Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 2: 41-51
June 17, 2023 | Saturday
Every year, the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast. After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents did not know it.
They assumed that he was in their group of travelers, and, after walking the whole day, they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem, searching for him; and, on the third day, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
His parents were very surprised when they saw him; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you.” Then he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand this answer. Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be obedient to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.
Today’s Reflection:
We celebrate and honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary because aside from the fact that it was sinless, it was the kind of human heart that loves Jesus the most. The celebration invites us to continue loving and trusting Jesus just as Mary does. Our faith also teaches that Mary is immaculate, or sinless, but it does not mean that she is all-knowing. As a human being, she is still subject to progress and growth. Though sinless, she is still teachable. She still needs to listen, ponder, discern, and give assent to God’s mysterious will.
We can never reach the kind of favor that Mary possessed. We are far from her in terms of perfection. This should serve as a reminder for us to be more loving, humble, teachable, discerning, and faithful to God’s will. /Vulnerasti, 2023
