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Saturday, June 17, 2023

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Immaculate Heart of Mary


2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Luke 2:41-51
or Matthew5:33-37

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when “it” means “that”

“His mother said to Him: ‘Son, why have You done this to us? You see that Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow.’ ” —Luke 2:48

When Mary was a teenager, she said to the Lord: “Let it be done unto me” (Lk 1:38). At this, she became the mother of God and seemingly an adulteress risking execution. Mary’s “it” meant “that”. Next, her “it” meant having her Baby in a stable (see Lk 2:7). Soon her “it” meant traveling with Joseph and the baby Jesus in the middle of the night to Egypt (see Mt 2:14). Twelve years later, Mary’s “it” meant being separated from Jesus for three days at the Passover in Jerusalem (see Lk 2:44-46). This prefigured a Passover about twenty years later when Jesus would become the slain Passover Lamb. At the foot of the cross, Mary would witness her Son Jesus being slain. Mary’s “it” also meant the first Christian Pentecost, her assumption into heaven, and her crowning as the Queen of heaven and earth.

The purpose of each person’s life is to say with Mary: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to God’s word” (see Lk 1:38). Then when we find out the details of this fidelity, we must accept God’s grace to be like Mary and be faithful to our unconditional commitment to the Lord. Consecrate your life to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Then never turn back (see Lk 9:62).

Prayer:  Father, may my commitment to You be total and permanent, as is Your commitment to me.

Promise:  “All who heard [Jesus] were amazed at His intelligence and His answers.” —Lk 2:47

Praise:  Walter was not able to have victory over sexual temptations until he consecrated himself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Reference:  (For a related teaching on Redemptive Suffering, listen to, download or order our CD 75-1 or DVD 75 on our website.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.