On Our Lady's Lap

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. // Psalm 131:2*

Before I knew much about him, I found myself holding a prayer card of “Juan Dieguito” that I had stumbled upon. I decided to keep it safe in the little crevice of my dresser, and soon enough, I began to pray the prayer found on the back. I didn’t think he was very special until I was asked to take part in a play depicting the story of Saint Juan Diego and the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. My heart became moved by the Mexican Saint I previously knew very little of. I began contemplating the conversation between Juan and the “Lady from Heaven” who appeared on Tepeyac Hill.

She addressed him throughout their dialogue as the littlest of her sons and the most beloved. As I reflect on the readings for today’s memorial in his honor, especially Psalm 131, I cannot help but imagine Juan Diego as exactly that: a little son. I can envision him as a little child, “stilled and quieted”—at peace and undisturbed—on Our Lady’s lap. She holds him, caresses his face, and speaks to him in a whisper, reminding him that he has nothing to fear since she, who is his mother, is there with him.

On this day, sister, close your eyes and imagine with me that Juan Dieguito gets up from that place of comfort and comes over to you with an extended hand, inviting you to now take your place. Will you go forward to her and rest your head upon her lap? Allow her to caress your hair, your tears absorbed into the beautiful turquoise blue of her mantle, and hear her whisper to you what she said to him:

“Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you . . . .” (source).

May Saint Juan Diego teach us to confide in our Heavenly Mother and place all of our worries and petitions in her care, allowing our souls to rest there in the arms of the one who carried Our Lord and God.

* readings from the Memorial of Saint Juan Diego

Rest in the arms of the one who carried Our Lord and God. // Rocio HermesClick to tweet

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