Immaculate Heart Of Mary

Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19
Lk 2:41-51

So great are the advantages we reap from the incarnation of the Son of God and Mary’s FIAT, and so incomprehensible is the goodness which He has displayed in this wonderful mystery that this ought to be our primary object of all our devotions.
Today’s feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is closely connected to the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus which was celebrated yesterday (Mother and Son; Two hearts inseparable).
At Paray -le-Monial and at Fatima from the very beginning of each account, God wills that the devotion and reparation should be made for our sins and the sins of others. Reparation is the chief request of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as it is of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Reparation to one Heart is reparation to the other heart and both are directed to Eucharistic reparation as it’s highest form. Jesus is the source of all graces and it is through Mary -Mediatrix of all graces that they come.

The Immaculate Heart leads to the Sacred Heart. She was the Throne, Tabernacle and Ark of the Testament to contain, not corruptible manna, but the Author of the incorruptible life of our souls. Whether at the presentation in the Temple or Finding Jesus in the Temple (as seen in today’s gospel) and throughout all the mysteries SHE PONDERED THEM IN HER HEART. In her heart of heart, all was for Jesus.
We too, must be aware that deep within, in our heart of hearts is where we meet the Divine, where we encounter the Mystery that is beyond words or explanation. God invites us to come deeper, to trust more fully, to ENTER INTO THE SILENCE. This is where we are fed and nurtured with the wisdom and spirit of God.

We are surrounded with so much activities these days, and even church responsibilities that we do not make the time to get in touch with our HEART TIME. Mary had many instances where she pondered many things in her heart. She found peace in her heart of hearts, the space she alone could interact with God. This was her holy space where she gained strength to meet the challenges of daily life as the mother of Jesus. Let’s make the effort to set time aside to just BE, to enter into that holy space where we meet our God, where we can receive nourishment for the journey and be truly at peace.

Are you feeling worried or overburdened? How can we not feel anguish today? Ten thousand children die daily from chronic poor nutrition. Soaring food prices driven by the war in Ukraine, persistent drought due to climate change in some countries, at times combined with conflict, and the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19, are driving up food insecurity worldwide. And food insecurity is just one among many interconnected global crises we are facing.Sometimes it feels as if numbness is safer than giving ourselves over to lament in the face of such excruciating violence and suffering. Yet the Book of Lamentations invites us beyond the temptation to numbness, witnessing to our deep human need for collective lament in the face of incomprehensible realities.

In the office of the reading, Saint Lawerence Justinian said,
“Imitate her, O faithful soul. Enter into the temple of your heart that you may be purified in spirit and cleansed of the pollution of your sins.”In March, Pope Francis, Consecration Prayer, March 25, 2022. Pope Francis asked us to join him in consecrating all humanity to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  “Turn to Mary,” he invited, “and knock at the door of her heart,” saying “We are your beloved children. In every age you make yourself known to us, calling us to conversion. At this dark hour, help us and grant us your comfort. Say to us once more: ‘Am I not here, I who am your Mother?’”

Today’s Feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary therefore, offers us comfort and courage in our grief and lament. Why don’t you spend some time resting in God’s loving embrace, that can only happen deep in your heart of hearts.

Immaculate Heart of Mary- pray for us. Amen.
God bless.
Osho