In Her Heart

June 16, 2012

Memorial of The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you."  Elijah answered, "Go back!  Have I done anything to you?"  Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat.  Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.  1 Kings 19:20-21

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.  Luke 2:46-47

Piety

The Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heavenly beauty and splendor of the Father, You are the most valued Heavenly treasure.
New Eve, immaculate in soul, spirit and body, Created of the godly seed by the Spirit of God, You are the spiritual Mother of mankind.
Pure Virgin, full of grace then and now, Your whole being was raised Heavenly in full glory, To be elevated above all the hosts within the Kingdom of God.
O Heavenly Mother, Queen of Heaven and earth, I recognize the glory of your highest title, The Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Loving Mother, dispenser of endless blessings, You who continuously intercedes on our behalf, Please present my need before your loving Son Jesus.
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I know that you are now presenting my need before Jesus, For you have never turned away those in dire need.
Mother dearest, I await your favorable answer, Submitting myself to the Divine will of the Lord, For all glories are His forever and ever. Amen

Study

How many ways do scriptures show us that we have to change the direction in which we are looking for happiness?

Today, we have two very different examples of behavior change to model.  First, Elisha leaves his old way of life to follow Elijah.  Elisha went so far as to totally destroy the old ways symbolized by the oxen used to plow his fields.  There was no turning back at this point.

Mary and Joseph did have to turn back literally.  They had left Jerusalem and did not realize that Jesus stayed behind preaching and changing the hearts and minds of those assembled who listened.  Even though Mary and Joseph had both accepted the mission that the Lord had chosen for them to raise Jesus, sometimes, they still acted like normal parents who lost a child in a crowded shopping mall.

However, Jesus was no ordinary lost boy.  He did not run to the security guard for help.  Rather, he remained in his comfort zone -- the temple -- teaching.  When confronted by his parents, he was amazed that they did not first look in the temple. 

Rather than reprimand the pre-teenager, Mary kept this and all else in the silence of her heart. 

Elisha gives us the example to change and Mary gives us the example that change may still involve disappointments and conflict.  She was probably as astounded at his reply to her as were the people in the temple were to his teachings.  Yet, Mary takes on that hurt internally and keeps those feelings in her heart.

Action

What hurt are you keeping bottled up?  In your prayer and action, offer that to the Lord.  In your own words, make your special request to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as you would speak to another person, begging our Heavenly Mother to plea to Jesus on your behalf, that you be granted this special request.