December 12, 2025 // Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 

Reflect on the Word //

I stepped out of the shop with a stack of paper that still felt warm from the copying machine. Back in the 90s, before blogs and social media, people would self publish zines, usually photocopied low-budget mini-magazines. I had just printed out my first issue, which was a collection of writing, music/concert reviews, and commentary about living a Christian Catholic life. After years away from God, I had recently come back to the faith. I named the zine Handmaid because it was inspired by the Scripture in today’s Gospel reading. 

In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, we read about the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary and explaining God’s plan for her life. It was no wonder that she was troubled as she tried to wrap her head around the situation. Besides the logistics, did she wonder about how Joseph would take the news? Would he even believe her? What about her family? I can only imagine the interior turmoil. 

Yet, when the dust settled only one thing was certain in Mary’s heart: that she loved God and she trusted Him completely. With humility, she utters her beautiful words, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:28). I love that verse so much, but have I let it become a title of a zine or a motto on a coffee mug, rather than the way I live my life? Too often I’ve complained or given God my unsolicited opinion about how my life should be unfolding, instead of asking for the grace to humbly trust in Him. 

Today’s Gospel invites us to examine our lives and see if there is an area we’re trying to tightly control or have a situation that is leaving us utterly stressed. We can stop and take a breath and whisper, “I am the handmaid of the Lord,” trusting that God will not leave us alone and that He’ll give us the strength to go where He leads and the courage to act as He wills.

Relate to the Lord // Today, regularly stop and take a breath and whisper with our Lady, “I am the handmaid of the Lord.”