Indigenous Mexican Saint Juan Diego with roses & the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on his tilma (cloak).
On December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, a convert to Catholicism, was walking to Mass when Our Lady appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill to ask that a church be built on that spot. The skeptical Bishop did not believe Juan until Juan returned with signs from his later encounter with Our Lady on December 12: roses that were blooming out of season and the image of Our Lady imprinted on his tilma. The miraculous signs convinced the Bishop to build the church.
When have you doubted God’s presence in our world? What signs have reminded you of God’s presence? How have others’ faith experiences inspired and enriched your own spirituality?
God, help us see signs of your presence in our lives. Open our hearts and minds to the miracles we celebrate during Advent and Christmas and to the beauty of faith traditions throughout the world.