IMAGE  AND  LIKENESS

The title of my homily is, “Image and Likeness.”

We’re familiar with the  text in Genesis 1: 27, that we are made in the image and likeness of God.

It would be worth reflecting on that text – as well as studying it Hebrew linguistically.

Obviously, we are called to be Godlike.

t’s interesting that the Jews would keep that text – in that they were scrupulous in avowing any hint of idolatry – any kind of image of God

We see that same strain and stress in Islam – avoidance of images of God.

 I begin this way because today is the feast of St. Juan Diego – who is famous for the image and likeness of Mary on his tilma.

It’s worthwhile reading the articles – especially the scientific studies that has taken place regarding the so called tilma of Juan Diego that has on it the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. One can find lots of material on line. Just type in Juan Diego or Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 Here could be 3 possible observations.

 ONE: MEXICAN AND DARKISH

Travel the world and you’ll discover all kinds of images of Mary.   Many are made in the image and likeness of the places you find her.  So you can find many images of Mary as  European and white.

 Our Lady of Guadalupe – looks more Mexican – and more Native American.

 Our Lady of Perpetual Help – can look like the women of the island of Crete where most think the picture is from. In that ikon  Mary seems more Mediterranean and Jewish – but not all.

Our Lady of Guadalupe has in the painting plenty of items for story and object lessons from early Mexican Christianity. It’s a good cultural image and likeness of Mexico from that period of history.

 TWO: BECOMING WHOM  WE HAVE BECOME

 Humans do a lot of looking and comparing kids and their parents – as well as brothers and sisters. We say things like, “spitting image of your father”.

I have heard many times how I look like my dad and my brother.

Then we can add accent: Boston, Alabama, Joisy City.  We take on where we grow up – eat – go to school – play. Kids growing up in Bulgaria, end up speaking Bulgarian – so too kids in Japan and Argentina – learn the local languages and dialect.

As Catholics we have heard much about Mary. As Mary was imprinted on Juan Diego’s tilma, so sermons and words about Mary had imprinted her stories and characteristics on us.  We have been  encouraged to question God and angels. We have been told to say and to pray to God, “Be it done to me according to your word”.  We are to imitate the Mary of Cana and be there for those who have run out of wine and  whatever.  We are to be there for those on the road to Calvary – as well  be there at death beds and death crosses.   We are to be there in the local community.  So, the value of presence becomes us.

 So how am I like Mary?  Watch me. See me. See the Mary of the scriptures imprinted on my being. For example, today’s gospel to make the yoke and burdens of life to be easier for each other.

 THREE: FULL OF GRACE – HUMAN GRACE AND DIVINE GRACE.

Grace is a great word to reflect upon.

It has many meanings. I  like two meanings: gift and acceptance.

 To be in the image and likeness of Mary, is to be a grace filled with gifts for others with the great gifts of life – especially accepting everyone  - and respecting everyone – and noticing everyone – and taking every child in our arms -  like we see in OLPH – after this pandemic.

People are saying they miss hugs.

I like grace to mean gift especially.  Hail Mary, full of grace – full of gifts.

If we live life that way – life becomes more and more graceful each day -  accepting everyone with the gift that they are and the gifts that they have – especially the ones that impact each other’s life.

CONCLUSION

This sermon is getting too long.

Let me conclude it this way.

Some think  Juan Diego was a weaver – a cloth worker.

His image would then get on and in his work – as a way of expressing his work.

The image of Mary got on his garment – because of her place in his life.

I think of those metal seals in our offices – which notaries use especially.  You take a piece of paper and press it with the seal and it becomes  part of the paper and documents they seal.

I think of Native American names – which  came  out of what people saw in people. Juan Diego’s long Native American name Cuauhtlatoatzin which  means  (the talking eagle) – I assume that’s how graceful he did life.  I assume that’s how he was branded with that name.