Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary: A Contemplating Heart

Reflection on Today's Readings and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Texts: 2Ch. 24:17-25; Ps. 89:4,5,29-34; Mtt. 6:24-34
A heart closed to that of Jesus is the heart of Mary. Motherly is so strong that God often compare his with that of a mother. The heart of Mary is the heart that often pondered on the mystery of the life of Jesus. When angel Gabriel greeted her, Luke says of her thus: "She was deeply disturbed by the words and asked herself what this greeting could mean" (1:29). The mystery of incarnation, the word taken flesh, would not stop amazing Mary and so she did not stop pondering on it.
She pondered on the message of the angels reported by the shepherds that her new baby was a fulfilment of the promise made to David (Luke 2:10-11,17-19). Today's psalm recounts this promise: "I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your descendants forever and set up your throne through all ages. I will keep my faithful love for him always; with him my covenant shall last". Mary pondered on the mystery of the life of Jesus (Luke 2:51b). The heart of Mary was the first to contemplate the mystery of the Word that took flesh.
The heart of Mary pondered on the passion of Jesus Christ and also shared in it. At the foot of the cross she was there pondering on her Son's passion and sharing in it (John 29:25).
The heart of Mary also pondered on her Son's resurrection and welcome the Holy Spirit, her spouse, once again at Pentecost.

• Blessed Virgin Mary lived an exemplary life of contemplation for us to follow. Our hearts become pure by meditating on  the mystery of the life of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The psalmist says, "In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you" (119:11). Meditating on the word of God could also make our hearts wiser, for it is said, "I am wiser than all my teachers because I ponder your instructions" (119:99).

Meditating on the word of God helps us to know what is the most important in life: the kingdom of God. If we meditate on the word of God, we will know that our anxiety cannot add any cubit to our life span and that material things are nothing but vanity. Meditating on the word of God activates our trust in God's Providence.
Evil increases in society when people do not meditate on the wonders of God, either in creation or in scriptures. That was the case in the first reading. In the first reading there was a rejection of God. It is written thus: "And they forsook the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idol". They forsook the house, where they read and meditated on the word of God.
Mary has taught us by her life how to keep our hearts immaculate and be faithful to God. Then, let us take the advice of the wise: "More than all else, keep your heart, since here are the wellspring of life (Pr. 4:23).

Lord Jesus, pour clean water upon us and cleanse our hearts that we might be pleasing to you. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke