The Blessed Virgin wants to draw us to the heart of Christ by entrusting our hearts to hers
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (June 20, 2020): 2 CHR 24:17-25; PS 89:4-5,29-30,31-32,33-34; 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.
In today’s Gospel, we hear a memorable reference to Mary’s heart.
On this day after revering the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we fittingly honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We find in the heart of the Son of God and of Mary His fathomless love for us. In His mother’s heart we discover her love for Him, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Through her pure and total dedication to God, Mary also loves us because as the Mother of Christ, the Mother of God, she is our mother, too. She longs to bring us ever nearer to the Sacred Heart of her precious Son. Although devotion to the heart of the Blessed Virgin has existed since at least the Middle Ages, it was only in recent centuries that this pious expression has gained popularity around the world. During the appearances of the Blessed Virgin at Fatima, she asked for greater dedication to her Immaculate Heart, in particular the consecration of Russia. Since then, four popes, including Pope Francis, have consecrated the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In today’s Gospel, we hear a memorable reference to Mary’s heart. At age 12, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Holy Family had gone there to celebrate Passover. When Mary and Joseph realized He is not with their caravan, they rushed back and spent three days looking for Him, filled with worry about His welfare. But when they found Jesus He let them know that He saw things differently. “‘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). Mary’s heart embraces her Son and all that concerns Him in a beautiful and unique way. And, she continues to care about His people and to care for us as well. If we dedicate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, we are truly committing ourselves to Her Son and our Savior.
