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

Today's Gospel: Luke 2:41-51

On this Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Gospel tells of Jesus being lost when he was twelve years old. The Holy Family was traveling with a large caravan of people. Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was with friends or relatives in the group. But after a day’s worth of travel, they realize he isn’t. Terrified, they rush back to Jerusalem, only to find Jesus sitting among the teachers in the temple. Jesus quickly dismisses their concern saying,

“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49

There is something so real and human about this story. Any mother can relate to the panic and fear of not knowing where her child is. You lose a child at the park or in a store when they are little. A teenager doesn’t come home when they were supposed to or isn’t answering their texts. An adult child has gone on an adventure or is working a dangerous job, and you don’t know if they are safe. My heart is beating faster simply writing about these scenarios. Worry seems to go hand in hand with being a mother.

Parents of pre-teens and teens can recognize the humanity in Jesus’ answer as well. Yes, He was perfect. He couldn’t sin. And yet, you can almost hear Mary telling this story to St. Luke years after it happened. “Do you know what He said to me? He said I shouldn’t have been looking for Him! Can you believe that?”

Mary kept all these occurrences in her Immaculate Heart, a heart that knows what it is to be a mother. In our times of maternal worry, we can turn to her and know that she understands.

 

Ponder:

 

The next time you are worried about a child, how can you bring that worry to Jesus and Mary in prayer rather than simply being stuck in a loop of panic?

 

Pray:


Blessed Mother, you know what it is to be a worried mother. Please watch over both my children and me and keep us always in your loving care.

 

Click to tweet:
There is something so real and human about this story. Any mother can relate to the panic and fear of not knowing where her child is. #DailyGospel

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2023 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

About the Author

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a master’s degree in applied theology and is the author of The Power of Forgiveness, Our Lady of La Salette: A Mother Weeps for Her Children, and The Life and Lessons of St. Zelie Martin. A mother of three, she is the editor of TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com as well as a freelance writer and editor.