Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Juan Diego (1474-1548)

On December 9, 1531, a 57-year-old peasant named Juan Diego, who lived near Mexico City, was on his way to Mass. Suddenly he heard beautiful music and a woman’s voice calling to him from Tepeyac Hill. At the top of the hill, he saw a beautiful woman, who revealed that she was the Virgin Mary. She told Juan to go to the bishop and tell him that a church should be built in her honor at the bottom of the hill. Juan went to the bishop and told him about his vision, but the bishop wasn’t ready to believe Juan’s story. He said he needed a sign to prove Juan’s story true. Several days later, Juan’s uncle was sick. As Juan rushed to find a doctor, the Virgin appeared again. Juan told her about his uncle. She assured Juan that all would be well. That morning, she appeared to the uncle and cured him. Then she told Juan to go to the top of the hill and to gather in his cloak the roses he would find there, then take them to the bishop as the sign the bishop had requested. When Juan opened his cloak, the roses fell out, but the greatest sign of all was the beautiful portrait of the Virgin that suddenly appeared on Juan’s cloak. Soon after, a church was built in Mary’s honor. (Adapted from Wintz, “The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe”). (Taken from "The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middleschoolers.")

Reflection

It is hard for some of us to approach those in positions of power. It must have taken a lot of courage and faith for Juan Diego, a peasant, to approach the bishop and tell him about his vision, and request that a church be built in honor of Mary. It is also hard for some of us to trust in our faith. It must have taken a tremendous amount of faith for Juan Diego to listen to the Blessed Virgin's request to gather simple roses, and give them to the bishop as the sign that he had requested. Ask Mary to intercede on your behalf to the Lord, asking to have greater courage and trust in your faith, like Juan Diego did. Also, ask for blessings on the people of Mexico and Central America.

Prayer

God, on this day set aside to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, we pray especially for the people of Mexico and Central America. May Mary and Jesus continue to inspire them and give them hope. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)

Meditations

Meditation for Reading 2

In preparing for the celebration of Christmas, we are challenged to discern what is best for us in our lives. "Best for us" means best not in a selfish or self-centered way, but best in terms of what Christ expects of us and how well we are contributing to the Kingdom of God. It is not always easy to know what Christ wants of us. We need, as Saint Paul says, more knowledge and insight to be in tune with Christ. This happens through prayer. That is why during Advent, the Church calls us to slow down, take time to be quiet, and reflect on the Scriptures. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)

Meditation for Gospel

The last line of this Sunday's Gospel is significant. All four Gospel writers use the quotes from Isaiah, chapter 40, when they write about the mission of John the Baptist. However, only Luke includes the message that God's salvation is for all people. Luke wrote his Gospel for a largely Gentile (non-Jewish) audience, and he wants them to hear and to know that Jesus came to bring salvation not only for the Jews but for everyone. As we read the Gospel of Luke throughout this year, we will notice that he emphasizes this point many times. John's message is one of repentance but also of hope because he is sharing the Good News that the Messiah, the one who will forgive all sins and bring salvation to everyone, is about to appear, thus ending their wait. John's message has two sides: (1) prepare and seek forgiveness, and (2) rejoice, for the Messiah will be among us soon. John is a voice in the wilderness, a wilderness of hatred and injustice. He is a herald of the dawning of a new age of justice and peace. John's life is an example of what it takes to make way for a new order in the world. He prepares a way for Jesus by tirelessly removing obstacles, straightening the path, filling the valleys, and lowering the mountaints. Because of John's faithfulness to his call from God, even though for a brief time, the world is ready to receive the Messiah. (Taken from "Youth Engaging Scripture: Diving into the Sunday Gospels")