Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1944 to be celebrated on 22 August, coinciding with the traditional octave day of the Assumption. In 1969, Pope Paul VI moved the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the Saturday, immediately after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This means in practice that it is now held on the third Saturday after Pentecost.
At the same time as he closely associated the celebrations of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Paul VI moved the celebration of the Queenship of Mary from 31 May to 22 August, bringing it into association with the feast of her Assumption. Those who use the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal or an earlier one (but not more than 17 years before 1962) observe the day established by Pius XII.
- Wikipedia
2 Tim 4:1-8
Lk 2:41-51
…proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it.
I’m sure it wasn’t convenient for Mary and Joseph to leave the caravan and travel a day’s journey back to Jerusalem, and then search for three days. But love is the reason we do many inconvenient things, isn’t it.
Then, after looking for three days all over Jerusalem (let’s not miss the depth of meaning of looking for three days) they find their son and explain to him what they’ve been going through. Jesus says, “Why were you LOOKING for me? This question from Jesus to his parents always seemed a little off to me – in many ways, until recently when I read a reflection about Jesus’ question. The perspective being that since both Mary and Joseph know WHO Jesus is, where else would he be, but in His Father’s house? That brings me peace.
The first reading goes down an entirely different road — reminding us to be steadfast and stay on the path of God, even when it is inconvenient. We choose the road we walk — the road that leads to eternal darkness, or the road that leads to eternal light. We read words that seem to have been written in the last few days… “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.” Two thousand years later, and it seems that nothing has really changed within our human nature. As I said yesterday, it is so much easier to look down – to fall into the decadence of the world. We hear a constant barrage these days, coming to us from all sides, of half-truths and out and out lies. People speaking from positions and uniforms of honour and respect who are actually doing the work (even if by their own ignorance due to their lack of diligence of searching for Truth) of the devil.
So what is the commonality between the first reading and the gospel today? I am sure there is more than one lesson for all of us, but today the commonality I see is that those closest to God are willing to walk the inconvenient path daily. How can we be sure that we are close to God so that we walk the inconvenient path with Him, and not just a convenient path near Him (that oftentimes veers ever so slightly in the opposite direction)? Daily prayer. Daily scripture. Daily gratitude. Daily dialogue. The quality of each, and the quantity of each is vital. Time purposefully spent communicating with God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit daily.
Today’s scripture tells us, there is a crown of righteousness awaiting us – will we live the life we are called to live on this earth, no matter what crown this world assigns us, so that we will receive the crown of righteousness that God has for us? With what seems to be the world around us is ‘living life upside down’ it is THE time for us to live fully grounded in the inconvenience of the Catholic way of life. Like the disciples. It certainly wasn’t convenient for them – so why would we expect it to be convenient, or comfortable – for us to live the Gospel?
It surely was inconvenient for Jesus to leave His throne in Heaven for you and me – but love makes us all do inconvenient things, does it not? And then we receive the joy of heaven when we do – on this earth and in our eternity.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gina Ulicny)
Prayer: Father God, how we want to walk the path you have for us, even when it is inconvenient and rocky and dirty – and yet we desire comfort and convenience. Father, we ask you to help us see your Hand in our daily lives and to reject the convenience and fame of this world, so that we will be able to accept the glory of the crown you have for us in Heaven.
Thanksgiving: With grateful hearts we thank You, Lord for all that You have placed in our paths so that we know You. Your generosity in giving us brothers and sisters in Christ to support us, pick us up and walk the inconvenient path together, amidst the beauty and comfort that You also shower on us.
OXYGEN 
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