May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 12th June 2021. We celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In his book, “The Admirable Heart of Mary,” St. John Eudes, the Immaculate Heart’s Father, Doctor and Apostle explains the need for the devotion from the inspirational sharing Lucia to whom Mother Mary communicated with her several occasion. Mother Mary is so pure and full of grace and holiness. Mother Mary lived a life for the Lord, and in the Lord. A heart that was offered purely and sincerely for the service and will of God without any reservation.
We reflect from 2 Cor 5:14-21 and the Gospel from Luke 2:41-51.
St. Paul encourages to heal the strained relationship in our ecclesial encounters with one another.
Mary remains as an authentic model of holiness that provides peace and happiness in full in Jesus. The integration of mind and heart manifested in the life of Mary by being there for the Lord Jesus and doing God’s will daily. “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mk 3:34)”. She is immaculate because of heart for the needy. Her motherly sensitivity towards the family at the marriage at Cana stands out to remind us of our responsibility towards the others. There was no selfish agenda or seeking popularity by doing service to those in need. She is the Immaculate Mother who always takes us near Jesus.
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Through Her obedience, humility, love and doing the will of God, She inspires us to be the Immaculate Heart to the entire humanity.
Without suffering there is no way to be pure. The Immaculate Heart of Mary was pierced because she had to go through sorrows and suffering with, for and through Jesus. as we have read in the Gospel. We too have a devotion of seven Hail Mary prayer in remembrance of the seven sorrows that pierced the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
We are all invited to radiate the love of Christ by reflecting not rejecting, embracing not exhibiting, endearing not dominating, caring not controlling, like that of our Mother Mary. The purpose of the memorial is to unite all human hearts to experience the love of God as experiences purely and perfectly by Mary, the Immaculate Heart.
We too need to dedicate completely, and trust Jesus in all we do. Mary’s heart is that rushes to render all help needed for those in need and able treasure the Word and made flesh. Her heart was able to feel the need of Elizabeth and she rushed to be at the beck and call of her without asserting her as the Mother of God. The Immaculate Heart is always willing to embrace the will of God. at times, we complain, condemn and curse God when faced with suffering, pain, loss, and uncertainties. Just like the Immaculate Heart, let us recommend, intercede, and plead God for the needs of the others when we witness poverty, pain, hopelessness, and humiliation unfolding in front of our eyes.
As our Mother Mary intercede for the humanity to love and lean on Her only Beloved Son Jesus, so let us lead others to Christ by healing the wounds of the hurtful humanity. Let us emulate the Immaculate Heart of Mary in loving and making sacrifices for the sins we have committed against the suffering humanity. May God bless you. Have a peaceful day ahead.