Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
“The love of Christ impels us,” (2 Cor 5:14). This powerful phrase from St. Paul has inspired Christians for ages. Conception Seminary College, our main apostolate at Conception Abbey, has this as its motto. We are impelled to do all things with and in Christ.
Mary is a perfect example of this maxim. She gave so much to serve Christ. She received St. Gabriel’s message—and the awesome responsibility it entailed—at a very young age. She went in haste after the Annunciation to see her cousin Elizabeth. She gave birth to Jesus in poverty. She and St. Joseph went into Egypt to protect Jesus from King Herod’s wrath.
In today’s Gospel Mary and Joseph frantically searched for Jesus. They both must have thought, “Where has Jesus gone? Why did he leave?” Eventually, they find Jesus in the Temple. This event caused both Joseph and Mary a great deal of stress. Mary pondered all these events in her Immaculate Heart.
Fr. Paul wrote a few weeks ago about how dedicated, self-sacrificing, and caring mothers are—how blessed a mother Mary was! She dedicated and sacrificed so much for her family. St. Joseph did the same. In this year of St. Joseph, it is most appropriate to honor families. Parents make some of the greatest sacrifices in life; doing the thankless tasks of raising and educating tomorrow’s leaders, builders, and visionaries. It’s obvious, yet bears repeating, thank you to all the parents who give so much for their kids. May you find in the Holy Family a model for your labors, and may you find in Mary’s Immaculate Heart a model for your hearts in all times, in all trials and triumphs.
Reflection: “Mary bore all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Let us imitate Mary, our blessed Mother, in pondering deeply all of life’s mysteries.
Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections