From a Word from Becky, my monthly newsletter to my readers
Dear friends,
Happy Third Week of Advent and Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
This week, I invite us to reflect on three carriers of the “Word, who became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). John the Baptist, Mary, and Juan Diego. All three of these holy witnesses are pointers to the One greater than them.
In yesterday’s Gospel, we heard Jesus’ words about John the Baptist:
“Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.”
John the Baptist prepared the way by softening people’s hearts to be ready to receive Jesus. He carried the “Word” into the wilderness of the world through his prophetic voice.
Mary hearing the words of the angel Gabriel proclaimed her “yes” to carry the “Word” within her:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38)
Mary continues to point us to her Son and invites us to trust the words and promises of her Son.
On today’s feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us also remember how Saint Juan Diego was given words by Mary to carry to his bishop about building a shrine to her. He carried the good news of her apparition and also of her words to the bishop and ultimately the world of Mary’s gift of mercy and intercession.
Each of these three holy witnesses are pointers to the One who is the “way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Their eyes were always fixed on Jesus, who became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. Mary, John the Baptist and Juan Diego all waited in hope that the words they received would come true.
This third week of advent, I invite us to reflect on two questions:
- How is God inviting us to carry the Word into the world today?
- How can we continue to wait in hope, as Mary, John the Baptist, and Juan Diego did for the Word spoken to us to be fulfilled?
May we carry the Word, who is hope, to those we encounter this week! Know of my prayers for you!
Peace,
Becky
Photo by Shamith TP on Unsplash
Becky Eldredge
December 12, 2022