Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“And his mother kept all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)
Today’s memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary directs us to look at Mary’s interior life. In the Gospels, we read twice that Mary kept things in her heart: today’s Gospel passage when she and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple and in Luke 2:19 when the shepherds told Mary and Joseph what the angels said. Therefore, Mary is a model of prayer for us, so we can learn from her how to pray with and see God in the events and interactions with people in our lives.
She is also a model of faith for us. We see that through the joys and sorrows of life, she remained faithful to God. Even when life seemed uncertain, such as facing the prospect of being an unwed mother (Luke 1:26-38), her love for God didn’t waver and she fully responded to the love of God. We are called to take on that same disposition. Through the heart of Mary, may we also remain steadfast in our faith and respond fully to God’s love.
Additionally, today’s readings can be a metaphor for our spiritual lives. Like Mary and Joseph in today’s Gospel reading, many of us search for Jesus or something like him. In the first reading, Paul told Timothy not to be discouraged when others don't accept sound doctrine and veer away from the truth by finding other teachers and following their own whims. In our own search for truth, how many of us or people we know try to find it in places that are not Jesus? Many people often fall into the trap of society’s message of finding fulfillment in material wealth, status, youthfulness, etc. However, peace in life is not found in these things but in God. As St. Augustine is often quoted saying, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” We are called to seek God with open hearts and to love God wholeheartedly as Mary did.
I first professed vows as a Marianist Sister on this memorial a few years ago. I cannot help but think that I can learn from Mary about how my vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability are a response to God’s love for me; how I can reach out to others so as to extend God’s love to them; and how peace in found in making God the center of my life. I hope today’s memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and readings helped you reflect on how to love God as Mary does.
May the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen. (Marianist Doxology)
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI