Mary is the model of dedication to God.

Her willingness to bear Jesus,

and her unwavering faith throughout his life,

especially at the foot of the cross,

are seen as examples of profound

devotion and trust in God's will.

 

St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr and doctor 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 18:1-15*

Abraham (...)

Saw three men standing nearby. (...) He bowed to the ground and said, "My Lord,

if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought.

Wash your feet and then rest under the trees.

I shall fetch some bread so that you can be refreshed and continue on your way,

since you have come to your servant." They then said, "Do as you say." (...)

 

Abraham then ran to the herd, took a fine, tender calf, gave it to the servant who hurried to prepare it.

He took butter and milk and together with the calf he had prepared laid it all before them.

And while he remained standing, they ate. They then asked, "Where is Sarah, your wife?"

Abraham answered, "She is in the tent." And the visitor said,

"At this same time next year I will return and Sarah by then will have a son." (...)

 

Lk 1:46-47, 48-49, 50 & 53, 54-55 The Lord has remembered his mercy.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Luke 2:41-51

Every year, the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover,

as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast.

After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents did not know it.

 

They assumed that he was in their group of travelers, and, after walking the whole day,

they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem,

searching for him; and, on the third day, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers,

listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

 

His parents were very surprised when they saw him; and his mother said to him, "Son,

why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you."

Then 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 this answer.

Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be obedient to them.

As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Their hearts are united in love."

Just as Mary stood by the cross of Jesus, so the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary stands beside that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Their hearts are united in love and totally dedicated to doing God's will.

Mary's heart has the qualities of purity, compassion, reflection and dedication.

 

Conceived without original sin, Mary, in full freedom, chooses continually to follow God's will,

and so now lives in the glory of heaven, having offered herself as the handmaid of the Lord (Lk 1:38).

Mary pondered the marvels of God and stored them up in her heart, so that in recognizing God's hand at work,

she might give praise to him in rejoicing (1:46-55).

 

Mary has a deep compassion for the needs of others and intercedes on our behalf for what we lack (Jn 2:3).

Mary is the model of dedication to God, even when she did not understand what was happening.

Mary is desperate to find her lost son, whom she discovers is not lost but at work, doing his Father's will.

Thus, in joy and sorrow, she remains faithful, always saying yes to the Lord, always uniting her heart to God's.

Mary, make our hearts like yours!