Seemingly, many people nowadays experience fear, anxiety, worry, and depression. Further, how many people do we know that have suicidal thoughts or have actually committed suicide? Why are these experiences getting prevalent? It could be that there is so much uncertainty, it could also be that because we have lost our moral compass as there is so much sin and negativity, and it could be because we feel more alone despite all the technology in communications. In the spiritual realm, the devil influences our emotions in a negative way. 

Last Saturday, we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. How can her apparition at the Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City from Dec 9 to 12, 1531, be of help when life is burdensome and we need rest?

1. The Words of Mary to Juan Diego who was very worried about his uncle, Juan Bernardino, who was about to pass away. “Am I not here, I who am your mother?” Indeed the next day, Juan Bernardino fully recovered. How comforting it is to have Mama Mary praying for us and with us to God with whom nothing is impossible. 
   
2. Signs. The Archbishop of Mexico City, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, asked for a sign. The Virgin asked Juan Diego to pick the Castilian roses and give them to the Archbishop. December was not the time for roses and the Castilian variety did not grow in Mexico. Someone said that it is when it is darkest are the stars brightest. Even if we go through our darkest nights, there are certainly many signs of God’s presence and providence. Hence never lose hope.
   
3. Miracles. Juan Diego placed the roses at his Tilma and when he gave the roses to the Archbishop, they saw an image of The Virgin of Guadalupe at the Tilma. Many experts studied the Tilma and found it to be miraculous. May this also be reminded that God perpetually intercedes in our lives and miracles are part of it.

That is why in every mass, especially for those who are undergoing great difficulty, never ever lose hope. The feast day reminds us that Mama Mary is always praying with us and for us, God is present most especially in our darkest moments, and whether times are good or bad, God’s miracles will always be there.