To read the texts click on the texts: Isaiah 61:9-11; Lk 2:41-51
The Memorial of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary is celebrated on the Saturday following the Feast of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus to show the close connection between Mary and her
beloved Son.
This means that every
year the feast is celebrated on the Saturday before the third Sunday following
the feast of Pentecost.
The Immaculate heart of
Mary is a symbol used to represent the interior and exterior life of Mary. It
is used to represent her joys and sorrows, her trials and strength, her love
for her God shown through her determined yes and her love for all humanity shown
in and through the love for her Son.
The Gospel text chosen
for the feast is popularly known as “The Finding in the Temple” and is taken to
mean the finding of Jesus. However, a close look will indicate that Jesus was
never lost. He always knew where he was and where he was supposed to be. It was
Mary and Joseph who were lost without their son.
This text is found only
in the Gospel of Luke and gives us an insight into the childhood of Jesus. It
also indicates the awareness of Jesus even at this young age of who he was and
his relationship with the Father. Even as it does this it also brings out
powerfully the relentless search of Mary for her son. He was the centre of her
life and she would not rest until she found him. What we are searching for
reveals a great deal about who we are.
The Immaculate heart of
Mary reminds us of the response of Mary to the privilege that she received to
be God’s mother. Her response went beyond a mere “yes” or even co-operation and
collaboration with God. Her response let God do in and through her. This may be
termed as a passive activity or an active passivity on the part of Mary. She
became the instrument through which God was able to reveal his son to the
world.
If we like Mary dare to
respond like she did, we too can become instruments in the hands of God and
reveal Jesus to the world.
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