mary's evangelization seminar
"When the designated time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman." —Galatians 4:4
Mary was the first and is the greatest evangelizer. As soon as she conceived Jesus in her womb, she shared Jesus with Elizabeth and John, the baby in Elizabeth's womb (Lk 1:39ff). They both were filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:41). After Our Lady of Guadalupe came to Juan Diego in Mexico, eight million people came to new life in Jesus over the next seven years. As Pope Paul VI taught, Mary is the star of evangelization (On Evangelization, 82).
Mary, the greatest evangelizer, was pregnant. To effectively share the life of Jesus, we must respect, defend, and nurture life.
Mary was poor. Jesus came to proclaim the good news to the poor (Lk 4:18).
Mary was a healer. She was used by the Lord to heal Juan Diego's uncle.
Mary was a deliverer. Her Mexican name, Tecoatlaxope, means "Crusher of the serpent- god."
Our Lady of Guadalupe gives us a radical understanding of evangelization. Bringing others to Jesus involves not just programs and services but choosing life in a culture of death and choosing poverty in the midst of out-of-control consumerism. Evangelization means announcing the kingdom of God as we "cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons" (Mt 10:7-8). Evangelize the Americas, Guadalupe- style.
Prayer: Father, may I evangelize by Your standards.
Promise: "The Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel." —Is 7:14
Praise: Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, began leading eight million people to Jesus by telling a simple man to visit a sick relative.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Mother Mary.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996