First Reading
Isaiah 61:9-11
The descendants of my people shall be known among the nations, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Responsorial Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Saviour.
My hearts exults in the Lords;
My strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
Because I rejoice in your salvation. R
The bows of the mighty are broken,
But the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired
Themselves out for bread,
But those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
But she who has many children is forlorn. R
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Saviour.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
He brings down to sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low, he also exalts. R
He raises up the poor from the dust;
He lifts the needy from the dung heap,
To make them sit with princes
And inherit a seat of honour. R
Acclamation: Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who kept the word of God, and pondered it in her heart.
Second Reading
Luke 2:41-51
The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 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 them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
Today’s Reflection
A mother’s heart is a reservoir of love, care, generosity, compassion, understanding, sacrifice, and suffering. Mary is a Mother who went through ineffable pain and indescribable ordeal to keep alive her YES to God. Simeon had foretold that a sword would pierce her heart. Yet she stood in faith, enveloped in her love for God and her child. She knew for sure, it was not her Son who should grow toward her but she who had to grow deeper toward him to understand all that she treasured in her heart. In every step that Jesus took in his life toward the fulfilment of his Father’s will for us, Mary accompanied him even to the cross, participating in his self-sacrificing offering for the redemption of the world. May the immaculate heart of Mary ever intercede for us.