In Our Hearts

June 28: The Immaculate Heart of Mary:

The same readings as for Saturday of Week 12 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Psalm 74:1-2, 3-5, 6-7, 20-21;

except for the Gospel: Luke 2:41-51 instead of Matthew 8:5-17

A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know…?” Luke 2:49

Jesus’ first disciples were John and Andrew. When Jesus walked by and they started following him, he turned and asked, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38). It’s the question he asks every person born into this world. It is the starting point of our lives.

When Jesus was separated from his parents and found again in the Temple, he asked: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

All of us who became Christ’s body through Baptism are “his Father’s house.” He said, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). We are never separated from Jesus. He is always with us and in us, acting through us. We are living one life together like a vine with its branches (John 15:1-5). When we look for him, we look in our hearts.

The more we are undivided—unmixed, “pure”—in heart, the more consistently we “keep his word.” Mary’s heart was “immaculate,” “pure,” “full of grace,” because she was totally surrendered, without reserves, to letting God act with her, in her and through her in all she did.

PRAY and PRACTICE:  Keep saying the WIT prayer: “Lord, act with me, act in me, act through me.” Keep yourself aware of Jesus in your heart.