A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTIONS: "his mother kept all these things in her heart"

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A spotless heart from which faith, obedience, humility, graciousness, tenderness were always present. Mt 6:21 , "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What was Mary's treasure--her Son. Mary's most beautiful heart was to endure the "sword of sorrow" prophesied by Simeon. This "sword of sorrow" pierced her heart so deeply when she stood at the foot of the Cross, watching the cruelty of God's creatures to her beloved Son.

But she accepted her son's words to her -- he had to be about his Father' house or doing his will. She was astonished how he spoke and though they did not understand what he said to them, they were amazed . But she humbly pondered his words and actions. And Jesus went down with them and stayed with them. She stayed close to Jesus as Jesus stayed close to her. Doing God's will, will always redirect us to our focus, our goal -- HEAVEN.

And what a more perfect example to follow--our most blessed Mother. Let us silently share with her, our love, thoughts, actions, anxieties, prayers, tears and sufferings -- Mary is always close to Jesus and she will help us when we struggle with understanding God's will in our lives or the lives of our own sons and daughters. She allowed Jesus to redirect her focus and she will redirect us to Jesus.

PRAYER: Most beautiful, Mother. May we be kissed and tickled as you kissed and tickled Jesus, may you dry our tears as you dried Jesus' tears, may you find us when we are lost and may you gently hear our prayers as we struggle in this world. I am amazed and astonished at your ever loving presence in my life. I am sorry for having hurt you and your son, Jesus, with my ingratitude for what he has done for me and failing to do what I am supposed to do. Please pray for me, Mama Mary. Amen

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God Bless.