Reflection for Saturday June 28 Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 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:

Have we experienced the feeling of fear and uncertainty? 

Every one of us, at some point, has felt fear and uncertainty. For example, when a loved one is rushed to the hospital for an emergency, our hearts are gripped by fear, and our minds are clouded with worry about what might happen next. Amidst the anxiety and fear, who alone can give us the peace to calm down? It is none other than God, to whom we run in deep and humble prayer. 

When Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary realized that the child Jesus was not with them, they must have felt deep fear and anxiety as well. But even in the midst of these troubling emotions, they remained calm and peaceful because they were faithful worshippers of God, trusting fully in His divine providence. 

Perhaps deep in their hearts, they knew that God would lead them to find Jesus safe and sound. And so, they returned to search for Him, and they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. 

Today, as we celebrate the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we remember her heart overflowing with love for her Son and for Saint Joseph, her faithful spouse. We remember her Immaculate Heart, filled with humility and surrender to the will of God, even in the most painful moments of her life. 

May we pray that our hearts may become like the heart of our Blessed Mother: A heart overflowing with humility and trust in God.  A heart willing to embrace suffering for the love of God. A heart deeply rooted in faith, love, and service to others. A heart that remains pure, for it does not keep a record of wrongs nor harbor hatred, but instead forgives as God forgives us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas