Daily Gospel Reflection for June 12, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Kerri Baunach

Today's Gospel: Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Luke 2:41-51

Before becoming a parent, my focus in this Gospel reading was always on the scene in the temple itself: Jesus among the elders, Mary asking Jesus why He is there, Jesus answering her. Now, as a parent, my perspective has shifted causing me to consider this passage in a different light.

I can’t imagine traveling for a whole day with all my family and friends, expecting my son to be in the group yet not finding him. Then turning back to Jerusalem another day’s journey. I wonder at the mention of three days Joseph and Mary looked for him. Is that three days looking in Jerusalem in addition to the two travel days; or, was it one additional day in the city to make three total days? Whether five days or three, it’s way too long to be missing your child.

I wonder how Mary felt. Did her blood pressure rise? Was she frantic? Did Joseph have to console her? It’s easy to read this story and forget the emotions Mary was experiencing. We read her question to Jesus in a calm tone because we know how it turns out. But is that really how she asked? We are not told more details of their reunion. I imagine that she embraced him and didn’t let go for a good long time. I can picture Joseph reminding her that they needed to get going.

Is this projection on my part, putting my own emotions into this situation? Mary, after all is Immaculate, she has a deep trust in God, and she knows her son is the Son of God. Maybe she was calmer in this situation than I would be. Her complete trust in God is a lesson for me to remain calm even in distressing times.

Ponder:

How do you respond to sorrowful or distressing events? Can Mary help you react with more trust in God for a good outcome?

Pray:

Lord, help me to trust more in You. and may Mary be my role model in all things. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Mary's complete trust in God is a lesson for me to remain calm even in distressing times. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Kerri Baunach

Kerri Baunach lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and three boys, whom she homeschools part-time. She’s a Benedictine Oblate with the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in southern Indiana and is a former writer and editor at CatholicSistas.com.