It’s always interesting when you have one of those breakdown moments. You know what I’m talking about. Those times when you melt down into a blubbery mess of tears, frustration and perhaps words that don’t even make sense. You are exhausted and angry, and have finally reached your limit.
I call these my “volcano” moments. It’s like the magma inside my soul gets hotter and hotter until it finally erupts. These moments are not pretty. In fact they burn (pun intended). They come from a deep place of hurt within us and can be moments of growth and total reliance on Christ and His will for us.
I can only imagine that Juan Diego may have been having one of these volcano moments when he tried to avoid the Blessed Virgin Mary. He must have been beside himself, just a simple peasant being asked to complete such an enormous task. Not to mention the fact that his uncle was sick, really sick, and Juan’s concern for him had him very worried. The only thing he could think of was to avoid her and just focus on what he thought was more important.
In the end, the Virgin Mary conquered his heart, as she does all of ours if we let her. Her gentle, motherly ways break through all our barriers as she calmly guides us to her Son. “Juanito, am I not here who am your mother?” We can put our name in place of his. Our mother is always here with us. She shelters us under her warm mantle. The same mantle she imprinted her image on when Juan Diego went to the bishop with her request.
In our Psalm Response today we hear: “Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.” Isn’t that what we are hoping and preparing for this Advent? To receive the Light of life in the form of an innocent babe? Perhaps that’s why God chooses the humble and the simple, lille Juan Diego, because they are the ones who will follow Him. They are the ones who although weak and fearful, will trust in Him and do as He asks.
Let us follow the example of Juan Diego today by following the Lord, wherever he may lead us.
Siempre es interesante cuando tienes uno de esos momentos de desajuste total. Sabes de qué estoy hablando. Esos momentos en que te derrites en un desastre de lágrimas, frustración y quizás palabras que ni siquiera tienen sentido. Estás agotado y enojado, y finalmente has llegado a tu límite.
Los llamo mis momentos de “volcán”. Es como si el magma dentro de mi alma se calentara más y más hasta que finalmente sale disparado. Estos momentos no son bonitos. De hecho, queman. Vienen de un lugar profundo de dolor dentro de nosotros y pueden ser momentos de crecimiento y dependencia total de Cristo y su voluntad para nosotros.
Solo puedo imaginar que Juan Diego pudo haber tenido uno de estos momentos de volcán cuando trató de evitar a la Santísima Virgen María. Debe haber estado fuera de sí, solo un simple campesino que se le pide que complete una tarea tan enorme. Sin mencionar el hecho de que su tío estaba enfermo, realmente enfermo, y el temor de Juan por él lo preocupaba mucho. Lo único que podía pensar era evitarla y centrarse en lo que pensaba que era más importante.
Al final, la Virgen María conquistó su corazón, como hace con todos nosotros si la permitimos. Sus formas suaves y maternales rompen todas nuestras barreras mientras nos guía con calma a su hijo. “Juanito, ¿no estoy aquí, quién soy tu madre?” Podemos poner nuestro nombre en lugar suyo. Nuestra madre siempre está aquí con nosotros. Ella nos refugia debajo de su cálido manto. El mismo manto en el que imprimió su imagen cuando Juan Diego fue al obispo con su pedido.
En nuestro Salmo Responsorial hoy escuchamos: “Dichoso el hombre que confía en el Señor.” ¿No es eso lo que esperamos para este advenimiento? ¿Recibir la luz de la vida en forma de un recién nacido inocente? Quizás es por eso que Dios elige a los humildes y los sencillos, como Juan Diego, porque ellos son los que lo seguirán. Ellos son los que, aunque débiles y temerosos, confiarán en él y harán lo que él les pide.
Sigamos hoy el ejemplo de Juan Diego siguiendo al Señor, por donde sea que nos lleve.
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.
Feature Image Credit: Bárbara Hernández, https://cathopic.com/photo/10388-san-juan-diego
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