Saturday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Foreword: During Ordinary Time, the entrance and communion antiphons of the Sunday liturgy are repeated throughout the week. In this way, the themes developed at the Sunday mass are enriched and expanded as they interact with the different readings found on each day of the following week in much the same way that a kaleidoscope presents a constantly changing view of colors, forms, and designs.

Today is the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a celebration that presents Mary as both an image and model of the Church. We see her today in her role as loving Mother of the Savior and as one who meditates upon the marvelous works of God.

As the celebration opens, we hear the words of the entrance antiphon echoing the same sentiments found in Mary’s Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55): My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, who has been bountiful with me (Ps 13:6). We can imagine hearing Mary sing these words as she reflects upon the mysterious and wonderful works of the Lord in her life.

A proper Gospel is used today, taken from St. Luke. It relates the story of the Finding in the Temple. Jesus has suddenly disappeared in the midst of the family’s annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover and his anxious parents search in vain to find their child. They discover in amazement that Jesus is sitting among the teachers in the temple, listening and asking them questions. Jesus’ response amazes them all: Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? (Lk 2:49). As the family returns to their home in Nazareth, St. Luke tells us: …and his mother kept all these things in her heart (Lk 2:51). This is the second time we have heard this expression in this second chapter of the Gospel. The first was after the visit of the shepherds in Bethlehem when they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart (Lk 2:17-19).

In both passages, we hear of Mary pondering the meaning of these events in her life. In this, Mary is a wonderful example for us. It is so easy for us to become distracted and absorbed in the affairs of our daily lives that we fail to remember the great deeds the Lord works in our midst. Mary reminds us to keep these things in our hearts. St. Augustine said …just as Mary gave birth in her womb as a virgin to Christ, so let the members of Christ give birth in their minds, and in this way, you will be mothers of Christ… Our pondering on God’s word allows Christ to take birth in our hearts and in this way we bring forth Christ in the lives of others.

As we sing today’s communion antiphon, Mary treasured all these words, reflecting on them in her heart (Lk 2: 19), let us on meditate God’s intervention in our lives and sing to the Lord who has been bountiful to us.

Thought for today: What are some of the wondrous deeds God has worked in my life?

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB