Daniel G. Groody - Border of Death, Valley of Life

(7) It was Saturday, when it was still night. He was going in search of the things of God and of Gods messages. (8) And when he arrived at the side of the small hill, in the place called Tepeyac, it was already beginning to dawn.

(9) He heard singing on the summit of the hill: as if different precious birds were singing and their songs would alternate, as if the hill was answering them. Their song was most pleasing and very enjoyable, better than that of the Coyoltotol, or of the Tzinizcan or of the other precious birds that sing.

(10) Juan Diego stopped and said to himself: By chance do I deserve this? Am I worthy of what I am hearing? Maybe I am dreaming? Maybe I only see this in my dreams? Where am I? (11) Maybe I am in the Land of my ancestors, of the elders, of our grandparents? In the Land of Flower, in the Earth of our flesh? Maybe over there inside of heaven?

(12) His gaze was fixed on the summit of the hill, toward the direction from which the sun arises: the beautiful celestial song was coming from there to here. (13) And when the song finally ceased, when everything was calm, he heard that he was being called from the summit of the hill. He heard: dignified Juan, dignified Juan Diego.

(14) Then he dared to go to where he was being called. His heart was in no way disturbed, and in no way did he experience any fear, on the contrary, he felt very good, very happy.

(15) He went to the top of the hill and he saw a lady who was standing and who was calling him to come closer to her side.

(16) When he arrived in her presence, he marveled at her perfect beauty. (17) Her clothing appeared like the sun and it gave forth rays.

(18) And the rock and the cliffs where she was standing, upon receiving the rays like arrows of light, appeared like precious emeralds, appeared like jewels; the earth glowed with the splendors of the rainbow. The mesquites, the cacti and the weeds that were all around appeared like feathers of the quetzal and this stems like turquoise; the branches, the foliage and even the thorns sparkled like gold.

(19) He bowed before her, heard her thought and word which were exceedingly recreative, very ennobling, alluring and producing love. (20) She said: Listen, my most abandoned son, dignified Juan: where are you going?

(21) And he answered: My Owner and my Queen: I have to go to your house of Mexico-Tlatelolco, to follow the divine things which our priests, who are the images of Our Lord, give to us. (22) Then she conversed with him and unveiled her precious will. She said: Know and be certain in your heart,

(23) I very much want and ardently desire that my hermitage be erected in this place. In it I will show and give to all people all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection. (24) Because I am your merciful mother and the mother of all the nations that live on this earth who would love me, who would speak with me, who would search for me and who would place their confidence in me.

(25) There I will hear their laments and remedy and cure all their miseries, misfortunes, and sorrows.

(26) And for this merciful wish of mine to be realized, go there to the palace of the Bishop of Mexico, and you will tell him in what way I have sent you as messenger, so that you may make known to him how I very much desire that he build me a home right here, that he may erect my temple on the plain. You will tell him carefully everything you have seen and admired and heard.

(27) Be absolutely certain that I will be grateful and will repay you, and because of this I will make you joyful; I will give you happiness and you will earn much that will repay you for your trouble and your work in carrying out what I have entrusted to you.