Daily Readings for June 9, 2018

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1st READING 

We cannot question God’s will. He has the power to do what He wants. However, He gives us the freedom to cooperate with His will. As we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us ponder on Mary in whom God found a heart and mind that are one with His. Let us pray for an obedient heart and mind just like Mary’s, so that we do what God asks of us.

Isaiah 61:9-11 (or 2 Timothy 4:1-8)

9 Thus says the Lord: Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them as a race the Lord has blessed. 10 I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. 11 As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

P S A L M 

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8 (or Psalm 71:8-9, 14-15, 16-17, 22)

R: My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

1 “My heart exults in the Lord, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory.” (R) 4 “The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength. 5 The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes.” (R) 6 “The Lord puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts.” (R) 8 “He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage.” (R)

GOSPEL

One of the biblical images of the heart is that it is the place where we store good things. The problem is that we also allow regrets, resentments, and hurts to dwell there . Jesus wants us to let go of our hurts and allow His love to heal us. He wants us to let go of resentments and let His mercy transform us. Do we welcome God into our lives as Mary did with her “yes”?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart. 

Luke 2:41-51 (or Mark 12:38-44)

41 Each year Jesus’parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, 42 and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. 43 After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, 47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.