4 June 2016 - queen of hearts

[ Today's Readings ]

He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

Today we are invited to have a heart as wide and all-embracing as the heart of Mary. It is are heart which does not insist on understanding everything.

“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.

But it is a heart that trusts nonetheless. It is a heart which can still feel anxiety.

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.

But it is a heart that pursues Jesus all the more at such times. It is not thrown off by unexpected circumstances, unwanted detours, even lost children. It is a heart that pushes through these things to the presence of Jesus. And because it does it is able to see and take in the wonder of his presence.

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.

After three days they find him. It is a heart that can bear the full pain of the passion and yet continue to trust and pursue Jesus until the dawning of Easter morning. Weeping may come with the dawn, but a heart like this always ends rejoicing (see Psalm 30:5)

But I will always hope
and praise you ever more and more.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.

A heart like the Immaculate Heart of Mary persists in season and out of season whether it is convenient or inconvenient in service of the Word of God. Such hearts are not diverted by myths. They do not seek teachers after their own liking. They are self-possessed in all circumstances. And even if they meet apparent failures they transform such things into libations and offerings to God. Such hearts cannot fail.

For I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.