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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today's Lectionary Readings
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Working in social service is hard. There are days when someone comes
for help, and we're unable to help them. Problems exist in
systems all around us that we do not have complete control over. The
brokenness of the human condition is present at every turn. We are
tasked with managing services administered to others in need while
also trying to care for ourselves, and the families entrusted to our
care.

Without God, this work would be soulless.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a significant feast in
the Americas. Our patroness! Our Lady. Mama.

Two things strike me as particularly relevant for us in our work on
today's feast. Our Lady is so utterly present, for so many
people. Her message of compassion has reached the ends of the earth.
She is known, she is loved, she is valued. The Gospel reading for the
feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe reads: "My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior." And
proclaim she has!

I am also moved by the part of St. Juan Diego in the apparition
stories. When he presented the idea Mary asked of him, St. Juan Diego
was questioned and asked to produce a sign that he really saw what he
said he saw. There is so much symbolism in this moment. At different
times in my life, I've been on different sides of that story.
I've been the one who is not believed. I've been the one
who has asked for proof. And some days, I'm both. The times
I've been questioned, it was easy to become defensive. The times
I've questioned were not always with the best intent. Humans are
flawed, and we will always be flawed. In work that can sometimes be
difficult, and with work that could be soulless if it weren't
for God, it's important that we do not separate ourselves from
Him or allow the vices we favor to take over our composition.

Just as without God this work is soulless, without Mary, how easily we
can fall from God. In all ways, but particularly as Our Lady of
Guadalupe, Mary reaches out to us and offers herself as a vehicle for
reaching her Son.

The Catholic tradition of cherishing Mary as the Mother of God is one
of the most beautiful aspects of our faith to me. She is real, she is
present, and she is our mother. I invite you to take up her personal
invitation to know her Son on her very special feast day today. Allow
yourself to be sustained by God through His mother as we continue to
do this work together. Let us allow this faith to transform our vices
into virtues. We can strengthen our faith together so we can continue
to serve God's people. Let our souls proclaim the greatness of
the Lord!

Lacy de la Garza is Director of Parish & Community Relations at
Catholic Charities Dallas.




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