Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And what joyous Scripture! I am taken aback by what God accomplished--and continues to accomplish-- through the cooperation of our Blessed Mother. Especially dear to us as Patroness of the Americas, Mary brought over 20 million souls to Jesus as a result of her appearance in Guadalupe! Even now, Jesus continues to come to us through Mary.
“See, I am coming to dwell among you…” (Zech 2:14). In reading today’s scripture passages I was struck by how many times I encountered the word “coming”. The sense of expectancy is becoming more intense as we enter deeper and deeper into this time of Advent. Creation all around us seems to have prepared by entering a deep and quiet waiting. The leaves have turned and fallen and the flowers of summer have withered away. Grasses ceased their growth and birds have grown so still. Darkness creeps in early in the day and lingers longer in the morning. Have I allowed myself to slow down--attending, waiting, preparing? Have I allowed myself to really feel what this time of waiting means for me? How do I really “feel” about His coming? Sometimes it is difficult to pull away from the busyness and rushing that surrounds me.
“..and he will dwell among you” (Zech 2:15). To whom does creation bow and obey and respond? I have sensed this invitation to enter the rest and quiet. I have opened my eyes and my ears and my mind to He that is coming. Do I dare open my heart as well? Can I stay awhile and allow myself to feel the longing for Him? This longing feels uncomfortable, but at the same time I am aware that this particular longing emerges from the very deepest place inside me.
“…The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Lk 1:35). A simple “yes” from Mary changes all of creation for all eternity. Though I cannot see clearly, I know in my deepest heart that He who is coming is the source of my longing, this ever present yearning that resides in the very ground of my being. Do I see this longing as a precious gift from God, the God who desires to be close to me? He has placed this desire deep in my heart and it feels as though He is drawing me to Him.
“Now have salvation and power come...” (Rev 12:10) The One Holy Immortal God penetrates the thresholds of space and time to dwell with us. Not only is he unwilling to leave us on our own, he comes to fulfill our deepest longing. He does not order or demand or take us by force. Rather, he draws and woos and creates in our hearts the desire for him. A simple “yes” to this longing has the power to change our lives for eternity.
In our time of prayer today, let us be aware of our feelings, especially the feeling of longing in our hearts for the God who comes to dwell among us. Let us trust that this deep longing is an extraordinary gift meant to draw us ever closer to the Holy Immortal One who deeply longs for us as well.
O Holy and Immortal God,
You had a purpose for creating this extraordinary longing in our hearts.
Grant us the grace to recognize and feel deeply our longing for you.
Allow us to surrender and trust this gift of longing
will lead us more deeply into your love,
With the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Through Christ Jesus,
Amen.
- Gail Lyman