The Heart of Mary: the place where all things are stored

June 17, Saturday of the 10th week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Daily Readings: Isaiah 61:9-11; 1 Samuel. 2:4-5,6-7.8abcd; Gospel: Luke. 2:41-51

The day after we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Church invites us to meditate on the most sacred heart of Our Lady. It is said that Mary did not understand the meaning of Jesus' answer and only kept the incident in her heart, even though, in the end, Jesus came home with them. Jesus' reaction was to answer, showing that He is God and not just an ordinary man. He said, “Why are you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?” (Luke 2:49). Humanly, this reaction of Jesus must have angered Mary and Joseph. But it wasn't. Mary and Joseph did not understand Jesus' words. As a child and parents, the three of them returned to Nazareth. Jesus grew in wisdom and size and became more loved by God and people.

In Semitic languages, the word "to keep in heart" means to ponder on something over and over until you understand why something happened. Finally, Mother Mary understood that with that answer, Jesus wanted to say that He was the Son of God who had to do the will of His Father in this world. Mother Mary surrendered the events she had just experienced to God.

One thing that catches our attention is that Our Lady and St. Joseph had parental responsibilities. Mother Mary, God's servant, keeps everything in her heart. The Sacred Heart of Mother Mary is where all things are stored, both the things of her Son and us as humans. The heart of Our Lady that we always greet and ask is: "Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."