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Friday, December 12, 1997

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Our Lady of Guadalupe


Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm 45
Luke 1:39-47

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the conquering queen-mother

"Blest are you among women and blest is the Fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" —Luke 1:42-43

The title "Guadalupe" is probably a misunderstanding of the Indian word, "Tecoatlaxope," meaning: "she will crush the serpent of stone." This is a prophetic revelation that Mary is "a great sign...a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Rv 12:1). Mary leads all Christians in accepting her Son's power to quickly crush Satan (Rm 16:20; Gn 3:15).

The writer of Song of Songs prophesied and questioned: "Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun, as awe-inspiring as bannered troops?" (Sg 6:10) Mary is the answer to that mysterious question. Mary is a great sign of victory because she is the mother of Jesus, Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of heaven (Rv 19:14). She is the mother of the One called "The Faithful and True" (Rv 19:11), Whose name is the Word of God (Rv 19:13) and the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rv 19:16). She is the conquering queen-mother of the all-conquering King, and she is the adoptive mother of followers of this King, who are more than conquerors in Him (Rm 8:37).

Believe and conquer! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Prayer:  Father, this Advent send Mary to teach me how to follow Jesus in victory.

Promise:  "My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." —Lk 1:46-47

Praise:  A small Christian community named after Our Lady of Guadalupe has fasted for several years for an end to abortion.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997