by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
«OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE WAS CATHOLIC»
The Mexican People have a deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe who appeared in the Tepeyac Hill of Mexico City, on December 12, 1531. For them, the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, is more important than Christmas. I confess that I have celebrated with them, many times, this feast in California and I really miss it a lot.
One day, Fr. Lionel, a Portuguese colleague of mine, gave a sermon about the Virgin Mary and tried to explain that Mary was a very devout, normal Jewish girl who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. At a certain point of his sermon, he said that Mary was not Catholic. Of course. She was a devout Jew. When he ended the Mass, a Mexican lady was waiting for him. She approached him and looking very sad and disappointed told my friend. «Father, I didn´t like your sermon».
The priest, who was a very open and kind person, asked her why. She knew that Our Lady had also appeared in Fatima, Portugal. And she knew that my friend Fr. Lionel was also Portuguese. And then she answered: «You said that our Lady was not Catholic. If Our Lady of Fatima was not Catholic, that I don’t know. But Our Lady of Guadalupe has been Catholic during all her life».
NO CATHOLICS IN HEAVEN
I heard a story told by a Protestant minister, a very good friend of mine, that a non-Catholic man died and went to heaven. God welcomed him with love and kindness and expressed his joy for seeing him in Heaven. One of the first questions this man asked God was if there was any Catholic person in Heaven and God answered «No. There are no Catholics in Heaven». He immediately reacted: «Of course. I knew. Catholics changed things in the Bible and were so far away from its teachings».
Then another question: «What about Anglicans»? «No. No Anglicans in Heaven». And the man understood that Anglicans also were not good enough to go to Heaven. «And what about Lutherans and Baptists and Orthodoxies». And God’s answer was always «No. Those denominations are not in heaven». Finally the most important question. «And… what about my Church denomination?» The answer was also «no». This pious man got completely lost. «But God if the members of my denomination who practiced every word in the Bible, if we are not in Heaven, then please tell me: Who is in Heaven». God’s answer was: «My Son. In Heaven I only have sons and daughters. I only created sons and daughters. You, people, are the ones who made that mess. Not me».
CHRIST THE KING
Today, the last Sunday of the Liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. When we talk about kings and Queens we always associate with crowns on their heads and somebody on the top of the pyramid. My interpretation of Christ the King is of a «FEET WASHER». Jesus didn’t come to establish the Catholic Church or any Church. Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of the Father where every human being would be, and feel, that he/she is a son/daughter of God. All human beings are brothers and sisters and all people are owners of the world. The world, food, medicine, and peace, love, kindness will belong to all human beings.
