Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

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Gospel
Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And 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 what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

Reflection

On this feast we’re focusing on Mary. And the beauty of Mary is that she was without sin. And so we look for signs in her life that show where we might be taught what it means to not get caught up in the illusion of sin. And it's that she doesn't demand answers. She is open to mystery, how her son came to be within her, what her role would be, how should she care for someone like him?

We need to be more like this beautiful example of Mary. Hold things in our heart, the place where God dwells and wait, and he will reveal who we are and what we're here for.

Closing Prayer

Father, help us to be like Mary. To accept those things that we cannot fully understand. To hold them in a place where you dwell within us, and to wait patiently for answers. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross