17 June, 2023 | Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

 Gospel Lk 2:41-51



Each year
Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,

and when he was twelve years old,

they went up according to festival custom.

After they had completed its days, as they were returning,

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,

but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan,

they journeyed for a day

and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

but not finding him,

they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the temple,

sitting in the midst of the teachers,

listening to them and asking them questions,

and all who heard him were astounded

at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him,

they were astonished,

and his mother said to him,

“Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And 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 what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth,

and was obedient to them;

and his mother kept all these things in her heart.


Reflections

Today we remember the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary’s heart was torn to pieces as she discovered that her child Jesus was not with them as they return home to Nazareth. However, amidst the sorrows; the Blessed Mother’s heart is also deeply humble and trusting to the will of God. She carried her sorrow with dignity and deep faith in God that’s why she quietly endured her sufferings.
It means letting go of an identity that is limited to our biological family, it means that we let go of fear about the future and discover that God is here in the present and that all shall be well. We see our life not in opposition to others but as intimately related to and dependent upon others. 
For the mothers who carry their own sufferings may the Immaculate Heart of Mary be your own model of humility, trust and deep faith.



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