Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time. Year II (Immaculate Heart of Mary). Reflection by Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)

Immaculate heart of Mary!
2 Tim. 4:1-8; Luke 2:41-51

Perhaps one of the first things we learn about Mary’s heart is that it’s so so deep with love. Now and again we hear, ‘she kept these things in her heart.’ She never complained, even when there was so much reason to. She always pondered; and for some reason, she was never scared of this God-child she had. In 1944, Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to be celebrated on August 22, which is the octave day of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The feast day was later moved to the Saturday following the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In today’s Gospel reading, Mary says to Jesus; ‘my child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ Friends, only grace can make any heart immaculate (most pure). Since Mary was to be mother of God, it was only proper that her entire being be kept immaculate from conception through the grace of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of that grace is seen in Mary’s absolute desire to do God’s will. We too can be made pure if only we allow Jesus Christ to reform us. May we, through the intercession or Mary’s Immaculate Heart, find courage to always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an Evangelist, and fulfil our ministries as Mary did, Amen.

Good morning dear. Happy Weekend. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Readings for the day

FIRST READING
Do the work of an evangelist, for I am already on the point of being sacrificed. The Lord will award me the crown of righteousness.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

Beloved: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 71:8-9.14- 15ab. 16-17.22 (R. 15ab)
R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

My mouth is filled with your praise,
with your glory, all the day long.
Do not reject me now that I am old;
when my strength fails do not forsake me. R/.

But as for me, I will always hope,
and praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your justice,
and all the day long of your salvation. R/.

R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

I will come with praise of your might, O Lord;
I will call to mind your justice, yours, O Lord, alone.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and I proclaim your wonders still. R/.

So I will give you thanks on the lyre
for your faithfulness, O my God.
To you will I sing with the harp,
to you, the Holy One of Israel. R/.

Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who kept the word of God, and pondered it in her heart.

GOSPEL
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke (Luke 2:41-51)

And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking 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. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?” and they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

The Gospel of the Lord