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Immaculate Heart of
Mary
Retreat for the
Retired Sisters of St. Joseph
June 8, 2013
CENTER OF GRAVITY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
For Jewish people at the time of Jesus, the
heart was the center of gravity of the whole person
Ø The point at which the entire weight of a body may be considered as
concentrated so if supported at this point the body would remain in equilibrium
in any position
Ø When today’s Gospel says, “His
mother kept all these things in her heart,” it means that Mary reflected on
what has happened
Ø In this case, finding of her teenage child in temple
Ø She must let the event sink into her very being
Ø She absorbs her experiences with her Son
Ø
They become part of her &
she achieves a balance
MARY’S CENTER OF
GRAVITY ++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Today we celebrate the fact that Mary’s heart
was immaculate
Ø
(1) She was sinless from her conception
Ø
(2) She always cooperated with God’s grace
Ø
So when Mary keeps something in her heart, it
doesn’t get distorted, though may remain mystery
Ø
As in, “They
did not understand what he said to them” It was nevertheless perceived
accurately & w/ love
MARY’S HEART / JESUS’
HEART ++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Mary’s immaculate heart is one with the sacred
heart of her son
Ø
“Do
whatever he tells you,” she says at the marriage feast of Cana
Ø
She wants to save the newlyweds from
embarrassment and she knows Jesus wants to also
Ø
Jesus reaches out to those in need; Mary reaches
out to bring those in need to Jesus
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
We can find much to imitate in the immaculate
heart of Mary: honest observation, prayerful reflection, a spirit of
conversion, a concern for those in need, unselfish love
Ø
As we reflect on the scriptures, as we meditate
on the mysteries of the rosary, we can keep all these things in our heart
Ø
Like Mary, we can make them part of our center
of gravity and the driving force of all our activity
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
