The heart of Mary reflects the divine compassion of Almighty God
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (June 9, 2018): 2 TM 4:1-8; PS 71:8-9,14-15,16-17,22; LK 2:41-51
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this day we pay tribute to the Mother of God under the title of her Immaculate Heart.
The Gospels mention her heart twice. The first time was at the Presentation of the Infant Jesus at the temple of Jerusalem, then 12 years later, also at the temple, when Mary and Joseph found the missing Holy Child. “‘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” (Luke 2:49-51).
This feast honors Mary’s spiritual life and all-encompassing devotion to Almighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is celebrated the day after we venerate the Sacred Heart of Jesus. While we recognize Mary’s love for all God’s children and offer gratitude for her motherly heart, it is primarily her total immersion in Divine love that we contemplate today. The Blessed Virgin is the most singular example of commitment to the will and grace of God. She was conceived without sin and intimately associated with the salvation of the world. Now she shows us how to follow the way of her beloved Son in the most ordinary moments and with the most intense bonds. We can seek her guidance in uniting our heart with hers in loving adoration of our gracious Lord.
