Something about Mary

On my bucket list of things to do in this life is to take a trip to Mexico. Well, I actually already have vacationed in Mexico but some day I would love to travel to Tepeyac, Mexico. That is where the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located.

Here is a quick history of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In December of 1531, our Blessed Mother appeared on a hill top near what is now Mexico City. She appeared to a simple indigenous peasant named Juan Diego. Speaking in the local language, Nahuatl, the Lady asked for a church to be built at that site in her honor. Juan Diego knew this was our Lord's mother. Diego told his story to the bishop who instructed him to return and ask the Lady for a miraculous sign to prove her claim. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather some flowers from the hill. It was winter and no flowers bloomed, but on the hilltop Diego found flowers of every sort, and the Virgin herself arranged them in his tilma or cloak. When Juan Diego opened the cloak in front of the bishop, the flowers fell to the floor, and in their place was the Virgin of Guadalupe, miraculously imprinted on the fabric. The tilma is on display at the Basilica in Tepeyac, Mexico for the faithful to see. Above is a picture.

The tilma has maintained its structural integrity over nearly 500 years, while replicas normally last only about 15 years before suffering degradation. The icon repaired itself with no external help after a 1791 ammonia spill that did considerable damage, and in 1926 an anarchist bomb destroyed the altar, but left the tilma unharmed. To say there is something special about this image of Mary would indeed be an understatement.

Our priest mentioned at mass today that Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness and Protectress of the unborn. That makes sense since I had heard a story a few years ago about pro-life activists who pray outside abortion clinics and bring images of Our Lady of Guadalupe with them. Often times, women would change their mind about aborting their child after seeing the image of the Virgin Mary.

When I first heard these amazing stories, part of me got hung up on the idea that this image of Mary was in such a location. I thought that the image of our Lady of Guadalupe was more appropriate for a refrigerator magnet in the home of some old Catholic widow than outside a place where innocent babies are killed.

However, after further reflection I concluded that the image of Our Lady outside an abortion clinic makes perfect sense. It makes sense for two reasons.

The first reason, to be blunt, is that Mary had an unexpected pregnancy herself. In the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke we read that Mary "was greatly troubled" when she he heard the angel Gabriel tell her that she will bear a son. Mary had much reason to be troubled. She, like many women who have abortions, was not married. She was betrothed to Joseph which is similar to being engaged in our world but Mary had not been intimate with a him or anyone else (Luke 1: 34). Telling Joseph and her family that she was pregnant would be an extremely difficult thing to do. They would probably not understand what was told to her by the angel. Shame would be brought on to her and her family. Beyond that, I am sure Mary knew that the consequences could be server and may even result in her being stoned to death.

Women considering abortion can look to Mary when they feel overwhelmed and helpless. When the anxiety of not knowing what their future holds or the fear of their personal reputation being damaged, they can look to a woman who can say, "I know, I have been there too." Mary's willingness to say "yes" and humble herself can be an example for not only those women considering an abortion but for all of us too. She could have said "no" but amidst the feeling of being troubled she said "I am the handmaid of the Lord" and surrendered to His will.

The second reason why Mary's image makes sense for being outside an abortion clinic is for the sake of the women who are walking out of the clinic following the termination of life within them. Those women might be thinking they made the best decision they could have. They are only fooling themselves. If they come to realize the reality of their decision, they will feel an array of emotions ranging from regret, extreme sadness, guilt, and despair. They might wonder what their child would be doing or how old they would now be had they chosen life. They will feel the indescribable grief a mother feels when her child dies. Mary felt that grief. She saw her son bloodied and lifeless. She probably thought things like "had he not died, my son would turn forty today."

Mothers who have lost children to disease, violence, accidents, and even abortion can turn to our heavenly mother. Mary's prayers can help obtain that needed comfort. Her example of perseverance during difficult times can inspire broken and despairing mothers to continue on and work for a better tomorrow. Those women walking out of an abortion clinic ought to realize that Jesus doesn't know a sin too big that it can't be forgiven.

Mary, mother of God, pray for all women who have been effected by abortion or are considering an abortion. Pray for the innocent children who have been aborted. Pray for the conversion of all those who provide abortions. May our prayers create a culture of life in our cities, our country, and around the world. In your Son's name we pray... Amen.