Immaculate Heart of Mary
Readings:
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Luke 2:41-51
Reflection:
Today’s feast follows the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Heart Spirituality. The importance of the heart in our spirituality.
The words from today’s gospel I would like to “ponder” on is “Mary pondered all these things in her heart” Here, Mary was reflecting on Jesus’ words and actions and possibly memorising them so that she could relive/remember them sometime later. Mary most probably didn’t understand everything that she was experiencing and learning about her son.
Earlier in St Luke’s gospel 1:29, at the annunciation, we hear again that Mary pondered on the angel’s message “that she was highly favoured “ and what sort of greeting this might mean.
To ponder is to meditate, deliberate and think deeply so that we can achieve the opening of our spiritual eyes of understanding. Pondering is a deeper process thinking- pondering takes time and allowing God to speak to us.
We ponder on the meaning of life. We ponder on the best way to approach a difficult life situation. When I ponder on something I feel I have taken time to come to the best understanding of the situation and how to respond in the best way possible.
Today let us take the time to ponder on situations that are difficult to understand rather than say the first thing that comes to mind.
Elizabeth Buchel has worked as an educator and psychologist for many years. She is formed in Passionist and Benedictine Spirituality. Elizabeth is a Passionist Companion and has been a active parishioner of St Brigids Marrickville since 1985.