June 28, 2003 - Saturday, Immaculate Heart of Mary (Memorial)

SATURDAY FOLLOWING THE SECOND SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST OR CORPUS CHRISTI

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary began as early as the twelfth century. During the seventh century in France, St. John Eudes popularized this devotion along with that of the Sacred Heart devotion. Luke's Gospel twice mentions that Mary "kept all these things
in her heart" (Lk 2:51; 2:19), pondering the word of God. The opening prayer for today's Mass speaks of Mary's heart as a home for the Holy Spirit. Mary shows us how to listen to the words the Holy Spirit speaks to us in the depths of our hearts, and to respond in faith.

The Gospel for this memorial is proper.

Readings:
Jdt 13:17-20; 15:9; 1 Sam 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd; Lk 2:46-51

Entrance Antiphon

My heart rejoices in your saving power. I will sing to the Lord
for his goodness to me. (Ps 12:6)

Opening Prayer

Father,
you prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary
to be a fitting home for your Holy Spirit.
By her prayers
may we become a more worthy temple of your glory.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Liturgy of the Word:

1st Reading: Jdt 13:17-20; 15:9

All the people were greatly amazed, so they bowed down and worshiped God, saying with one voice, "Blessed are you, our God, who today have crushed the enemies of your people."

Uzziah said to her, "My daughter, may the Most High God bless you more than all women on earth.

And blessed be the Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has led you to behead the leader of our enemies.

Never will people forget the confidence you have shown; they will always remember the power of God.

May God ensure your everlasting glory, and may he reward and bless you for you have risked your life when your race was humiliated.

You chose instead to do the best before God in order to prevent our downfall."
And all the people said, "Amen! Amen!"

Responsorial Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd

R (see 1) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

"My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory."
R My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

"The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes."
R My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

"The LORD puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich,
he humbles, and also exalts."
R My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

"He raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage."
R My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

Gospel: Lk 2:46-51

On the third day they found Jesus in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents were very surprised when they saw him and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you." Then he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Do you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand this answer.

Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary

The family went up to Jerusalem to accomplish a difficult but joyful pilgrimage. Fulfilling their pious obligation, they wound their way home with relatives and people of their village. After three days, the parents discovered that their young adolescent son had not joined the returning caravan! The frantic search began. The trip back to Jerusalem strained their already tired bodies. When they found him in the Temple, his anxious and exhausted mother expressed to him their concern: why this lack of filial piety? The son dissociates himself from his parents to respond to a higher vocation. The mother says no more, but keeps everything in heart. The young girl who said her "yes" to be a virgin mother must now also say "yes" to letting go of her one treasure in life.

Prayer over the Gifts

Pray, brethren...
Lord,
accept the prayers and gifts we offer
in honor of Mary, the Mother of God.
May they please you
and bring us your help and forgiveness.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Communion Antiphon

Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her
heart. (Lk 2:19)

Prayer after Communion

Let us pray.
          Pause for silent prayer, if this has not preceded.
Lord,
you have given us the sacrament of eternal redemption.
May we who honor the mother of your Son
rejoice in the abundance of your blessings
and experience the deepening of your life within us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

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