Disciple: With Hearts Open to God’s Love
By the Rev. Daisy Colon
Stir up our power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. [BCP p. 212] O God, Father of mercies, who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son’s most holy Mother, grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe may seek with ever more lively faith the progress of people in the ways of justice and of peace; through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]
Reflecting on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe offers a profound glimpse into the themes of faith, cultural unity and spiritual preparation, particularly as they resonate with the Advent season. The story centers on the miraculous apparitions of the Virgin Mary to an Indigenous man, Juan Diego, in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill, just outside what is now Mexico City. Through this encounter, the Virgin of Guadalupe brought a message of love, hope and unity that transcends cultural boundaries. The miraculous image on Juan Diego’s cloak not only convinced the skeptical bishop to build a temple in her honor but has since become a symbol of protection and cultural identity for millions.
The Virgin of Guadalupe, often affectionately referred to as “La Virgen Morena” or “the dark-skinned Virgin,” has a unique place in the hearts of people of Mexican descent, but her influence extends across borders. Every year on December 12, millions celebrate her feast day, especially in Mexico and the southwestern United States, where the festivities include pilgrimages, dancers, banners and joyful processions. For many, this celebration represents not only a deep spiritual devotion but also a connection to their cultural heritage. In this way, Our Lady of Guadalupe embodies the universal and inclusive love of God—a love that embraces and uplifts people from diverse backgrounds and unites them under a shared faith and identity.
In the context of Advent, the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe is especially profound. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ, an invitation to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation—the Word of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. The story of Guadalupe mirrors this theme of incarnation in a particular way, as Mary herself appeared pregnant with the Incarnate Word, symbolizing the church’s mission to bring forth Christ into the world. As Virgil Elizondo, a noted theologian, expressed, the heart of the Guadalupe apparition is “what she carries within her womb: a center of the new humanity that is about to be born.”
This sense of expectancy and new birth is central to Advent, which is not merely about anticipating Christ’s birth in Bethlehem but also his second coming. In this sense, the Advent call to “prepare the way of the Lord” speaks to a hope-filled anticipation of Christ’s ultimate return. The Virgin of Guadalupe, embodying this message, calls on us to prepare ourselves for Christ, urging us to be “pregnant” with the Incarnate Word, filled with his love and hope, and sharing with the world.
Mary’s appearance as Our Lady of Guadalupe reveals another important theme: unity through diversity. Her image, which blends European and Indigenous features, symbolizes the melding of cultures that took place during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. At a time when Indigenous cultures were oppressed and devalued, the Virgin appeared in a form that honored and validated these people, proclaiming a gospel that was inclusive and compassionate. She personified a mestiza, or mixed-race figure, embodying both European and Native American characteristics and thereby embracing all people. This image of the Virgin has become a potent symbol for many, representing a church that is multiracial and multicultural, celebrating diversity while remaining united in faith.
Advent, too, is a season that emphasizes this inclusivity. It is a time when Christians around the world come together in hopeful anticipation, united by a shared belief in the coming of Christ. Our Lady of Guadalupe, then, calls us to look beyond our individual identities and backgrounds and to recognize our common humanity and shared purpose. Just as Mary brought people of diverse origins together in faith, the season of Advent invites us to come together as one body in Christ, looking forward to his return with hearts full of love and anticipation.
REMINDING US OF OUR MISSION
In many ways, Mary’s apparition at Guadalupe and her presence during Advent remind us of our mission as a church: to carry forth the light of Christ into the world. Mary’s message to Juan Diego—requesting a church be built on Tepeyac Hill—symbolizes the call to make Christ’s love manifest on earth. This mission is especially urgent during Advent, a season when the church looks toward the end times, preparing for Christ’s second coming and the fulfillment of his kingdom. Mary’s own words in the Magnificat, praising God for lifting up the lowly, filling the hungry with good things, echo the message she imparted at Guadalupe, calling us to work for justice, peace and love.
In reflecting on the Virgin of Guadalupe during Advent, we are reminded of the church’s eschatological hope—that is, its ultimate hope in Christ’s return and the restoration of all creation. The second coming, an important theme during Advent, calls us to live with a sense of expectation, aligning our lives with the values of God’s kingdom and sharing the Good News of salvation with the world. Mary of Guadalupe, who appeared as a comforting mother to Juan Diego and a protector to her people, embodies this hope and reminds us of God’s unfailing presence and love.
Another layer of meaning in the story of Guadalupe lies in the miraculous roses that bloomed on Tepeyac Hill. Roses, an impossible occurrence in that place and season, served as proof of Mary’s presence and validated Juan Diego’s story. These roses symbolize God’s power to bring beauty, life and hope into seemingly barren places, which resonates deeply with the Advent theme of light into the darkness. Just as these roses bloomed in a place where they were least expected, so too does Christ come to us in unexpected ways, offering hope and renewal even in the midst of suffering or despair.
The miraculous image on Juan Diego’s cloak, still preserved and displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the reality of the divine. For the millions who venerate the Virgin of Guadalupe, this image serves as a reminder of God’s closeness, a visible sign of Mary’s intercession and protection. As we approach the Advent season, this image encourages us to keep faith and to remain steadfast in our trust in God’s promises, even when the world around us seems filled with uncertainty.
TAKING TO HEART THE MESSAGE
In sum, the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe offers a powerful lens through which to view Advent, underscoring the season’s themes of hope, unity and preparation for Christ’s coming. Mary of Guadalupe calls us to live with hearts open to God’s love and ready to bring Christ into the world, much like she did. She challenges us to look beyond cultural or racial divisions, to embrace one another as members of the same family of faith, and to prepare ourselves for the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises.
As we celebrate her feast day and enter into the Advent season, may we take to heart the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Let her story inspire us to live with a sense of expectancy, faith and unity, remembering that just as she carried the Incarnate Word within her, we, too, are called to bear Christ to the world. In this way, we honor not only her appearance at Guadalupe but also the timeless truth she represents: that God’s love knows no boundaries and that Christ is continually being born anew in our hearts and in our world.
The Rev. Daisy Colon is a curate in the Reimagining Curacies initiative.
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