Virtues of Mary

June 8, Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Readings: 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Luke 2:41-51

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Mary's Immaculate Heart.

In the Gospel, Mary kept all these things in her heart upon discovering that Jesus was not with them as they returned to their hometown after attending the Passover feast in Jerusalem.

When they found him after three days, sitting with the elders in the temple, Mary, 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.”

But he answered them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be at my father’s house? Mary kept all these things in her heart.

If this scenario occurs in a typical mother-child relationship, the child may receive reprimands and other forms of discipline. After all, the child committed the great mistake of getting away from the group without asking permission.

But in the Gospel, Mary hid her inner feelings, even though she was anxious. It shows that she ponders all of these apprehensions on her own. Though maybe she cannot comprehend what Jesus told her—that he is in his father’s house—she is still happy to find him safe. Her maternal love for Jesus is very admirable.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: As we celebrate the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we celebrate the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her son Jesus, and her compassionate love for all persons.

Lord Jesus, may Mama Mary, your mother, be our model of virtue. Amen.