THE IMMACULATE HEART
1 Kings 19:19-21,Psalm 15:1-2,5,7-10, LUKE 2:41–51
Today we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Immaculate means pure, spotless or no clutter. Purity attracts God’s presence. Matt 5:8 says “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Mary did not just see God. God moved into her. Purity, not vanity.
Today’s gospel Luke 2:41–51 presents us with the finding in the Temple. They searched for Jesus. Three days of anxiety. When they finally find Him in the temple, Mary says, “Son, why have you treated us so?” See, this is real hurt, crisis and real confusion. A missing child is a parent’s worst nightmare. Yet verse 51 says: “His mother treasured all these things in her heart.”
That is the Immaculate Heart. A heart that bleeds and still treasures. A heart that doesn’t understand, but doesn’t accuse God. A heart that hurts, but doesn’t harden. A heart that loses Him for three days, but never loses faith. A heart that holds pain without bitterness. A heart that stands at the Cross, and doesn’t run. A heart that was pierced by the sword, but not poisoned by sin. A heart that treasures the mysteries, instead of trashing the plan.
Therefore, in Christian spirituality, Immaculate Heart is a heart pierced, but never poisoned. Wounded, but never wicked. Humble but strong, a heart that bleeds but still believe. Human, but wholly God’s. A heart that trust even when it was solely afflicted Ps. 116:10).
The Immaculate Heart mirrors Elisha’s resolve. He slaughtered his oxen, no turning back (1 Kings 19:21). For us to pursue purity, we must burn the bridges to sin (Rom 13:14).
Prayer
Heart of Mary, pierced yet pure, pray that our wounds won’t turn to walls. Make us faithful in the ache, joyful at the dawn. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
