Prayer Request
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary~ Isaiah 61: 9-11; 1 Sam 2; Luke 2: 41-51
Another memorial with special readings. Isaiah uses wedding imagery to describe robes, garlands and jewels such a festival calls for. And not only the bride and bridegroom but also the very earth is clothed with gardens and life. Hannah’s canticle in response to her conceiving Samuel after a long barrenness is our response, on which either Mary or Luke modeled the Christian Magnificat. Whoever composed that NT song pondered Hannah’s song of rejoicing. Joy is surely one of the emotions of Mary’s heart, but then the gospel demonstrates some other emotions. Mary is anxious, astonished and angry. She has a heart, human in all things, just like us.
Did you ever have a statue of Mary on your dashboard or a favorite picture of her, perhaps an icon? When did she become real for you? As you sometimes do with a good friend, trace how your relationship with Mary grew. What did you talk about? Could you share your heart with her? Could she with you? Be still and invite Mary to tell you about how she is feeling right now.
Find us, Mary. We are lost in this church. We are the church, questioning the teachers of the Law. We want to come home with you, we want to be obedient. Find us!