Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-19-04, Memorial,Immaculate Heart of Blessed Virgin Mary

From: Luke 2:41-51

The Finding in the Temple

[41] Now his (Jesus') parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast
of the Passover. [42] And when he was twelve years old, they went up
according to custom; [43] and when the feast was ended, as they were
returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did
not know it, [44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a
day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintances; [45] and when they did not find him, they returned to
Jerusalem, seeking him. [46] And after three days they found him in the
temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them
questions; [47] and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding
and his answers. [48] And when they saw him they were astonished; and
his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your
father and I have been looking for you anxiously." [49] And he said to
them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in
my Father's house?" [50] And they did not understand the saying which
he spoke to them.

The Hidden Life of Jesus at Nazareth

[51] And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient
to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

Commentary:

41. Only St Luke (2:41-50) reports the event of the Child Jesus being
lost and then found in the temple, which we contemplate in the "Fifth
Joyful Mystery" of the Rosary.

Only males aged twelve and upwards were required to make this journey.
Nazareth is about 100 km (60 miles) from Jerusalem as the crow flies,
but the hilly nature of the country would have made it a trip of 140
km.

43-44. On pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the Jews used to go in two
groups--one of men, the other of women. Children could go with either
group. This explains how they could go a day's journey before they
discovered the Child was missing when the families regrouped to camp.

"Mary is crying. In vain you and I have run from group to group, from
caravan to caravan. No one has seen him. Joseph, after fruitless
attempts to keep from crying, cries too.... And you.... And I.

'Being a common little fellow, I cry my eyes out and wail to heaven and
earth..., to make up for the times when I lost him through my own fault
and did not cry" ([St] J. Escriva, "Holy Rosary", Fifth Joyful Mystery).

45. The concern which Mary and Joseph show in looking for the Child
should encourage us always to seek Jesus out, particularly if we lose
him through sin.

"Jesus, may I never lose you again.... Now you and I are united in
misfortune and grief, as were united in sin. And from the depths of our
being comes sighs of heartfelt sorrow and burning phrases which the pen
cannot and should not record" ("Holy Rosary", Fifth Joyful Mystery).

46-47. The Child Jesus must have been in the courtyard of the temple,
which was where the teachers usually taught. Listeners used to sit at
their feet, now and again asking questions and responding to them.
This was what Jesus did, but his questions and answers attracted the
teachers' attention, he was so wise and well-informed.

48. Ever since the Annunciation our Lady had known that the Child Jesus
was God. This faith was the basis of her generous fidelity throughout
her life--but there was no reason why it should include detailed
knowledge of all the sacrifices God would ask of her, nor of how Christ
would go about his mission of redemption: that was something she would
discover as time went by, contemplating her Son's life.

49. Christ's reply is a form of explanation. His words--his first words
to be recorded in the Gospel--clearly show his down Sonship; and they
also show his determination to fulfill the will of his Eternal Father.
"He does not upbraid them--Mary and Joseph--for searching for their
son, but he raises the eyes of their souls to appreciate what he owes
him whose Eternal Son he is" (St Bede, "In Lucae Evangelium Expositio,
in loc."). Jesus teaches us that over and above any human authority,
even that of our parents, there is the primary duty to do the will of
God. "And once we are consoled by the joy of finding Jesus--three days
he was gone!--debating with the teachers of Israel (Lk 2:46), you and I
shall be left deeply impressed by the duty to leave our home and family
to serve our heavenly Father" ([St] J. Escriva, "Holy Rosary", Fifth Joyful
Mystery"). See note on Mt 10:34-37.

50. We must remember that Jesus knew in detail the whole course his
earthly life would take from his conception onwards (cf. note on Lk
2:52). This is shown by what he says in reply to his parents. Mary and
Joseph realized that his reply contained a deeper meaning which they
did not grasp. They grew to understand it as the life of their Child
unfolded. Mary's and Joseph's faith and their reverence towards the
Child led them not to ask any further questions but to reflect on
Jesus' words and behavior in this instance, as they had done so on
other occasions.

51. The Gospel sums up Jesus' life in Nazareth in just three words:
"erat subditus illis", he was obedient to them. "Jesus obeys, and he
obeys Joseph and Mary. God has come to the world to obey, and to obey
creatures. Admittedly they were very perfect creatures--Holy Mary, our
mother, greater than whom God alone; and that most chaste man Joseph.
But they are only creatures, and yet Jesus, who is God, obeyed them. We
have to love God so as to love his will and desire to respond to his
calls. They come to us through the duties of our ordinary life--duties
of state, profession, work, family, social life, our own and other
people's difficulties, friendship, eagerness to do what is right and
just" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 17).

Jesus lived like any other inhabitant of Nazareth, working at the same
trade as St Joseph and earning his living by the sweat of his brow.
"His hidden years are not without significance, nor were they simply a

preparation for the years which were to come after--those of his public
life. Since 1928 I have understood clearly that God wants our Lord's
whole life to be an example for Christians. I saw this with special
reference to his hidden life, the years he spent working side by side
with ordinary men. Our Lord wants many people to ratify their vocation
during years of quiet, unspectacular living. Obeying God's will always
means leaving our selfishness behind, but there is no reason why it
should entail cutting ourselves off from the normal life of ordinary
people who share the same status, work and social position with us.

"I dream--and the dream has come true--of multitudes of God's children,
sanctifying themselves as ordinary citizens, sharing the ambitions and
endeavors of their colleagues and friends. I want to shout to them
about this divine truth: If you are there in the middle of ordinary
life, it doesn't mean Christ has forgotten about you or hasn't called
you. He has invited you to stay among the activities and concerns of
the world. He wants you to know that your human vocation, your
profession, your talents, are not omitted from his divine plans. He has
sanctified them and made them a most acceptable offering to his Father"
([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 20).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

FEAST OF THE DAY

The Saturday after the feast of Corpus Christi is devoted to the
Blessed Mother and focuses our attention on the mystery of her
Immaculate Heart. This feast began to be celebrated during the
seventeenth century bringing together centuries of devotion to the
heart of Mary. St. John Eudes spent much of his life working to
spread devotion to this feast.

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a feast day devoted to
Mary and especially examines her life of purity. Many times the heart
is used to symbolize the inmost depths of our humanity. This feast
emphasizes the fact that Mary's whole being was pure and free of
the stain of sin for the whole of her life. Through her love and
devotion to God, Mary was chosen as the resting-place of the Holy
Spirit mother of the Most High.

The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a counterpart of the
feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which we celebrated yesterday.
Both feasts serve as an example to the faithful by showing us fellow
human beings so devoted to the love and will of God that they
overcame every temptation to sin.

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary has gained wide appeal in
this century. At Mary's apparition at Fatima, this theme was
expressed by the Blessed Mother to the three children. In 1942,
Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary and added today's feast to the liturgical calendar of the Church.
In 1996 this feast was elevated to the status of an obligatory
memorial.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Even while living in this world, the heart of Mary was so filled with
tenderness and compassion for men, that no one ever suffered so
much for his own pains as Mary suffered for the pains of others. -St. Jerome

TODAY IN HISTORY

325 The month-long Council of Nicea closes. This first ecumenical
council in the history of the Church formulated the Nicene Creed and
established the method for calculating the date of Easter
1977 Paul VI canonized John Nepomucene Neumann the fourth
bishop of Philadelphia who is remembered for developing the
parochial school system.

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The Camalolese, or the Order of Camaldoli was founded by St.
Romauld (whose feast is usually celebrated on this day) around the
year 1012 as an effort to bring the hermetic life of the desert
monastics to the West. The Order follows a strict interpretation of the
Rule of St. Benedict and focuses on contemplative prayer through
solitude, silence and fasting. The Order is still existent today, having
more than 200 members and houses throughout Italy.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all victims of abuse.

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Amen.

--Venerable Pope Pius XII

The Word Among Us

Saturday, June 19, 2004

Meditation
Luke 2:41-51

Don’t you find it amazing that Jesus seemed surprised that Mary and Joseph didn’t know to look for him in the Temple? Reading this story can give you the sense that his parents were hopelessly oblivious. But what it really highlights is the determination and focus that Jesus had, even as a young boy!

This sense of Jesus’ determination is a theme that Luke continues to sound throughout his Gospel. In a number of different scenes, Luke portrays Jesus as bound and determined to bring us back to the Father, even if it meant he had to suffer tremendously to see it happen. For instance, Luke tells us that Jesus resolutely “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). He describes how, in the face of Herod’s threat, Jesus replied, “Today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem” (13:33). He even tells us that Jesus considered himself to be under “stress” until his mission was accomplished (12:50)!

How did Jesus maintain such determination? By letting nothing distract him from his relationship with his Father. In Luke 5:16, we hear how Jesus made it a point to “withdraw to deserted places and pray.” And then in the next chapter, we see Jesus praying through the night before choosing his apostles (6:12-13). He prayed during his baptism, before his transfiguration, and just before he asked the twelve who they thought he was (3:21; 9:18,29). By staying so close to his Father, Jesus was able to filter out all the temptations and distractions that could have kept him from his mission.

What was true for Jesus is just as true for us. It’s in prayer that we will discern God’s calling, and it is in prayer that we will find the strength, wisdom, and comfort we need to live it out. Remember, Jesus is in heaven interceding for you—and all of us—right now. He is standing before the throne of God, asking the Father to pour out grace upon grace, power upon power, and blessing upon blessing on you. So never give up your hope!

“Holy Spirit, show me the mission that God has for my life. Show me your will, Lord, and keep me faithful to the path that you have planned for me.”

The Mother of Divine Love
(la Madonna del Divino Amore)

Those who have had the privilege of visiting Rome a number of times, no matter how much effort they put towards seeing all they can -- and absorbing all there is to take in -- realize that for every church, chapel or shrine they visit, they passed up 10; for every historical site they study, they miss a dozen.
It is said there are over 700 churches and chapels in Rome alone, so we shouldn't have been surprised during our first several visits to that great city to have missed some of the wonderful shrines that have been erected in the city, as well as in the surrounding area. On our most recent trip to the Holy City we made an effort to visit some of these shrines - and were well rewarded for our efforts.

Just on the edge of what is modern Rome, on the Via Ardeatina, in the area of the Roman Campagna, at some time during the 13th century, was built the Castello del Leone. The Castello, which is now known as the Castel di Leva, was owned by the Savelli-Orsini family.

In 1570, a painted image of the "Mother of Divine Love" was given by Monsignor Cosimo Giustini to a charitable organization known as the Conservatory of St. Caterina della Rosa. For reasons unknown to anyone in our time, the image was positioned on a gate tower of the Castel di Leva, in the same fashion in which a copy of the image still can be seen on the tower (see the picture at right). There the image was venerated by the shepherds, who in winter visited the lonely image to pray while the sheep grazed nearby. For centuries the place was lonely and neglected.

In the spring of 1740, a lone pilgrim was walking on the Appian Way twoard Rome. Hoping to shorten his trip he took what he thought would be a short-cut but lost his way. Seeing farm buildings at a distance he began to make his way toward them in hopes of finding someone to give him directions. In horror, he saw a pack of wild sheepdogs which suddenly appeared from behind a cluster of bushes. The dogs bolted toward him, and the pilgrim, panic-stricken, started to run in the directions of the buildings. The dogs quickly drew nearer, and as they were about to attack, the pilgrim saw the image of Our Lady on the gate tower. "Madonna, help me!" he cried.

Immediately, as though held by an invisible force, the dogs were kept at bay. In a few moments they calmed down, and soon turned and walked peacefully away. The Madonna had intervened at the Castel di Leva for the first of what would turn out to be a long series of extraordinary graces and favors being granted to those who asked for her intercession.

In 1745 a church was built in which the miraculous image was enshrined. The solemn consecration of the church took place on March 31, 1750. The accounts of favors granted by the Mother of Divine Love are so numerous as to be impossible to even begin to recount here. There are two which we will mention here that are quite startling. By the early 20th century the Shrine of the Mother of Divine Love had become extremelly well known. Thus, when in 1935, prior to leaving for the Ethopian War, some 3,000 Italian soldiers recommended their safety to the Madonna, it was not surprising. What was surprising is that despite the numerous casualties that resulted from that war, all 3,000 soldiers who had placed themselves in Our Lady's care returned unharmed!

The Second World War brought occupation to Italy, and with it the threat of vast destruction as liberation by the Allies became imminent. In early 1944, the city of Rome was in grave danger of destruction. At the orders of Pope Pius Xii, the Image of the Mother of Divine Love was moved into the city and carried in pilgrimage to various churches. In the Church of St. Ignatius, on June 4 of that year, the Roman people, praying for deliverance of their city and their personal safety, made a vow to our Lady to renew their lives and to erect a new Shrine -- and to promote charitable works in honor of the Mother of Divine Love. Rome was sparedm, and on June 11, Pope Pius XII went in pilgrimage to the Shrine to pray with the Roman faithful. There he conferred on Our Lady the title of "Savior of the City" which was added to her title of Mother of Divine Love.

Following the war the promises made by the faithful to Our Lady were fulfilled. The new Shrine was begun in 1991. The ancient gate tower is now in a garden area and a replica of the original image of the Mother of Divine Love adorns it in much the same way it was adorned for centuries. Every Saturday night, from Easter through the end of October, a night Pilgrimage on foot takes place. It sets out at midnight from Piazza di Porta Capena, Rome, and reaches the Sanctuary at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning. A similar night Pilgrimage is carried out on 7 December, on the even of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The night pilgrims walk along the famous Via Appia Antica until they reach the church called Quo Vadis, then they turn on Via Ardeatina and continue their way, walking over the Catacombs of St. Callisto and past the Mausoleum of the Ardeatin Dips (Fosse Ardeatine). They bring the petitions for the personal needs, hope and work for the mission of the Church to the feet of the Virgin Mother of Divine Love.

Lk 2:41-51
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
41	And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch.	et ibant parentes eius per omnes annos in Hierusalem in die sollemni paschae
42	And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,	et cum factus esset annorum duodecim ascendentibus illis in Hierosolymam secundum consuetudinem diei festi
43	And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not.	consummatisque diebus cum redirent remansit puer Iesus in Hierusalem et non cognoverunt parentes eius
44	And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.	existimantes autem illum esse in comitatu venerunt iter diei et requirebant eum inter cognatos et notos
45	And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.	et non invenientes regressi sunt in Hierusalem requirentes eum
46	And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions.	et factum est post triduum invenerunt illum in templo sedentem in medio doctorum audientem illos et interrogantem
47	And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.	stupebant autem omnes qui eum audiebant super prudentia et responsis eius
48	And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.	et videntes admirati sunt et dixit mater eius ad illum fili quid fecisti nobis sic ecce pater tuus et ego dolentes quaerebamus te
49	And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?	et ait ad illos quid est quod me quaerebatis nesciebatis quia in his quae Patris mei sunt oportet me esse
50	And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.	et ipsi non intellexerunt verbum quod locutus est ad illos
51	And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.	et descendit cum eis et venit Nazareth et erat subditus illis et mater eius conservabat omnia verba haec in corde suo

One Bread, One Body

All Issues > Volume 20, Number 4

<< Saturday, June 19, 2004 >>

Immaculate Heart of Mary

2 Chronicles 24:17-25

Psalm 89:4-5, 29-34

Luke 2:41-51

View Readings

WHEN “IT” MEANS “THAT”

“His mother said to Him: ‘Son, why have You done this to us? You see that Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow.’ ” —Luke 2:48

When Mary was a teenager, she said to the Lord: “Let it be done unto me” (Lk 1:38). At this, she became the mother of God and seemingly an adulteress expecting execution. Mary’s “it” meant “that.” Next, her “it” meant having her baby in a stable (see Lk 2:7). Soon her “it” meant traveling with Joseph and the baby Jesus in the middle of the night to Egypt (see Mt 2:14). Twelve years later, Mary’s “it” meant losing Jesus at the Passover in Jerusalem (see Lk 2:44-46). This prefigured a Passover about twenty years later when Jesus would become the slain Passover Lamb. At the foot of the cross, Mary would witness His being slain. Mary’s “it” also meant the first Christian Pentecost, her assumption into heaven, and her crowning as the queen of heaven and earth.

The purpose of each human being’s life is to say with Mary: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to God’s word” (see Lk 1:38). Then when we find out the details of this total commitment, we must accept God’s grace to be like Mary and to be faithful to our unconditional commitment to the Lord. Consecrate your life to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Then never turn back (see Lk 9:62).

Prayer: Father, may my commitment to You be total and permanent, as is Your commitment to me.

Promise: “All who heard [Jesus] were amazed at His intelligence and His answers.” —Lk 2:47

Praise: Fred expressed his devotion to Jesus through Mary by joining the Knights of the Immaculata and committing to regular intercession and eucharistic adoration.

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