GOSPEL POWER | JUNE 12, 2021 | SATURDAY | IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY 

Gospel: Lk 2: 41 - 51

Now every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching 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. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Reflection

Out of maternal concern, Mary questions the action of  her young son Jesus. But he replies to her no longer  simply as her little boy but as God’s Son who feels it his duty  to be in his Father’s house. The reply of Jesus brings Mary face to face  again with the mystery which the angel once announced to her, and  in which she agreed to play a part. Mary silently renews her “yes” to  God’s project, which still remains a puzzle to her. Her faith overcomes  the darkness of incomprehension. She opens her heart — the organ of  wisdom and seat of discernment — which alone can grasp what the  mind fails to understand

Prayer

Lord, may we learn from your mother that true wisdom is born from a  discerning heart. Amen.