Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

Today, we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, the mother who draws near to her children with tenderness, especially the poor, the fearful, and the forgotten. When she appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531, she spoke words that continue to console the Church today: “Am I not here, I who am your mother?” Her presence reveals a God who never abandons His people—a God who chooses to dwell among us, guide us, and surround us with His peace.
This is precisely the message of the prophet Zechariah: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you.” This promise finds its fulfillment in Mary, whose “yes” allows God to come close—so close that He takes flesh in her womb. Mary becomes the living Ark of the Covenant, the sacred place where God makes His home with humanity.
The canticle from Judith today praises a woman through whom God delivered His people: “Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God… your praise will never depart from the hearts of those who remember the power of God.” The Church applies these words to Mary, for in her, God has worked the greatest deliverance of all—the coming of the Savior. Like Judith, Mary is a woman of courage and faith, and through her “yes,” generations behold the saving power of God.
In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel announces God’s astounding plan. Mary listens with a heart that is attentive, humble, and free. She questions, not out of doubt, but out of openness: “How can this be?” And once she understands God’s will, her response becomes the model for every disciple: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” This is what true faith looks like—trusting God enough to surrender to His plan.
Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that God continues to come close to us today. He speaks our language, enters our pain, meets us in our struggles, and lifts our hearts when we feel forgotten. She invites us to listen, to trust, and to believe that God is at work even in the smallest, simplest yes, we can offer Him.
Let’s ask Mary shows us that when we say “yes,” God fills our lives with His peace, His presence, and His purpose.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe—Patroness of the Americas and Mother of all who seek God—help us to offer our own humble “yes,” so that Christ may dwell more fully in us and shine through us into our world.
Amen.

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