At Tepeyac the Virgin Mary depicts herself
as a pregnant, olive-skinned Indian maiden. Like the Son she carries in her
womb, she identifies herself with the little ones. She imagines herself as one
of them.
On an
icy cold day in December of 1531, she
promises Juan Diego that he will find many flowers blossoming on the hilltop
where he first met her. He does as she says and gathers roses, lilies,
carnations, iris, fragrant jasmine blossoms, yellow gorse and tiny violets. The
Virgin arranges them all in the fold of Juan’s coarse cactus fiber tilma.
When they fall to the floor before the dumbfounded bishop in Mexico City, he sees Our Blessed Lady’s lovely handiwork. She has painted her self-portrait with spring
blossoms in winter.
Jesus and
his dear Mother long to be with us; and even now they are doing everything,
anything to get our attention. Very often perhaps we have ignored His
mercy-laden advances; or perhaps forgotten her promise and desire to console
and protect us. No regrets, for once again Mercy and His Mother come to us like
spring in the midst of winter.
Do listen, do be assured of it, my
littlest one, that nothing at all should alarm you, should trouble you, nor in any way
disturb your countenance, your heart. For am I not here, I, your mother? Are
you not in the cool of my shadow? In the breeziness of my shade? Is
it not I that am your source of contentment? Are you not cradled in my mantle, cuddled
in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?
from Our Lady's words to Saint Juan Diego.
