The feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe

On Friday we remembered St Juan Diego. Today we bring him and the mother of Jesus together as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Under the title of Guadalupe, Mary is the patroness of Mexico, Latin America and the Philippines. The devotion began with the appearance of Mary to Diego, a poor indigenous man in Tepayac. She said to him, '' Am I, your mother, not here?'' Today's memorial reminds us of the importance of Mary in the coming of the Son of God to share in our human life. She was a young girl in a remote small village who was asked to be the mother of the Saviour. We don't know what would have happened to the process of salvation if she had refused to accept the incredible invitation. We only know that she did accept and because of that moment in Nazareth, we are preparing to celebrate the birth of her son. But today we are also reminded that her appearance to Juan Diego signifies the way she accompanied her son in his mission to those who are poor, who are suffering and discriminated against. The countries of South America, like many others, are characterized by the enormous inequality between the poor who have continually been exploited by the rich. This Christmas, may we share in Mary's prayer that the lowly will be lifted up and that the hungry will be filled with good things.