The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Refers to her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections,

and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father,

her maternal love for her son Jesus Christ,

and her motherly and compassionate love for all mankind.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

 1 Kings 19: 19-21

Elijah left. He found Elisha,

Son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth.

Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah and said,

"Let me say goodbye to my father and mother; then I will follow you." Elijah said to him,

"Return if you want, don't worry about what I did." However,

Elisha turned back, took the yoke of oxen and slew them.

He roasted their meat on the pieces of the yoke and gave it to his people who ate of it.

After this, he followed Elijah and began ministering to him.

 

Ps 16:1b-2a & 5,7-8, 9-10

 Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 2:41-51

Every year, the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary.

And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast.

After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents did not know it.

They assumed that he was in their group of travelers, and, after walking the whole day,

they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem,

searching for him; and, on the third day, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers,

listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

 

His parents were very surprised when they saw him; and his mother said to him,

"Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you."

Then he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

But they did not understand this answer.

Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be obedient to them.

As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

His mission was to fulfill the Father's will.

When Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple, he gently asks, "Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" The last phrase can also be translated as,

"Did you not know that I must be about my Father's work?" Even at a young age,

Jesus deeply understood his purpose and identity, knowing his mission was to fulfill the Father's will.

 

We Christians are called to share in this commitment to engage in our Father's work.

Our lives should reflect a desire to seek God's will, serve His purposes, and spread His love.

Just as Jesus was devoted to the Father's mission, we are invited to prioritize God's work every day,

embodying the Gospel values of truth, reconciliation, and love. Let us not be distracted by worldly pursuits

but strive to live faithfully, knowing that our true calling is to continue the mission of the Lord Jesus

and immerse ourselves in our Father's work wherever He places us.