Saturday June 8, 2024
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY (MEMORIAL)
Office: Memorial, Psalter Week 1
Mass and Preface of the Memorial
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries
Vespers I of the 11th Sunday of the Year
FIRST READING
Do the work of an evangelist, for I am already on the point of being sacrificed. The Lord will award me the crown of righteousness.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:1-8)
Beloved: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 71:8-9.14- 15ab. 16-17.22 (R. 15ab)
R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
with your glory, all the day long.
Do not reject me now that I am old;
when my strength fails do not forsake me. R/.
But as for me, I will always hope,
and praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your justice,
and all the day long of your salvation. R/.
R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.
I will come with praise of your might, O Lord;
I will call to mind your justice, yours, O Lord, alone.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and I proclaim your wonders still. R/.
So I will give you thanks on the lyre
for your faithfulness, O my God.
To you will I sing with the harp,
to you, the Holy One of Israel. R/.
Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who kept the word of God, and pondered it in her heart.
GOSPEL
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke (Luke 2:41-51)
And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 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.” 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?” and they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 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.
The Gospel of the Lord
TODAY’S REFLECTION
The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary follows the day of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Both devotions are closely linked with each other because “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it” (CCC. 964). Mary’s heart is filled with love for her Son and by extension for all of God’s children entrusted to her care by him from the cross. St Augustine tells us that Mary conceived Jesus first in faith, them in her body. Through her flat, the word of God took flesh in the tabernacle of her womb. Her immaculate heart prompted a total giving of herself to God by her loving and humble response: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” Mary is our model. She is the one who hears the word of God and keeps it. Saint Luke tells us: “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Lk 11:21).
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
– Open the eyes of my mind Lord, that I may see as you see, think as you think and choose as you would choose.
– Lord, I beseech you, teach me to submit to your leading.
– It is my desire to do your will. Stamp in my heart the desire to do your will.
– Wisdom come from you; dear Lord teach me to be godly and wise, O Lord.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, you remained steadfast to the will of thy Father even on the cross of death, help me never to deviate from the will and plan of God at that hour when I shall breathe my last. Help me so that your servant may go in peace. May the Virgin Mary, mediatrix of all graces, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
