WOMAN, RADIANCE OF GOD’S LOVE

The Book of Genesis describes Creation with poetic, symbolic and deeply truthful language “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them”. (Genesis 1:27). God’s creative action is developed based on a specific project; which is Salvation.

Since the dawn of Salvation History, we understood and believed in God as a Father; He first gave life to a man and then a woman. Why?

Women and men complement each other, two sides of the same coin. They both have the same dignity given by God, they are equal but different. Men can provide the fatherly figure that watches over and take care of His own. Women have many qualities that reflect God such as the ability to create life. Also, God intended women to be caring and loving, able to love to the point of surrendering their lives for their creation just as

He did in Jesus. God understood that a man could not represent His loving face alone with the delicacy that a woman can.

In the Holy Scriptures, so many passages discuss the motherly image of God. In the Old Testament, God is like an eagle that flies around his chicks (Deuteronomy 32:11). These images become stronger in Isaiah, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15). In the New Testament, Jesus is compared to a mother protecting her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37).

Eve, the first woman, in her innocence, fell into the temptation offered by a snake used by Satan as an instrument for his plans. I think Satan approached the woman first because he knew that she had the ability to create, which Satan utterly hates because he can only destroy.

Matthew’s Gospel explains that King Herod wished to know where the Messiah would be born because he intended to destroy Him. The Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph fled to Egypt while the most dreadful tragedy of the world developed; the assassination of all children under the age of two. Just because Herod wanted to destroy the possibility of God becoming a man and dwelling among us.

Again, we understand that Satan reappears to seduce someone else. In Luke, we read that Satan tempted Christ in the desert at the beginning of His ministry; “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days He was tempted by the Devil”. (Luke 4:1-2). This is an example of the enemy’s hatred and willingness to destroy anyone that is willing to talk about God’s Love and proclaim His Glory to a thirsty world.

Today, women run the same risk as Eve, for they may be deceived by the snake and fall into temptation and sin; to corrupt their creative ability to manifest into evil to influence those around her just as Eve convinced Adam to eat the forbidden fruit, causing him to also fall. But women may also choose to be like the most blessed woman in the world, the new Eve, the Virgin Mary. Her face reflects the Father’s tender face. This is why I dare to say that women are the RADIANCE OF GOD’S LOVE.

God wants us to see in the Virgin Mary, a motherly face full of love, tenderness and peace. An unprecedented fact as described by the Apostle John, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us”. (John 1:14). Let us take a deep look at the image of the pregnant Virgin where we can see that all the elements of God’s love are united or, I would rather say, molded together. So, in the same image we have God’s fatherly and motherly faces and that is what make Mary immaculate. The Father that protects and provides and Mary, loving as only a woman and mother can love, by creating life with tenderness, dedication, compassion and faithfulness.

The Church teaches us that the new Adam is Jesus and the new Eve is the Virgin Mary. Jesus did not fall into the temptation and never sinned, and for our sake, He defeated the snake and came to save the lost humanity. The Virgin Mary did not fall into the temptation and her immaculate body became the new tabernacle where God’s presence would dwell for nine months and in her heart forever.

A woman, our Mother Mary, is the greatest example of a woman’s love in the Bible, and her affirmative acceptance of God’s will brought us salvation.

We must be willing to do the same whenever God offers us a mission and firmly reply, “I am the Lord’s servant. May Your word to me be manifest”. This answer holds the top potential of women and through them to us. Amen. “The Church cannot be Herself without the women and the roles they play. Women are essential for the Church”. Pope Francis.

This is why I want to use the opportunity of Mother’s Day to congratulate all the women for their resemblance of God, for being the Splendor of the Creator’s Face and their unlimited dedication in our favor. A special congratulatory message to all the mothers that have surrendered themselves to the upbringing, education and guidance of their children, grandchildren and family, for their sacrifice to the other is paramount in Salvation History. I am also grateful for the mothers that have departed for the Heavenly Kingdom; for we will dwell with them again in Eternal Life.

Finally, I want to thank and acknowledge once more all the support we receive from you. I appreciate your generous monthly contribution that allows ESNE to continue sowing the seed of faith and hope; to spread the Good News and offer up so many testimonies that confirm the benefit of following Christ to tens of millions of people in 20 countries; an integral part of Salvation History.

We pray every day for your needs and ask God to bless all the generous supporters of ESNE. Thank you for sowing your seed in this fertile land that God has provided us in the Americas.

I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day and remain at your service in the Love of the Father and the Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit along with Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Virgin Mary who is the Queen of Heaven and Earth; may she reign in your heart today.