IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
ISAIAH 61:9–11; PSALM 1 Samuel 2:1–8; LUKE 2:41–51
Today we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. To be immaculate is to be pure. Mary’s heart is pure; for that reason, God found her worthy of divine habitation. The ‘pure in heart’ attracts divine presence and habitation; Matt. 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
The immaculate heart is also the caring heart.In the finding of Jesus in the Temple, Mary manifested a caring and loving heart.A missing child is a parent’s worst nightmare. So, we could imagine what it was for them. Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that all missing children, either through modern slavery, child abuse, or human trafficking, be restored to family life and joy.
Lastly, an immaculate heart is a discerning heart. Hence, she pondered these things in her heart (Luke 24:19). The Gospel also shows that Mary and Joseph never understood Jesus’ response when they came to him in the Temple. Today, the parents of many teenagers do not understand their children’s responses and reactions to issues and trends. Through her immaculate heart, we pray for a for a deeper sense of discernment and truth.
Let us pray
O God, who prepared a fit dwelling place for the Holy Spirit in the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, graciously grant that through her intercession we may be a worthy temple of your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
