseries and sufferings of the people who believed in her.” Then she directed Juan Diego again. “Go to Mexico to the house of the bishop and tell him what I say and what you saw.” At first, Juan Diego was ignored. However, he persisted at the direction of Our Lady. Finally, his message was substantiated by the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on his tilma. The shrine was built and rebuilt over the last four hundred seventy-seven years. During that time, millions and millions of people received the Good News of Jesus, were baptized and lived a good and faithful life. Mary had truly alleviated the miseries and sufferings of people by bringing them to her Son Jesus the true God. It is Jesus, Who gives us life everlasting. He is Lord. He is Savior. The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe fulfills her role as Mother of Jesus and our mother, too. In giving birth to Jesus, she brings Jesus to us. In calling us at Tepeyac, she brings us to Jesus. In fact, this is her maternal role In a similar way, today you have spent the day in prayer and study and reflection on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Now, we gather here in this beautiful chapel to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. Mary has led us here into the presence of Jesus. Moreover, tonight we begin a special feast in honor of Jesus Christ, our King. With the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we conclude the Liturgical Year. Mary has brought us to Jesus and He gives us a share in His life. “Take My Flesh and eat it. Take My Blood and drink It and you shall have life everlasting.” Most
Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran |