First reading Isaiah 61:1-3
He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring good news to the poor,
to bind up hearts that are broken;
to proclaim liberty to captives,
freedom to those in prison;
to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord,
a day of vengeance for our God,
to comfort all those who mourn and to give them
for ashes a garland;
for mourning robe the oil of gladness,
for despondency, praise.
Responsorial Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your dynasty for ever
and set up your throne through all ages.
‘I have found David my servant
and with my holy oil anointed him.
My hand shall always be with him
and my arm shall make him strong.
‘My truth and my love shall be with him;
by my name his might shall be exalted.
He will say to me: “You are my father,
my God, the rock who saves me.”’
Gospel Luke 10:1-9
Your peace will rest on that man
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’
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Imitating Mary’s heart
Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the Gospel, we see Mary and Joseph anxiously search for their lost son, Jesus, for three days before finding Him in the Temple. Mary expresses her concern to Jesus with the words of any parent, “My child, why have you done this to us?” Jesus responds, “Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?” His answer likely caused her pain and confusion, yet she remains trusting in God and stores all these things in her heart.
The heart of Mary is not spared from sadness, uncertainty or fear. It is a heart that meets them with trusting faith. Today, we are invited to respond to life as Mother Mary did. When we find that Jesus is “lost” in our lives, we keep on searching for Him. When we are confused and scared, we do not give up but keep ourselves rooted in prayer. When we worry about a loved one in our family, we place them in the Father’s care. May we embrace each joy and challenge with a heart full of trust.
Reflective question:
Do I struggle to have a trusting, pondering heart like Mary’s, due to my tendency to control and give in to fear?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
