The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the mysteries of life as we remember how Mary held the mystery of Jesus' work in the Temple in her Immaculate Heart.
Mystery to Ponder
The first reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.
the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.1
Psalm 103 is a thanksgiving for God’s Goodness.
* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22).2
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary and Joseph find the boy Jesus in the Temple.
* [2:41–52] This story’s concern with an incident from Jesus’ youth is unique in the canonical gospel tradition. It presents Jesus in the role of the faithful Jewish boy, raised in the traditions of Israel, and fulfilling all that the law requires. With this episode, the infancy narrative ends just as it began, in the setting of the Jerusalem temple.3
Angela Maynard notes today we remember the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We celebrate the immense love that Mary has for God the Father, Jesus Christ, and others. Mary had a joyful heart, but also experienced heartbreak.
Spend some time reflecting on the incredible love Mary has for all of us as her children. Consider disappointment, or heartbreak we may have caused as a result of how we may treat each other. Think about the grace we are given through the extreme love our Mother Mary has for all of us. “To save the souls of poor sinners, God wishes to establish the devotion to my Immaculate Heart throughout the world.” —Our Lady of Fatima4
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 2:41-51 comments that Luke tells us that they didn’t understand what Jesus meant at that moment. But Mary wanted to understand more fully, so she stored this incident in her heart and pulled it out from time to time to reflect on it. She didn’t just stew over the way Jesus had treated her and Joseph; she asked what it meant. What was it about Jesus’ relationship with his heavenly Father that would move him—a mere youth—to abandon his parents and spend three days in a big city by himself? Only when Jesus began his public ministry could Mary begin to find answers to questions like these.
What does it mean to ponder? It means to sit quietly with our thoughts—and with the Lord. It may also involve a bit of reading to help bolster our understanding or a conversation with a wise friend. This kind of pondering will help us when we want to bring our own reproaches before the Lord. Rather than dwelling on the immediate situation that has disturbed us, prayerful pondering helps us gain a bigger picture—one that has room for God’s love and provision.5
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the passage from 2 Corinthians chosen by the USCCB for today. Jesus Wisdom is displayed as He talks with the sages in the Temple. Friar Jude asks when does Jesus understand that He is the Son of God. Luke may foreshadow Jesus' separation from Mary in the tomb with the incident in the Temple.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that when we remember to pray for our physical bodies, it is usually because something has gone wrong. We are reminded of our human frailty by an ache, an accident, or a diagnosis. Fr Richard offers a poem and prayer that is a psalm of praise for the miraculous nature of our physical existence, in relationship with ourselves, others, and the cosmos.
Thank you for the body that loves me.
The cosmic and mystical body:
it calls me to communion
with creatures and creation;
it manifests your glory
and mine as its child;
it upholds my feet
and heals my body.
Thank you for the body that loves me.6
The mysteries of faith are opportunities to ponder in prayer and perhaps understand better the mysteries in our lives.
References
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