The Blessed Virgin Mary opens herself to all of Christ’s children...
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (June 25, 2022): LAM 2:2,10-14,18-19; PS 74:1-2,3-5,6-7,20-21; LK 2:41-51
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
She invites us to draw closer to Him through her Immaculate Heart by imitating her loyalty to her Son, the Son of God.
Yesterday we embraced the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today we salute the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Blessed Virgin was not only the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, but she was also a devoted child of the Almighty. She who bore and cared for our King in her womb, was first and foremost, faithful. She trusted in God with her whole heart. And it is that steadfast heart, dedicated to the Blessed Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- that cooperated with the Divine Will for the salvation of the world. The Blessed Virgin’s Immaculate Heart is the beautiful reflection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And it is to the heart of Mary, our Mother and Queen, that we turn when we need help. She who is known as the refuge of sinners, and comforter of the afflicted, encourages us to imitate her love for her Son and to follow Him wherever He may lead us. We know she stood with Him at the cross, so we must be ready to do the same; always knowing that Jesus will rise from the tomb. And we will too.
Over the centuries, a number of Christians, including many saints, recognized the idea and image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These include St. John Eudes, a 17th priest who was an advocate for devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He wrote that “The most glorious Virgin loves us with a supremely ardent love, because she loves us with the very same love with which she loves the God-Man, her Divine Son Jesus Christ, for she knows that He is our head and we are His members. … Mary’s heart is a burning furnace whose flames reach everywhere, generating more fire and warmth of love for us than ever existed in the hearts of all fathers and mothers toward their children.” Let us resolve to look to Mary’s heart to draw us to Christ. Because if we are near to Mary, we must always be close to her beloved Son.
Suggested missionary action: Today let us offer a World Mission Rosary to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Heart. We can also resolve to say this rosary once a week for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the Church’s missions and all the men, women, and children they serve. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!