Reflection for June 12 Saturday The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M): Luke 2:41-51

Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 

Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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Reflection:

The story is told about an octogenarian mother who was confined by her children to a home care facility. After two years of confinement to the home care facility she died. When what was left of her belongings were turned over to her children. They found a daily journal that she wrote; it all contained her longing and prayers for her children and grandchildren.   

When Jesus went missing the most affected was the Blessed Mother. The anguish of Mary is very prominent in the gospel. Why is this so? This is for the reason that our mothers carried us in their wombs for nine months. They were already feeding us, taking care of us and loving us even while we were still in their wombs. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary took care of Jesus from His conception, birth and until death. There is that unbreakable bond that exists between the Blessed Mother and her son Jesus. In the immaculate heart of Mary resides the infinite love that only a mother can give to her son.  

Like the feelings of the Blessed Mother, this is also the thoughts of all mothers they always keep close in their hearts their children. They always pray for them and they always have this longing for them. Sometimes we don't see this externally expressed. But if we could only see what is in their hearts it’s always love, care and longing for their children. – Marino J. Dasmarinas